London, Nov 23 (IANS/WAM): The UAE has opened a new building in the memory of its founding father, late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS).

The Zayed Building was inaugurated by Dubai crown prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Hamdan is himself a graduate of the academy.

The UAE donated 880 million dirhams ($240 million) for the construction of the building, in recognition of the fact that Sandhurst was one of the first international educational institutions to accept UAE students, and has been doing so for four decades.

The four entrances of the premises are decorated with the colours of the UAE flag while the main entrance is adorned with seven columns carrying the names of the seven emirates of the UAE.

Sheikh Hamdan also met six UAE cadets -- four men and two women. The women are the first from the UAE to join the academy. So far, 210 UAE cadets have graduated from Sandhurst.