University Of Dubai Opens Registration For Fall Semester

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The University of Dubai (UD), a university in the UAE established by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, is now accepting registration for Fall Semester of the academic year 2011/2012 and admission will be limited to 200 students only.

UD will accept registration and admission for secondary school graduates only to maintain the institution’s high quality education standards. UD is the first private university in the UAE recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and its degree programs are accredited by two distinguished international accreditations such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

UD’s College of Business Administration is one among the five percent of business schools worldwide accredited by AACSB and no other private university in UAE managed to earn such accreditation prior to UD. The same applies to its Computing and Information Systems program which has earned the accreditation by ABET for each of its concentration making it the only university in the Middle East to earn such accreditation.

Dr Omar Hefni, UD President, said: “We are the only university in the UAE that requires our students to have a 2.25 GPA to graduate. This has a strong emphasis from the employers’ side as we believe that quality education affects performance at the work place. The academic programs of our schools provide students an opportunity to pursue the benefits of the best quality education and hands-on skills. We have improved our curriculum to meet labor market needs and in turn provide our students with opportunity to get jobs. Being part of the Dubai Chamber provides our students internship opportunities locally and internationally as well as provides us with access to the organizations in the business community that represents the membership of the Chamber.”

The university follows the US education system and its curriculum focuses on team work, critical thinking, communication, creativity and innovation, and problem solving in addition to specialized know-how in the student’s area of specialization. They emphasize strict monitoring and control of performance of students, faculty and staff which help in taking immediate corrective actions as well as in future planning process.

The faculty and staff of the university is very much involved in research and in order to facilitate this, each faculty member is entitled to three credit hour release time out of 12 regular required teaching load. This will provide each faculty the opportunity to attend international, local and regional conferences.

To satisfy labor market requirements, UD has MBA programs in Operations and Logistics Management, Finance and Accounting, International Business and Marketing, and Leadership and Human Resources Management.

UD’s Fall Semester will start on September 10, 2011. For more information on the registration, visit UD’s website: www.ud.ac.ae or call +971 4 224 2472 Ex. 606/609.
 

The Canadian University Of Dubai Becomes The First Foreign University In The UAE To Offer A Bachelor Of Science Program In English And Arabic

Canadian University of Dubai (CUD), recently announced that it’s planning to launch a four-year program in communications leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Communications for students who want to specialise in either journalism (print and electronic), advertising or public relations. The new program stands out as students have the option to choose either English or Arabic as the medium of instruction, making Canadian University of Dubai the UAE’s first foreign university to offer this program in both languages. This complements the university’s goal of offering courses that are responsive to the needs and requirements of potential students.

CUD has designed the new course to serve as a springboard into a wide variety of public relations, journalism and multimedia careers, while preparing students to work on all media platforms and familiarising them with the latest IT and multimedia tools. Students will be offered core courses and electives, including: Principles of Writing for the Media, Communication Theories, News Reporting, Designing Media Messages, Public Opinion, and so on. Students will also be given a chance to do a practicum.

"The introduction of advanced communication technologies has significantly changed the way people communicate with each other. This in turn has altered the interrelations of societies in the social, cultural, economic and educational spheres. In light of these changes, Canadian University of Dubai wishes to introduce the new undergraduate program in Communication, which will serve as a tool in developing a new generation of well-qualified communicators who are capable of understanding and customising the ideas and tools of the information age to serve the interests of the community," said Dr. Muhammed Kabir, Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Canadian University of Dubai.

“By offering the course in Arabic and English we are reaching out to a wider student community and giving them an opportunity to become experts in the communications domain,” he added.

Upon completion of all degree requirements, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication. Graduates will be equipped with skills and knowledge to enter professional fields such as publishing, editing, production, planning and research, while they may also find jobs in any communication capacity in areas as varied as diplomacy, business, government, non-profit agencies, professional associations, healthcare companies and international organisations.

The Canadian University of Dubai is also planning to launch a four-year Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Translation degree program. This course is designed to equip individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in translation and interpreting in such environments such as television and radio, government offices, foreign embassies, courts, colleges, universities and other organisations that demand translation skills and services.

Established in 2006, the Canadian University of Dubai consists of the School of Business Administration, School of Architecture and Interior Design, School of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, and School of Environment and Health, and School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The university currently offers 17 programs accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research with six more programs currently under development. At present, CUD serves more than 1,755 students from more than 86 nationalities. CUD is strategically located in the heart of Dubai’s financial, business and tourist district, behind the Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road.
 

University Of Dubai Concludes Entrepreneurship And Business Plan Development Workshop

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The Center for Management & Professional Development (CMPD) at the University of Dubai (UD), a prestigious university in the UAE established by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has concluded the “Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Development” workshop for 19 women entrepreneurs who successfully trained on business management skills.

A ceremony felicitating the participants was held recently at the Dubai Chamber with three of the participants receiving awards for the best business plans. The three month training is part of Joint Venture for Finance & Entrepreneurship (JVFE), which was established in January 2005 as a joint venture between UD and the Citi Foundation. The JVFE aims at addressing the entrepreneurial qualifications of women through specialized and focused workshops.

Dr. Omar Hefni, President of UD, said: “JVFE has proven to be a unique proposition designed to address UAE’s labor market need for the right talent, and to enhance entrepreneurial skills. The Entrepreneurship & business plan preparation workshop has opened doors for not only Emiratis but also expatriate women who have now got closer to realizing their dreams of a small start up. This initiative is an evidence of the city foundation’s social response to the communities in which they operate.”

Usha Saraf, Manager, CMPD at University of Dubai said: “I can proudly say that this is a one of a kind program being delivered in this region. Although it is the seventh consecutive year, the content of the program has evolved considerably with every passing year making it more relevant, practical and hands-on with full applied content. The rigor of the program demands that participants as well as the trainers (who are industry practitioners) are pushed to yield results and the quality of the individual business plans submitted speak for itself. It is extremely rewarding to be instrumental in enabling the women to realize their potential and in turn contributing directly to the economy of the country.”

The program covered topics such as screening of business ideas, understanding the industry and competition, elements of marketing and understanding how consumers buy, importance of cash management, product pricing, various marketing dimensions, how to do simple market research, cash flow management, financial planning, business plan development, putting the plan to work, and looking at ethical and legal concerns as well as the regulatory environment.

This year’s program expanded its training activities to cover further workshops on how to Become A Highly Effective Women Leader and how to Effectively Use Social Media as a Marketing Tool, among other topics. These enable entrepreneurs to develop essential management and life skills, and to access the greater women entrepreneur network in the UAE.
 

Canadian University Of Dubai Holds Its Inaugural Graduation Ceremony

The Canadian University of Dubai (CUD), a leading university, research and teaching institution in the UAE, held today (May 31, 2011) its Inaugural Graduation Ceremony at the Mina A’Salam, Madinat Jumeirah. Held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the ceremony awarded degrees to 200 candidates from the schools of Engineering, Applied Sciences and Technology, the School of Business Administration and MBA.

Honoured guests at the ceremony included the former Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Joseph (Joe) Clark who received a Doctorate of Letters Honoris Causa.

Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, Chancellor of the Canadian University of Dubai said: "We are proud to support our community. These graduates are now ready to take on more challenging roles in society and to pursue higher academic qualifications, which we hope will help them further push the boundaries of knowledge and understanding. With the values and quality of learning they have attained at Canadian University of Dubai, we are confident that these graduates will not only become highly productive individuals, but also make huge contributions to the social and economic development of our society."

Prof. Karim Chelli, President and Vice Chancellor of the Canadian University of Dubai added: "As the Canadian University of Dubai moves forward to the new academic year, we are excited to launch new programs in Communication in both Arabic and English, which we believe will eventually become among the most popular academic programs in our portfolio. We will continue to look for opportunities to further strengthen our academic offerings and contribute in enhancing the quality of education in the UAE and in the rest of the region."

Canadian University of Dubai currently offers courses in five schools: School of Engineering, Applied Sciences and Technology, School of Business, School of Environment and Health Sciences, School of Architecture and Interior Design, and School of Liberal Arts. In the School of Business, the university offers various undergraduate and master degree programs.

Prof. Chelli revealed that the School of Business is the most popular among incoming students, while architecture and interior design has been achieving the biggest growth rates with the number of enrolling students rising. Programs in Mass Communication in Arabic and English are poised to be extremely successful and in high demand throughout the UAE.

CUD currently has a student body of more than 1755 students enrolled in its academic and corporate training programs; from more than 86 nationalities, reflecting the diverse multiculturalism of Canada and the UAE. CUD promotes Canadian perspectives in learning with a grounded appreciation and respect for UAE values. The Canadian University of Dubai is committed to providing students with an international academic experience, guided by the highest educational and corporate ethics.

CUD is strategically located in the heart of Dubai’s financial, business and tourist district; behind the Shangri-La Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road.
 

University Of Dubai Awards Students And Organizations At The Annual SLAC Ceremony

The University of Dubai (UD), a prestigious university in the UAE established by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has recognized students and organizations that contributed and supported the Department of Student Services (DSS).

The Student Life Awards Ceremony (SLAC) is a remarkable event held annually to honor those, whose contributions to the university community showed outstanding performance and commitment. The main objective of the event is to appreciate and recognize every effort done to support the DSS at the University of Dubai throughout the academic year. Students, clubs, organizations, faculty and staff were rewarded based on certain criteria set by the SLAC committee.

At the ceremony, organizers of successful events and individuals who took leadership positions in all aspects of student life such as the University of Dubai Student Union (UDSU), student clubs and sports teams were granted awards and certificates in recognition of their positive involvement. DSS also recognized its partners from different industries and business sectors that offered distinguished student services at all levels throughout the academic year.

Such unique event has become the landmark achievement for the University of Dubai as one of its known traditions in promoting all dimensions of quality and valuable candidates.

Dr M. Omar Hefni, President of UD, presented the awards, certificates and gifts to the awardees / winners. He said: “The event was very successful because it was a great gathering for students, the faculty and staff and it helped in strengthening the bond between them. The ceremony also celebrated the achievements of the students and the organizations that were working together in order to deliver successful events and activities organized by the community.”
 

International Culture And Art Showcased At Canadian University Of Dubais Global Day

The Canadian University of Dubai, a leading university in research and teaching recently celebrated their fourth annual Global Day event held on April 23, 2011. The event served as a platform for students to showcase the essence of their respective cultures through a series of entertaining dance performances and fashion shows, in addition to stalls that featured various food items and cultural artefacts.

“The Canadian University of Dubai prides itself for catering to students from 80 plus nationalities, which reaffirms our continuing focus to provide students with an international academic experience, guided by the highest educational and corporate ethics. “The annual Global Day event that we organise is a manifestation of the university’s cultural vibrancy and international appeal,” said Dr. Mohammed Kabir, Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Canadian University of Dubai.
 

Du Signs Exclusive Agreement With Mohammed Bin Rashid School For Communication At The American University In Dubai

Uniting to broaden educational horizons for students in the UAE, du today signed an agreement with Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC) at the American University in Dubai (AUD) to provide a high-speed 100 Mbps broadband internet connection to students. The agreement was signed by du CEO Osman Sultan and Ali M Jaber, Dean of Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication at AUD. The high-speed internet connection will enable AUD MBRSC to offer real-time video streaming for education and training purposes, and meet its other internet-based needs.

“We are delighted to support the Mohammed bin Rashid School for Communication at AUD, which is emerging as a leading school in the field of mass media and communication. Supporting education is at the heart of our CSR strategy, and using our expertise in telecoms we are striving to enhance and improve the development of young people in the UAE. By offering a superior internet connectivity we believe AUD MBRSC students will be able to connect with the world quickly and efficiently,” commented Osman Sultan, Chief Executive Officer, du.

du’s 100 Mbps broadband connection will be used to support the new multimedia programmes that AUD MBRSC will be offering. These programmes involve digital editing and productions, multimedia streaming, film editing and uploading, broadcasting and online multimedia learning and teaching. The enhanced connectivity will meet the school’s bandwidth-intensive activities, including video streaming, remote access and interactivity.

The communication field is probably the fastest developing field in the world. Keeping up with its rapid transformation is the duty of every academic institution keen on providing proper journalism and communication education.

“Internet and new media, we believe, will be the backbone of every communication platform in the near future, and therefore it is only natural for us to seek partnership with du – one the most prominent telecommunication company in the Arab world, to provide us with the required bandwidth that will enable our students to explore the new capabilities modern technology will bring. Our students will be on an information super highway that will enable them among other things to converse via video and attend distance learning classes in crisp quality,” commented Ali M Jaber, Dean, Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication at AUD.

An average household in Dubai uses about 1 MB of internet link and a small to medium sized company in Dubai would use around 30-50 MB. Therefore, 100 Mbps will change the way communication is taught and allow the MBRSC students at AUD to further their education in Communication and Information Studies with on-the-spot downloads and smooth and quick internet browsing while in class.

 

University Of Dubais Center For Management Professional Development Offering Groundbreaking Programs

The Center for Management & Professional Development (CMPD) at the University of Dubai (UD) has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment, (CISI) UK as a training provider for its range of CISI qualifications.

Formed as a not-for-profit membership body out of the London Stock Exchange in 1992, CISI is a leading global professional organization for individuals working in the securities and investment industry. International Certificate in Investment Management, International Certificate in Wealth Management, Islamic Finance Qualifications, International Introduction to Investment, UAE Financial Rules and regulations and Risk in Financial Services are the few CISI qualifications that CMPD is launching in February this year.

These qualifications are not only suitable for investment bankers, fund managers, portfolio wealth and relationship managers, financial advisers, stock brokers, but also for administration, operations, sales and customer service staff working in banks and financial institutions. These qualifications are delivered in the evenings or during weekends providing a convenient option for working professionals to enhance skills and advance their career.

Dr Omar Hefni, UD President, said: “The CISI qualifications are becoming increasingly popular throughout the Middle East as regulators are seeking to raise the skills of financial services industry practitioners by developing mandatory, qualification led licensing regimes and regulatory examinations. The Securities & Commodities Authority (SCA) which regulates the securities and investment market in UAE have partnered with CISI to develop the UAE financial rules and regulations and require candidates to pass defined set of CISI exams to be able to work in certain job functions.

Both SCA and Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) which regulates firms operating in the Dubai International Financial Center recognize that increased competence amongst market practitioners inspires investor confidence and appropriate qualifications and membership of a professional body are tangible ways of demonstrating proven ability.”

Thus the university has provided local students a dynamic forum to study under top professionals helping them develop and advance their careers by acquiring skills that drive business performance. As benchmark qualifications, these courses will raise the skills of UAE workforce to global standards and promote best business practices thus enhancing UAE’s stature as the hub of international financial services.

Focusing on ‘real world’ and ‘applied learning’ the professional programs taught at the centre have transformed the lives of over 2,500 individuals in the UAE, many of whom have moved on and are now holding senior positions in their organizations and making significant contributions in the realms of business.

Dr Hefni concluded: “Our highly professional faculty aims to foster a learning environment which is both challenging and rewarding, designed to develop skills and capabilities through the powerful combination of expert class instruction and peer interaction. In addition to using faculty members from the university, practitioners who have experience in establishing and executing best practices in the business world are invited to provide input to our programs, which allows participants to put theory into context.”
 

University Of Wollongong In Dubai Launches UOWD PI (Professional Institute) To Offer Short Certificate Courses

University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has launched UOWD Pi (Professional Institute) which offers short certificate courses aimed at enhancing the continuous learning opportunities for individuals in the UAE. Specific emphasis is being placed on professionals wishing to accelerate their career growth.

The move, which represents the 18-year-old university’s foray into short, non-degree courses, is in response to the growing demand for high quality short courses from prestigious educational institutions.

The short courses are being offered in a number of disciplines, ranging from Islamic Banking to Forensic Accounting. The latest addition will be a course on “Corporate Communications: Public Relations for Tomorrow’s Managers” which will begin from March 6, followed by another one on “Islamic banking” to start in the first week of May.

Each course will have duration of about five weeks, with classes held in the evenings once a week and each session lasting for three hours.

“UOWD identified a distinct need for short courses, prompted by the tight and challenging job market that exists today. Professionals have realised that additional qualifications can provide a passport for a promotion or a job switch,” said Raymi van der Spek, Executive Director of Administration & Strategic Development, UOWD.

“With the launch of UOWD Pi, the UAE’s oldest private university is unveiling its plans to become a more comprehensive tertiary education provider. There are not many institutions of the calibre of UOWD that offer short courses. We wish to bring to short courses the same professionalism and standards that distinguish our full degree programs,” said van der Spek.

“UOWD Pi programs are targeted at professionals who are chasing career growth, those people looking to develop new skills, or anyone wishing to acquire a quick grasp of a particular new discipline, before taking up a job. Our goal is to make UOWD Pi the ultimate place for market-driven short courses,” added van der Spek.
Dr. Alma Kadragic, a journalist and public relations professional who will be conducting the Corporate Communications course, said: “The program aims to provide junior and mid-level employees with a basic understanding of how public relations works and how it can be used as a tool for effective management.”

Short courses in Banking Risk Management and Forensic Accounting are among the programs that are already running successfully at UOWD.

“While we expect that the short courses will benefit professionals by way of career mobility, we also anticipate that it will whet the appetite of some to pursue full-fledged degree programs at the university,” said van der Spek. “As the name Pi suggests, we see infinite possibilities in this area.”

van der Spek also said that UOWD Pi is talking to companies to offer customized short courses to their employees in different areas of business. UOWD Pi is already talking to Panasonic Middle East to provide a program in sales and marketing for its employees.
 

American University Of Dubai Wins CFA Emirates National Investment Research Challenge

Last night American University of Dubai became the 2011 UAE National Investment Research Challenge champions, beating three other Universities in a close final hosted by CFA Emirates, the association for financial and investment professionals, at the Shangri-la Hotel in Dubai. The winning team will now represent the UAE at the EMEA regional final which will be held in Madrid in March. The winners of this stage will then proceed to the CFA Institute international final to be held in Nebraska, USA, in April.

In addition to American University of Dubai, four universities from across the Emirates took part in the competition, including the The University of Wollongong in Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai and Manipal University Dubai. Each University was represented by a team of students who undertook a two month review of a public company. This year the teams reviewed National Bank of Abu Dhabi, one of the largest banks of the UAE. Each team was mentored by a professional research analyst and at the end of the process they wrote a research report which they then presented last night to a team of judges. This year’s panel included Mr Deon Vernooy, Senior Executive Officer, Emirates NBD Asset Management Ltd, Mr Abdul Kadir Hussain, CEO, Mashreq Capital, Mr Nabeel Qadir Bastaki, Senior Research Analyst at MENASA Capital and Mr Yacoub Husein Nuseibeh, President of CFA Emirates Society.

The champions, which included Taras Kozyk, Monica Aoun, Heba Abu Yousef and Hana Kasem were selected based on their investment case, the delivery of the final presentation and their ability to answer and respond to detailed analysis from the judges. As part of the prize, each student will be enrolled onto the CFA Program and registered for their first exam, as well as a trip to Madrid.

In congratulating the American University of Dubai, Mr. Nuseibeh, President of CFA Emirates, presented the Championship Trophy to the winning team, saying: ‘This competition provides an exceptional opportunity for students in the UAE to learn about the financial industry from the very best professionals who are actively working within the sector. All of the judges were very impressed with the quality of work presented by each team and the dedicated commitment of each student. They should be proud of their achievements in representing their University in a national competition. We want to thank all the students, their teachers and Universities for doing so well and for taking part. American University of Dubai will now have the added distinction of representing the UAE at the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regional final in Spain. We wish them well for this next stage.’

Commenting at the event Mr Mohit Malhotra, Education Chair-Dubai of CFA Emirates said: “The UAE has plans to become a major financial hub. This requires, among other things, greater transparency, technical competence and integrity. The increasing popularity of the CFA program in the UAE is hence very positive and can only act as a catalyst to further develop the local financial and capital markets. This Challenge is a platform to showcase the financial talent available within the UAE, to encourage young graduates to take up the unique and rewarding field of Investment Research as a career and to seriously consider the CFA program as the qualification of choice.”