A Moment With
A Moment With Nasif Kayed
Managing Director
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid CentrE for Cultural Understanding
I
n late January 2015, a tour of the
Old Dubai area brought the Teach
UAE Magazine team to the Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Rashid Center for
Cultural Understanding (SMCCU). We
were fortunate to meet the inimitable
and personable Nasif Kayed, who
hosted a fantastic brunch during which
he animatedly regaled us with rich
cultural anecdotes.
Nasif has enjoyed an extensive career
as an entrepreneur who has developed
a number of successful businesses. He
has turned his sights to philanthropy
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and is presently the managing director
at SMCCU.
The aim of SMCCU is to promote
awareness and understanding of
the local culture among visitors and
residents of Dubai. Established in
1998, SMCCU has grown into a hub
for open cultural discussions. It is
considered a first stop for many who
are either visiting or beginning their
residence here. SMCCU sets the
stage for their experience in the UAE,
learning firsthand about the culture
and dispelling common myths or
After The Bell
preconceptions that one might have
about the ‘why’ behind the traditions,
religious practices, and culture in this
region.
Below Nasif answers some important
questions relating to the SMCCU and
the culture of the region.
The education landscape
of the UAE has changed
significantly over the years,
what are two major changes