Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member and UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is once again taking a unique step in honouring the success of its graduates by selecting the site of Expo 2020 Dubai, the largest event ever held in the Arab world, as the venue for the class of 2021 graduation ceremony. The commemoration will be held at the magnificent Al Wasl Plaza, where graduates get to enjoy the special occasion alongside their classmates, family, friends, and loved ones.

Canadian University Dubai: 11th Graduation Ceremony

Under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan bin Mabarak, Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is honouring the success of its graduates at Expo 2020 Dubai, Al Wasl Plaza.

Inside Expo_New

Architecture II: Al Wasl Plaza

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EXHIBITOR Magazine's World Expo Awards

EXHIBITOR Magazine Announces World Expo Award Winners

Al Wasl Plaza

Al Wasl 

Notice the Expo logo at the centre of Al Wasl Plaza's oculus.

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Experience a towering structure under which the Leaning Tower of Pisa could fit.

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Al Wasl Plaza Images

The Opening Ceremony: A Story of Hope

Expo 2020 Dubai, the first Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region in the 170 years of World Expo history, opened with a celebration of global togetherness and optimism. Spectacular storytelling, performances, fireworks, and immersive projections on the dome of Al Wasl, the heart of Expo 2020, all told a story of collaboration and hope for the future, echoing Expo 2020 Dubai's theme of "Connecting Minds, Creating the Future". Global artists joining in the celebration included Andrea Bocelli, Ellie Goulding, Lang Lang and Mohammed Abdu.

Description 

General view of Al Wasl Plaza 

The first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, Expo 2020 opened with a celebration of global connection and hope for the future.

Jaw-dropping immersive projections beginning with the fiery birth of our planet.

A celebration of the majesty of nature, both underwater and on land.

Incredible local and international performers.

Image Gallery

Expo 2020 Dubai Opening Ceremony

Long ago, travellers referred to Dubai as Al Wasl, or “the connection” – a name that reflects the area’s heritage as a meeting point. This spirit of coming together takes shape in Al Wasl Plaza, Expo 2020’s spectacular centrepiece and gathering ground for celebration and wonder. 

Situated at the meeting point of Expo’s three thematic districts, Al Wasl Plaza's dome is tall enough to fit the Leaning Tower of Pisa beneath it. By night, she transforms into a 360-degree projection screen, blanketed by more than 250 state-of-the-art projectors. Al Wasl Plaza is a hub for visitors and the vibrant heart of our Expo.

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Daily performances, national day ceremonies and more

Al Wasl Dome Projections

Immersive 360-degree domed projection screen

Al Wasl exterior

Lush garden spaces for relaxation and connection

Al Wasl features

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Al Wasl Plaza 360

Al Wasl Plaza is 130 metres in diameter and more than 67 metres tall. Delicate-looking despite its titanic scale, her pattern is inspired by our Expo's logo, which is fully visible at the oculus.

and magical

Extraordinary

The life force of the Expo 2020 site, Al Wasl Plaza proudly carries the old name of Dubai.

The beating heart of Expo 2020

A series of immersive 360° videos of Al Wasl's projection shows that put you centre stage for each stunning performance. 

DUBAI, 12 October 2021. Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl, Expo 2020 Dubai. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Expo 2020 Dubai)


Underwater Harmony performance at Al Wasl

Al Wasl Plaza 360° Immersive Experiences

The Beating Heart of Expo 2020

The Beating Heart of Expo

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His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan (C), UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai during the Canadian University of Dubai Graduation Ceremony at Al Wasl m32888

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai speaks during the Canadian University of Dubai Graduation Ceremony at Al Wasl m32895

His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai speaks during the Canadian University of Dubai Graduation Ceremony at Al Wasl m32905

Performance during the Canadian University of Dubai Graduation Ceremony at Al Wasl m32890

Performance during the Canadian University of Dubai Graduation Ceremony at Al Wasl m32892

Performance during the Canadian University of Dubai Graduation Ceremony at Al Wasl m32893

The American University in the Emirates will be celebrating the success of its students as they host an extra special graduation ceremony, live from the Jubilee Stage at Expo 2020 Dubai. 

American University in the Emirates Graduation Ceremony

See 450 students from the American University in the Emirates graduate live on the Jubilee Stage.

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With a striking design inspired by fossilised sand dunes, Jubilee Stage is an open-air festival stage. Located in Jubilee Park, it hosts performances and large concerts.

Jubilee Stage

Who better to guide young viewers through the Mobility Pavilion story than Alif, the guardian of Mobility? Learn about the past, present and future of mobility. Interactive sessions make the tour even more fun!

Mobility Student Tour with Alif

Alif is definitely the leader of the guardians – or at least he thinks so. This shapeshifting robot will always get you where you need to go, whether you’re digging to the core of the Earth or surfing stardust on cosmic waves.

Alif

Learn about the past, present and future of mobility. 

Inside Expo: The Evolution of Robots

Inside Expo: Redefining Mobility I: Not Just Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Inside Expo: Redefining Mobility II: The Giants of Mobility

The Powerhouse Pavilions

Alif Pavilion

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Alif 

In today’s hyperconnected world, mobility is more important than ever – so what better way to embody this than through a visionary structure that looks ready to take flight? With its space-age contours and awe-inspiring exhibits, Alif – The Mobility Pavilion offers visitors an immersive journey through the spectrum of human movement. 

But Mobility – one of Expo’s three main subthemes – is also about moving ideas. Take the lift to the pavilion’s top floor and undertake a voyage into the often-invisible ways that mobility unites us, from the campfire of a nomadic Bedouin all the way through the ultra-connected cities of humanity’s future.


Visitors ride the world’s largest passenger lift, which can transport more than 160 people at a time. The Bedouin girl in the middle of the lift is illuminated, reaching up towards the stars, symbolising the desire to reach new heights.

The world’s largest passenger lift 

Nine-metre-tall photo-realistic giants of mobility from the golden age of Arab civilisation, including 15th Century seafarer and navigator Ibn Majid, 11th Century historian and geographer Al-Bakri, and 14th Century explorer Ibn Battuta.

The giants of early exploration

Future cities merging imagination and design are dreamed up by children and projected an immersive space that explores the limitless possibilities that lay ahead for mankind

Immersive virtual installations   

Features

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Timelapse: Alif – The Mobility Pavilion

Videos

Mobility Pavilion 360

The heart-pounding motion of speeding ideas and vehicles alike take shape in Alif – The Mobility Pavilion: a ribbed, curvy, three-sided structure wrapped in highly reflective stainless steel metal cladding, inspired by chrome fenders and aircraft wings. Alif's mirror-like surface captures movement, making the building seem alive and in motion. 

Mobility Pavilion

ready to take flight

A visionary structure 

The Mobility Pavilion 

Watch the creation of Alif - The Mobility Pavilion as it rises out of the desert sands.

Timelapse

Timelapse of Alif

Children's Adventure Tour: Mobility Pavilion with Robot Guardian Alif

A panel discussion bringing to light innovative solutions and various technologies that can help capture and grow students’ excitement to learn.

 Helping schools make learning fun and meaningful

A panel discussion bringing to light innovative solutions and technologies that can help capture and grow students’ excitement to learn.

Dubai: ‘Expo Live’ benefits 5.8 million people worldwide

Expo 2020 Dubai to fund small start-ups with big impact

Inside Expo: The Future of Wellness

The Good Place - Audio Guide

The Good Place by Expo Live Pavilion

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The Good Place Image Gallery

In February 1968, this nation's founding fathers met under a desert tent and shared an idea that would turn into something truly great: the United Arab Emirates. Animated by this spirit of collaboration, The Good Place by Expo Live is an exhibition space dedicated to showcasing human potential and those who work to advance it – through the Expo Live innovation and partnership programme and beyond.

With a design inspired by the tent where the UAE was conceived, the pavilion showcases social innovations conceived to improve our lives. Come and meet ordinary people doing extraordinary things – and be inspired to join our global community.


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Designed by renowned Emirati architect Ahmad Abdulrahman Bukhash, The Good Place’s structure expands the Bedouin tent shape into an elegant white canopy, folded with seven origami-like angles on each side to join at a tall peak. The tent seems to float over a clean, glass box. 

The Good Place by Expo Live

Bedouin tent 

An elevated

By Expo Live

The Good Place

Knowledge drives our global community to innovate for a better future, be it advances in medicine, sustainability, technology and more. Our planet’s rich diversity brings forward the importance of creating, storing and transferring knowledge which spans across geographies, cultures and generations. 
During this Theme Week, Expo will present and celebrate the knowledge, culture and heritage of all our participating nations, bringing them together under the UAE’s Golden Jubilee theme of Human Solidarity. Topics of discussion will include intangible and tangible heritage, creative industries, and knowledge economies, among other things. 


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How do we harness and challenge our knowledge today to prepare for the future?

Skills Development and Vocational Training

Informal and Traditional Knowledge Systems

Dubai values education as the key to helping its youngest citizens take charge of the future. Expo 2020’s host city extends that mission across the globe with Dubai Cares, a dynamic philanthropic organisation that helps children in developing countries access quality learning opportunities. At the Dubai Cares Pavilion, learn about the transformative power of education and the unique challenges facing future generations through a series of playful, immersive activities designed to engage the whole family. Sit in a futuristic learning pod, take photos in a comics-inspired exhibit and find out how you can help grow the Dubai Cares movement.

Dubai Cares Pavilion

Knowledge & Learning Week

Canada

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Canada Carousel

From its people to its sweeping terrain, Canada is a nation of astounding diversity. With its circular design based on the drum, an instrument found across all the world’s cultures, the Canada Pavilion at Expo 2020 celebrates the unity of its diverse inhabitants, as well as their bright shared future.

From outside, the pavilion impresses with its encircling wooden lattice, which evokes Canada’s natural landscapes while paying homage to the geometry of Islamic mashrabiya screens. But the wonder truly begins within, as an immersive theatre experience takes you on a stirring tour of Canada’s land, peoples and technological innovations.


Novel exhibits featuring interactive shafts of light

Celebration of Canada’s diverse people and landscapes

Canada Features

Canada Logo

The Canada Pavilion evokes the shape of a drum for its commanding, elegant Expo pavilion. Hundreds of pieces of Canadian lumber form a round lattice of diamond-like shapes that pays homage to the captivating geometry of Arabic mashrabiya screens. The massive disc seems to hover weightless over the pavilion’s central core, which is also decorated with wood.

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of unity

A universal symbol 

Canada Pavilion

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UK Image Gallery

Inspired by British physicist Stephen Hawking, who challenged humanity to ponder how we might express ourselves to alien civilisations, the UK Pavilion invites visitors to contribute to a unique linguistic experiment. While exploring this cone-shaped structure, which showcases the UK’s contributions to space science and artificial intelligence, you can add your own words to the pavilion’s neural network. A language-generating algorithm then processes these entries into an ever-changing “poem” that will be displayed on the pavilion’s LED façade, providing an inspiring collective message to Expo 2020, our planet and maybe even worlds beyond.

The awe-inspiring UK Pavilion is an epic, 20-metre-tall, cone-shaped structure compiled of rows of horizontal timber slats that stretch forward to create a circular form. The end of each slat houses a LED panel that emits phrases that link to form an ever-changing interstellar message crafted by artificial intelligence and Expo visitors. 

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A visionary

United Kingdom

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Known for its advanced education system and sophisticated social outlook, Uruguay has long been seen as a nation of forward-thinkers in political and economic spheres. The nation’s pavilion has a good news story to share with Expo 2020: one that includes an economy that has been liberalised in recent decades, opening up the country to new investment and economic opportunities. Discover this land of sun-soaked coastline and lush grasslands, and learn how Uruguay works to balance its economic progress with responsible, sustainable development to protect these natural gifts.


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Uruguay Pavilion

Argentina logo

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From the stunning subtropical Iguazú Falls in the north to icy Tierra del Fuego in the south, from giant sizzling steaks to tasty mate tea, from tango dances to gaucho cowboys, Argentina excels in natural wonders, food, culture and so much more. The Argentina Pavilion at Expo 2020 offers the full panorama of what this South American gem has to offer. Tour the pavilion’s immersive space to take in the vibrant sights and distinctive sounds of Argentina’s landscapes and culture, then be sure to taste a sample of authentic Argentine cuisine and produce.


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Argentina Pavilion

David Crellin

Federico Bello

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Expo Live Impact Series: Helping Schools Make Learning Fun and Meaningful

Back in 2015, United Nations unveiled the Sustainable Development Goals as a means to work towards a better future. Expo 2020 Dubai’s purpose embodies the two main pillars of these goals: sustainability and opportunity. The global COVID-19 pandemic has further proved the urgency of this global agenda. As this mega-event takes place, Expo 2020 Dubai will become the center of commitment and action in ensuring that no one is left behind. The Leave No One Behind Track of Expo 2020 Dubai's Programme for People and Planet features a tapestry of event series that spotlight the importance of opportunity for all, gender equality and much more.

Catalysing Opportunity for All

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Leave No One Behind

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Expo Live's Impact Series highlights the impact of social and environmental innovations. Taking place at The Good Place by Expo Live Pavilion, Expo Live Global Innovators join change-makers around the world to discuss their visions towards collective action and meaningful change.

Description

Join a dialogue about social innovations and their impact showcasing Expo Live Global Innovators.