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Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester Institute Of Technology was founded in 1829 and is the tenth largest private university in the US in terms of full-time students. It is internationally known for its science, computer, engineering, and art programs, as well as for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, a leading deaf-education institution that provides educational opportunities to more than 1000 deaf and hard-of-hearing students. RIT is known for its Co-op program that gives students professional and industrial experience. It has the fourth oldest and one of the largest Co-op programs in the world. It is classified among “R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity”.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees and online masters as well.
RIT’s student population is approximately 19,000 students, about 16,000 undergraduate and 3000 graduate. Demographically, students attend from all 50 states in the United States and from more than 100 countries around the world. The university has more than 4000 active faculty and staff members who engage with the students in a wide range of academic activities and research projects. It also has branches abroad, its global campuses, located in China, Croatia and United Arab Emirates (Dubai)
RIT is a global university based in Rochester, NY which also has students and faculty at its international campuses around the world. It is RIT’s mission to educate students to be successful in a global society, develop an awareness of the world around them as well as an understanding of cross-cultural issues. To accomplish this mission, RIT operates in five different countries and currently offers study abroad programs in Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo. In collaboration with its international campuses, RIT has developed specialized programs for students to travel and study during the academic year and in the summer.
Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai
Established in 2008, RIT Dubai is a not-for-profit global campus of the esteemed Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, one of the world’s leading technological-focused universities with a storied 185-year history.
RIT Dubai offers highly valued Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business and leadership, engineering, and computing.
The curriculum provides students with relevant work experience through an innovative cooperative education program that helps students stand out in today’s highly completive job market.
RIT Dubai offers American degrees, and all of RIT’s programs are UAE Ministry accredited. Students of RIT Dubai also have the unique opportunity to choose to study abroad at the main campus in New York or at one of its other global campuses.
About Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai Fees
Students, those currently studying at RIT as well as those studying at other institutions around the world, can now travel, study and become a more involved member of today’s global society. RIT’s international campuses enroll students in RIT programs from around the world. All programs are delivered in English which sets the stage for a truly global experience with no barriers to communication. Students from all of RIT’s campuses are encouraged to study-abroad within its global network, provided that their program of study or desired courses are offered in that campus.
Students studying at other private and public colleges and universities can also study abroad with RIT Global. All courses taken at RIT international campuses are recorded on an official RIT academic transcript which student can use within their RIT program of study or transfer to other U.S. educational institutions. Students studying at these RIT partner universities earn a degree and diploma accredited by RIT. RIT has more than 1000 students enrolled in RIT undergraduate and graduate degree programs around the world!
Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds. Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
Beyond our main campus in Rochester, New York, RIT has international campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. And with more than 19,000 students and more than 125,000 graduates from all 50 states and over 100 nations, RIT is driving progress in industries and communities around the world. At RIT, we are always on to something amazing.
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai welcomed its first undergraduate class of just over 80 students into its engineering, computing and business programmes last week.
RIT President Dr Mustafa Abu Shagur told Campus Notes that the institute expected to double its intake of undergraduates next year and grow its existing postgraduate and undergraduate student body of 140 to 1,500 within the next 10 years. Dr Abu Shagur said he believed such goals were achievable because of the sound reputation of the institute’s mother campus in New York.
“In the year when the financial crisis [2008] happened and people were being laid off, 95 per cent of our fresh graduates from the US landed jobs,” he said.
Employment prospects
“Very few universities can claim such numbers which we’ve gotten from surveys and follow-ups with our graduates,” he added.
Dr Thomas Raco, Vice-President of Academic and Student Affairs, said employment prospects were looking promising for the newly enrolled undergraduate class.
“Our research shows there are definitely plenty of job opportunities for undergraduates in the fields we offer and we know there is a need for it,” Dr Raco said. “Our research found that not only is there an interest on the students’ part but a strong desire from the industry to hire people with bachelor degrees,” he added.
However, the youngsters making up RIT’s first undergraduate class in Dubai indicated they were not yet considering their employability. “I chose RIT for the accreditation because it’s accepted by a lot of universities so it’s transferable to other universities anywhere,” said Payam Model, who signed up for the international business programme.
RIT has been offering postgraduate programmes for two years and plans to move from its current two-floored premises to a bigger space in the same area early next year. However, with its success in the region set to bloom, the first-day nerves last week were not confined to the undergraduate students.
“On the first day it’s a mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness looking at all these young people coming in,” Dr Abu Shagur said. “Of course they have certain expectations and we have certain expectations from them too,” he added.
Yet the satisfaction and sense of accomplishment of being able to shape future generations was not lost on Dr Abu Shagur.
“I’ve been an educator nearly all my life and I think of how we’re going to reform these young people’s lives and futures; because when they leave from here they will be mature and developed adults who will carry our name with them,” he said.
Dubai: Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), the first Arab interplanetary mission, is calling on UAE students with skills in science, engineering, technology and maths to design and code robots that can successfully carry out complex reconnaissance missions on Mars.
EMM announced on Monday that it has partnered with Dubai Airshow 2021 to carry out ‘Planet X’ – a nationwide competition designed to inspire a new generation of talent to build careers in the fast-growing global space and aviation industries. The two-month contest will require students to build, code and design robots for deep space exploration.
“Empowering youth is an important part our long-term vision to enhance the nation’s global position in all space-related fields and create a new cadre of leaders that can push the boundaries of science and technology,” said Omran Sharaf, EMM-Hope Probe project manager.
Reaching for the stars
Sharaf added: “By building and coding robots to successfully carry out complex reconnaissance missions on Mars, we will demonstrate how exciting and rewarding a career in space science can be. We want to inspire students to reach for the stars and contribute to our nation’s meteoric rise in deep space exploration and I believe our new competition will deliver on this.”
Timothy Hawes, managing director at Tarsus F&E, organisers of Dubai Airshow 2021, added: “Planet X challenge provides students with an opportunity to showcase their skills, learn from the industry’s leading experts, and pave their way towards a career in the space industry.”
How to enter
Planet X challenge kicks off with a pre-qualification round in September, followed by a week of training in October. The main challenge takes place during the Dubai Airshow 2021, running from November 14 to 18 this year.
To join the competition, students must complete a pre-qualification challenge which is open to all high school and university students in the UAE. Applicants are required to design an aircraft capable of carrying out missions on Mars. They must also answer technical details about how it would work in practice, as well as compete in a live coding challenge that will take place in September. For more information and to participate, they can email to emm.edu@mbras.ae.
Rigorous training
The top 40 qualifiers will be invited to receive rigorous training and mentorship from engineers and technologists. They will learn how to build, design and develop state-of-the-art robots and 3D-printed aircrafts alongside the team that successfully sent the Hope Probe to Mars.
Participants will then have to complete a number of complex challenges, including building an unnamed ground vehicle to study the surface of Planet X and seek out a specific location to collect samples using Lego Mindstorms EV3, a third-generation robotics kit.
The second challenge will involve designing an unmanned aerial vehicle to glide above the Martian planet for reconnaissance missions. Students will be required to use CAD (computer-aided design) Fusion 360 modelling software to design and 3D print the aircraft, as well as share a technical presentation on its design.
Prize
Up to Dh50,000 is available for the winning team. There will be different programming complexities for high-school and university students. All robots will have to feature built-in sensors and actuators. Student teams will also have five minutes to complete a simulated mission without any support or assistance.
Sharjah: Investments in the UAE’s girls scout movement should be boosted to strengthen its foundational role in empowering future generations of Emirati women to shape promising futures.
The remarks came from Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the UAE Girl Guides Association, during a recent visit to the Sharjah Girl Guides (SGG) headquarters.
Sheikha Jawaher was offered an overview of SGG’s overarching strategy and action plan for the near future to advance the scouting movement in the UAE, particularly in the emirate of Sharjah. She also heard from SGG officials on the past achievements of the entity, reflected in the entity’s efforts in boosting the role of their Brownies, Guides and Senior Guides in Emirati society.
Service to the nation
Sheikha Jawaher said: “We are committed to raising capable generations of young female leaders in the UAE, equipped with the ability to serve the public, and with deep knowledge that they will find in good books and writing. The right knowledge, advanced skillsets and a sense of service to community will lay the foundations for the rise of successive generations of Emirati women who will play a leading role in the country’s development.”
She added: “We aspire to elevate SGG to a global level, and thereby, boost cooperation between Sharjah and the UAE, GCC and the wider region. We plan to do this by organising several value-creating and interactive guiding activities that will bring girl scouts from across the region on one platform with their peers, facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise, and allow SGG to realise organisational goals in more collaborative ways.”
Various skills
During the tour, she was accompanied by Shaikha Al Shamsi, director of SGG, and several departmental heads. Sheikha Jawaher viewed the recent renovations carried out by SGG and also met a group of young Brownies and Guides, who spoke about their passions and the skills they acquired at SGG including writing, cooking, drawing, wood working, handicrafts, and others.
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart and for 28-year-old Nitin Bhalla, a graduate from BITS Pilani Dubai, it is a way of life.
Bhalla launched two start-ups, Navigate Dreams and iDoodle, while pursuing B.E. in Electronics and Communications at BITS Pilani and co-founded another start-up, Aura, just after graduating from the university.
Currently, he is busy running Kregzo, a company he established a couple of years ago to help early-stage entrepreneurs build better solutions that can become investible and scalable in the future. “Kregzo is committed to supporting student entrepreneurs and helping them build start-ups in a post-pandemic world,” says its founder and CEO.
Two life experiences encouraged Bhalla to start his latest venture.
“While at the university, I saw the student community spending hours writing innovative research papers, winning pitch competitions and hackathons and creating cool apps,” Bhalla tells GN Focus. “However, at the end of it, nothing actually came on the market. This made me wonder how we could turn an ingenious idea into reality. Later, while working at a multinational company, I realised there was a massive disconnect between industry and academia. The industry has resources and manpower, but they lack creative solutions. While on the other hand, young entrepreneurs have creative solutions but they lack access to resources.”
Kregzo is committed to supporting student entrepreneurs and helping them build start-ups in a post-pandemic world.
- Nitin Bhalla, Founder and CEO, Kregzo
These experiences helped him understand the need for an ecosystem that would not only act as a hub for innovative solutions from universities but also as a bridge between key stakeholders in the start-up ecosystem.
“We launched our prototype in 2019 and got an amazing response from multinational corporations, universities and students,” he adds. “Post 2020, Kregzo has launched an exclusive University Ecosystem Plan that’s free for all partnered university students.”
Bhalla gives much credit to BITS Pilani Dubai for his success, which offers a wide range of support mechanisms to encourage student entrepreneurship.
“Thanks to BITS Pilani Dubai, I was able to get the exposure I needed from the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), a university entrepreneurial association that I later became the president of,” says Bhalla. “This enabled me to network with industry leaders, conduct TEDx for the first time, and even explore other university ecosystems first-hand. All in all, it gave me the freedom to create an extensive student entrepreneurship community that is going strong even today.”
Empowering an entrepreneurial mindset
Entrepreneurship education plays a significant role in supporting the UAE’s ambition to become an innovation hub. Universities in the UAE are working proactively to foster a strong culture where creative thinking is inspired and nurtured, ensuring that students can pursue entrepreneurship as both a career as well as a way a life.
Universities can make students market-ready with hands-on learning and change the stereotypic mindset towards entrepreneurship.
- Trupti Gokhale, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, and Faculty in-Charge, Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Dubai (CIIED), BITS Pilani Dubai
Dubai has also announced in its Fifty-Year Charter that national and private universities will be announced free zones where students can carry out their economic and creative businesses and this will be part of the educational system. Integrated creative and economic zones will be established next to universities to support students in education, research and finance while setting up their businesses.
“Universities can make students market-ready with hands-on learning and change the stereotypic mindset towards entrepreneurship,” says Trupti Gokhale, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, and Faculty in-Charge, Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Dubai (CIIED), BITS Pilani Dubai.
“Creative thinking is key to innovation and entrepreneurship, which could be inculcated from the early years at the university, whereas industry connect, networking, funding support and technical hand-holding would help student start-ups plunge into entrepreneurship,” explains Gokhale.
BITS Pilani’s CIIED encourages students towards creative thinking and innovative ideas. An innovation laboratory with latest equipment supports the transformation of ideas to working prototypes.
“Our business incubator powered by Hamdan Innovation Incubator (Hi2) has widened the possibilities of networking and investments for student start-ups. Courses such as Entrepreneurship, New Venture Creation, Business Communication, and a minor programme in Entrepreneurship provide the necessary hand-holding for budding entrepreneurs,” says Gokhale.
Initiatives to drive business ideas
There are several successful initiatives and programmes in UAE universities that connect student entrepreneurs to basic start-up resources such as funding for student-led projects, communication tools, coaching and mentoring platforms, and learning opportunities. They have also taken a variety of intra- and extracurricular approaches to engage students in entrepreneurship education, developing an entrepreneurial mindset in them and increasing interest in entrepreneurship among students.
“Building a culture of entrepreneurship requires that entrepreneurial training and support activities are both ubiquitous and targeted,” says Dr James Trotter, Dean and Academic President, Murdoch University Dubai.
“They must be woven into all aspects of university life but they also must be targeted to reach those who want to be entrepreneurs. The university fosters entrepreneurship by ensuring that students have access to support and development opportunities both within the curriculum and in a range of co-curricular activities.”
Building a culture of entrepreneurship requires that entrepreneurial training and support activities are both ubiquitous and targeted.
- Dr James Trotter, Dean and Academic President, Murdoch University Dubai
Murdoch University has the Career Learning Spine integrated into all its undergraduate degree courses. Students take units as part of their course curriculum that focus on career development.
“Not every student wants to be an entrepreneur, so the early units in the Career Learning Spine have a dual focus so that students can choose career support appropriate to their desired outcomes,” Trotter says. “In later years of their degree course, students can select units that fit their goals.”
Students who aspire to be entrepreneurs can choose a specific unit on consulting and freelancing that will teach them skills about company formation and start-up management.
Murdoch University also runs an annual entrepreneurship competition across its campuses in Perth, Dubai and Singapore. “All of the teams receive training and mentorship to develop their ideas, with the winning team from across all of the campuses receiving support to develop the proposal to a start-up,” Trotter adds.
Teaching crucial life skills
Educators suggest that there are pedagogical reasons to incorporate entrepreneurship education in the university experience and students can immensely benefit from such an exposure, regardless of whether they launch their own companies or pursue careers as employees.
Demand for intrapreneurs, who have the skills to integrate risk management and innovation and develop a project or a venture like an entrepreneur within an established company set-up, is steadily gaining traction.
We focus on making our students future-ready, whether it’s for the corporate world or venturing into start-ups.
- Hanil Haridas, Executive Director, WUC
Developing entrepreneurial mindsets and skills can help students build rewarding careers in business and become leaders who can plan for and successfully execute changes in any organisations.
Westford University College (WUC) provides the right infrastructure, facilities and talent that promote student entrepreneurship and innovation. “We focus on making our students future-ready, whether it’s for the corporate world or venturing into start-ups,” says Hanil Haridas, Executive Director, WUC. “We achieve these goals through our initiatives and programmes such as Youth Business Leadership Programme, which is exclusively designed to nurture leadership skills among the youth; WEConnect with Business Leaders – a platform where the executive leaders of the industry connect with our students over an engaging talk; and we also have the Westford Incubator to support students to become an entrepreneur.”
Westford has also embedded employability skills into the curriculum and has built productive relationships with the industry, using these resources to enable its students to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Canadian University Dubai (CUD)
Top courses for September/October 2021
Master in Information Technology Management and Governance
Master of Business Administration – Concentrations:
● General Management
● Human Resource Management
● Finance
● Marketing
● Or complete an additional group of concentration courses to earn a double concentration
Admission deadline
Classes start on October 24
Open house
October 16 and 23
Cud.ac.ae
City University College of Ajman (CUCA)
CUCA
Image Credit: Supplied
Top Courses for September 2021
● Bachelor of Business Administration
● Bachelor of Law (Arabic)
● Bachelor of PR & Advertising (English/Arabic)
Admission deadline
September 18
Tuition Fees
Over Dh28,000 annually
Scholarships and discounts
● Bachelor of Public Relations and Advertising: Up to 20 per cent off
● Bachelor of Business Administration: Up to 30 per cent off
● Bachelor of Law: Up to 30 per cent off
● 20 per cent off for students in military service
● Up to 20 per cent sibling scholarship
● Dh1,500 referral scholarship
● Up to 75 per cent merit scholarship
● Up to 50 per cent scholarship for people of determination
● Up to 15 per cent scholarship for government employees
● Up to 15 per cent sports scholarship
● Up to 50% Covid-19 relief scholarship
Cuca.ae
Gulf Medical University (Gmu)
GMU
Image Credit: Supplied
Top courses for September 2021
● Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, biomedical sciences, healthcare management and economics, medical laboratory sciences, physiotherapy and various other graduate programmes
New Courses
● Dual PhD programme in Precision Medicine
● Master of Science in Drug Discovery and Development (MDD)
Tuition fees and scholarships
Merit-based discounts are available for GMU programmes
Contact Details
06 743 1333; admissions@gmu.ac.ae; Gmu.ac.ae
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai
MAHE Dubai
Image Credit: Supplied
Top courses for September 2021
● BTech (Day and Evening)
● BBA (Day and Evening)
● BCom / BCom with ACCA
● BSc (Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Food & Nutrition, Information Systems Management)
● MAHE Dubai Foundation Programme
● Work mode MBA (Evening/ Weekend)
Admission deadline
● Admissions are closing soon for all programmes. Undergraduate batches will start classes on September 19
Tuition fees
From Dh24,000 to Dh46,000 per annum
Scholarships and discounts
Scholarships of up to 50 per cent is offered to students based on their merit. MAHE Dubai also offers a Girl Child Scholarship of 100 per cent in partnership with the Embassy of India, UAE.
Contact details
Manipaldubai.com; 04-429 0888, admissions@manipaldubai.com
Middlesex University Dubai
Middlesex
Image Credit: Supplied
Top courses for September 2021
● International Foundation Programme (five pathways)
● BSc Psychology (five pathways)
● BA Accounting and Finance
● BA Business Management (seven pathways)
● MA Education (three specialisms)
● MSc Data Science
Admission deadline
Applications for September 2021 and all programmes starting in January 2022 are open now. All students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to secure their place.
Tuition Fees
● Foundation (One-year programme): Dh43,400 per year
● Undergraduate (3-year honours degree): Dh55,700 per year
● Postgraduate (1-2 year programme): From Dh30,000 to Dh107,600 in total
Scholarships and grants
Middlesex University Dubai offers a range of competitive scholarships and grants for domestic and international students at all study levels, including:
● Minimum 15 per cent Academic Scholarship
● Up to 50 per cent Academic Excellence Scholarship
● Up to 25 per cent Postgraduate Study Grant
● Up to 25 per cent International Study Grant
Mdx.ac.ae/
Murdoch University Dubai
Murdoch
Image Credit: Supplied
Top courses for September 2021
● Foundation Studies
● Bachelor of Business (Management, Accounting, Finance, Marketing)
● Bachelor of Science (Cybersecurity & Forensics, Computer Science, Business Information Systems)
● Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Criminology)
● Master of Education
● Master of Business Administration
Admission deadline
September 19
Tuition fees
From Dh25,000 to Dh52,000 per year
Scholarships and discounts
● Guaranteed scholarships for Foundation, Diploma and MBA students
● Academic merit scholarships of more than Dh60,000
● Additional bursaries for students from partner schools and corporates
Murdochuniversitydubai.com
Westford University College (WUC)
Westford
Image Credit: Supplied
Top courses for September 2021
● MBA in Healthcare Management, MBA in Supply Chain, Shipping and Logistics Management, MBA in Project Management, MBA in Financial Management, MBA in Sales and Marketing, MBA in HR and Organisational Psychology, MBA in International Business, MBA in Information Technology, MBA in Engineering Management, MBA in Data Analytics, MBA in Business Leadership, MBA in International Business,
● DBA – Doctorate in Business Administration
● BA (Hons) in Business with International Business
New Courses
● BSc (Hons) in Business Psychology, BSc (Hons) in Business Psychology in Human Resource Management, BA (Hons) in Sports Management, BSc. (Hons) in Fashion, BSc. (Hons) in Computing, BA (Hons) in Media Culture and Communication
Admission deadline
Westford has rolling intake every month for its HND and MBA programmes
Scholarships
Up to 80 per cent
Contact details
Mywestford.com; 055 2272114, 052 7027155, info@westford.org.uk
How UAE universities future proof graduate employability
Unis are launching new courses to prepare students for careers in the post-Covid world
Published: September 12, 2021 13:00
By Emma Procter, Special to GN Focus
In the world of business, every industry has been challenged in dramatic and unexpected ways during the pandemic. This means that the demands of the workplace have radically changed too, and the next generation of graduates needs to be ready to navigate this brave new world.
It has therefore fallen to universities to answer the call and develop new skill-focused courses and promote new ways of thinking. But for new students, it can be tough deciding which degree to choose to get a competitive edge in this new job market. Aside from the fact that there are simply so many courses out there, life is changing faster than ever before.
But there are trends that point in the right direction.
“The landscape of future education is evolving around technology, sustainability, and its management – and this broadly holds true for all industries alike,” says Dr Jason Fitzsimmons, Academic President at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai.
“Being future-ready is about being a holistically developed individual, balancing these three aspects with ease and expertise. Individuals with sound core skills coupled with essential soft skills developed through various activities at university will make the most of such future workplaces. ‘What to learn’ is already being taken over by ‘how to learn.’ Therefore, it’s important for the student community to aspire to become well-balanced holistic individuals.”
Dr Fitzsimmons says digital literacy, flexibility, multi-tasking, and time management are some of the key qualities the post pandemic workplace will require. Manipal has therefore developed a healthy balance of curricular and co-curricular activities to ensure students are nimble enough.
Individuals with sound core skills coupled with essential soft skills developed through various activities at university will make the most of such future workplaces.
- Dr Jason Fitzsimmons, Academic President at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai
The school also has a dedicated career services department to train students on the dynamics of modern workplaces, while also launching a bachelor’s and a master’s programme in Applied Psychology to answer the serious demand for psychology professionals.
When it comes to initiating cross sector, future-focused research and learning and making curricula more impactful, UAE’s top schools are getting strategic.
Research-based learning
At Middlesex University Dubai, teaching and learning is infused with research-driven academic education led by initiatives such as its in-house institutes, including the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Centre for Innovation in Human Experience.
“These research institutes engage with private industry, governments and academia to promote cross-sector research collaborations and support student research,” says Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University and Director of Middlesex University Dubai.
“Many of our students across a diverse range of programmes have won prestigious research prizes at competitions such as the Abu Dhabi University Research Competition, supported and guided by our faculty.”
These research institutes engage with private industry, governments and academia to promote cross-sector research collaborations and support student research.
- Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University and Director of Middlesex University Dubai
There are more than 70 UK programmes at Middlesex rooted in providing students with the skills and experience to contribute to the communities in which they live and work.
Dr Fernandes continues, “Two of our forward-thinking programmes for September 2021 include BA Honours Business Management with seven specialisms, and MSc Robotics – both of which tap into sectors that are at the heart of future development, especially in the UAE.
“Business-savvy, innovative thinkers who take the initiative and can spot growth opportunities as well as qualified robotics engineers are in demand. Employers are setting long-term targets and they need employees who can help them grow while having a positive societal impact.”
At City University College of Ajman (CUCA), the main ethos is that the best way to prepare new students for the changing employment landscape is to create a direct link between them and employers through industry-academia collaborations.
Virtual learning became a quintessential means for every student to continue their education and the usefulness of this know-how will continue even after the pandemic and prepare them for a more virtual world. It’s an important skill for becoming future-ready.
- Imran Khan, President at CUCA
All of CUCA’s programmes have an advisory committee consisting of field experts and academicians to advise on keeping the programmes current and closely interfaced with the demands of the specific industry.
Imran Khan, President at CUCA, also says that the remote learning skills acquired due to Covid-19 must be continued and enhanced. “Virtual learning became a quintessential means for every student to continue their education and the usefulness of this know-how will continue even after the pandemic and prepare them for a more virtual world. It’s an important skill for becoming future-ready,” he says.
Khan adds that his college constantly enhances its technology infrastructure to support effective delivery of programmes whether for in-person or distance learning. This allows students to stay abreast with the use of technology to support their learning experience.
He also suggests it is essential parents get to grips with what becoming future-ready really means as their children pick courses. “Then they can be a constant source of encouragement and help them explore ways to develop future skills off campus as well as on campus.”
Preparing students for the future world of work
“From the discussions with MBA employers, it emerges to be of paramount importance to master communication, leadership and negotiation skills, in a work environment expected to be more and more characterised by teams collaborating from across different parts of the world and a greater degree of digital operations,” says Dr Davide Contu, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management, Canadian University Dubai.
“Our MBA courses take these challenges into account to better prepare the leaders of tomorrow.” The university also has strong links with external businesses to bring real world experience to its students.
Our MBA courses take these challenges into account to better prepare the leaders of tomorrow.
- Dr Davide Contu, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management, Canadian University Dubai
“Guest speaker series are frequently conducted by representatives of the industry and academia. For instance, Priyanka De Noronha, from Johnson & Johnson Canada, discussed the role of data in decision making with a focus on healthcare products. Anju de Alwis, from Ultimate Access, has exposed students to current examples of business valuation.”
Making medical education more effective
Gulf Medical University (GMU) offers a robust, outcome competency- based curriculum aligned to international competency framework, with early exposure to clinical training and experience with patients from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Students gain the competitive edge from their experience working with cutting-edge research infrastructure and facilities at GMU.
Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of GMU
“Students gain the competitive edge from their experience working with cutting-edge research infrastructure and facilities at GMU,” says Prof. Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of GMU.
The university has abundant clinical training facilities within its academic health centres where students learn from leading medical experts and gain hands-on experience on cutting-edge healthcare technology. The internationally accredited systems at Thumbay hospitals and clinics not only prepare students for a global healthcare career, but also equip them with futuristic competencies.”
Upskilling and reskilling courses help honing your skills and making you more marketable to employers
Candidates often reach out to me to understand the return on investing in a formal degree. Is it really worth quitting a job to pursue a programme? Aren’t online courses a better alternative since they do not burn a hole in the pocket and offer time and flexibility?
Well, to be honest, there is no right or wrong answer to these questions. Every candidate is different, and so is their profile and circumstances. Whether they should choose education over experience, or the other way round, depends on their underlying need for upskilling and reskilling. For many candidates, a formal education can add a significant value in terms of overcoming what we are facing today. Over the years, academicians have managed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world. The once clear-cut boundaries between these two realms have now blurred, leading to the creation of a wholesome and integrated academic framework, which gives professionals a 360-degree exposure.
Admittedly, there are several online programmes available. However, one cannot undermine the magnitude of value addition and growth that results from being in a place with like-minded people from different walks of life. What, then, could or should be your motive for pursuing a formal education, such as a master’s degree, MBA, certifications and/or an executive programme, in the middle of your professional journey? Here’s some food for thought.
The cash hike
It is a well-known fact that having a graduate degree, such as a specialised master’s degree in project management or a top MBA programme, can help your CV stand out. These programmes hone your skills and make you more marketable to employers. The EMBA programmes offered by institutions such as INSEAD, London Business School (LBS), S.P. Jain School of Global Management, Middlesex University Dubai, and American University in Dubai have not only accelerated the career trajectory of several mid-level professionals but have also allowed many aspiring entrepreneurs to build their own ventures.
Upskill to stay relevant
Tech-driven jobs have seen the strongest resilience and growth during the pandemic. That said, I must mention that a tech professional’s knowledge becomes obsolete very fast. Pursuing a formal master’s degree will not only keep them relevant in the workplace but will also grant them a platform that breeds multipronged learning. The UAE is now home to many such courses including Middlesex University’s master’s degree in cyber security and pen testing, offering a beautiful amalgamation of classroom and project-based learning.
Reskill to get back to work, grow or change jobs
Many professionals have lost their jobs during this pandemic, while some have taken a break because of personal responsibilities, and some others have realised their dire need for change. A formal master’s degree is a brilliant option for all of these people who intend to end their sabbatical and get absorbed into the workforce, albeit through a different or evolved field.
A formal master’s degree is a brilliant option for all of these people who intend to end their sabbatical and get absorbed into the workforce, albeit through a different or evolved field.
- Varun Jain, Managing Director, Brighter Prep
Going back to a university to build your foundation and reskill yourself would give you the confidence to get back to work. Brilliantly designed courses such as Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing by Curtain University, Master in Interior Design by Amity Dubai, and MSc in Digital Marketing by Middlesex and Heriot-Watt University could give an excellent restart to your career.
Time to follow your passion
This pandemic has also made many of us recall our passion, which we had left behind to follow more conventional career paths. Going back to an institution to formalise our passion and getting certified could help us build a satisfying and successful career. The mentors in a formal institution will not only teach you the fundamentals and academic theories but also help you find a job through their career placement departments or funding to incubate your ideas.
Like any big decision in life, choosing to invest in a master’s or an executive education for upskilling or reskilling is an important one. But what you should also know is that this decision is multilayered. From finding the right institution and the right programme to identifying the right reasons for pursuing it, multiple steps are a part and parcel of this process.
As an education counsellor, my advice on this dichotomous debate between education and experience is simple: research. Start your research now, evaluate your options, compare online programmes with offline ones, come up with your list of expectations, interview the alumni and the students, and then take a call. Don’t forget, whatever you choose, you will learn something new.
— The writer is Managing Director of Brighter Prep, an international test prep and admissions consulting company
Westford University College offers a global learning experience in the UAE
Learning at Westford is a unique blend of discovering and exploring
Published: September 12, 2021 12:38
GN Focus report
Westford University College (WUC) is gearing up for yet another academic year with a plethora of new courses and enhanced infrastructure and facilities. The range of courses begins with the foundations programme and go all the way up to the Doctoral programme in business administration (DBA), awarded by UCAM, Spain.
The MBA portfolios have been expanded with recent collaborations and multiple specialisations have been offered. Apart from general management specialisations with Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK, and University of Gloucestershire, UK, International MBA specialisation with Canterbury Christ Church University, UK, and over 15 unique, globally renowned specialisations have been offered with UCAM, Spain, and Girne American University, Cyprus. Apart from the MBA degree, the students are also eligible for dual certifications from Scottish Qualification Authority and Pearson, UK.
Students are also offered these exclusive programmes — from foundation to bachelor’s degree: International Foundation Year, BA (Hons) Sports Business, BA (Hons) Media Culture and Communication, BSc (Hons) Psychology, BA (Hons) Law & Business, BSc (Cyber Security), which are effectively supported with placement or internship opportunities.
We offer scholarships for up to 80 per cent of the fee for students with both academic and extracurricular brilliance. With a range of opportunities groomed beyond academics that includes an in-house Toastmasters Club as well as sports and cultural avenues, we encourage students with unique talent to be part of the WUC family.
WUC brings in an international learning experience and organises international exchange and immersion programmes. We have students from over 120 countries and the campus is spread over two beautiful and spacious locations within the city, bringing in the best of both worlds to our students in the UAE.
The learning at Westford is a unique blend of discovering and exploring. We engage our students in international immersion programmes, student exchange programmes, international volunteering trips and much more. Students are also given the option to study the final year at the university in the UK and the convocation will be held in the UK as well. Our students may study locally in the UAE but we ensure they have an incredible global experience.
CUCA celebrates its QS 4-stars ranking
The university offers a world-class and industry-relevant learning experience to students
Published: September 12, 2021 12:33
GN Focus report
Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Regional Director, QS World University Rankings, with Imran Khan, President, CUCA
Image Credit: Supplied
City University College of Ajman (CUCA) is pleased to announce its latest achievement: The QS Stars Rating system has certified the college as a 4-star institution. This ascent reflects our strength in quality education, research, and the extraordinary standard of our teaching and learning.
“With a future aspiration to embark on the QS World University Rankings system, CUCA pursued the QS Star University Rating system. This current evaluation sets the baseline of achievement for CUCA and highlights at least four areas of excellence. CUCA will continue to focus on a data-driven assessment of its performance to maintain and exceed its four stars institution rating,” said Imran Khan, President, CUCA.
Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Regional Director of QS World University Rankings, visited CUCA to congratulate and present the president for the 4-stars rating. He said, “On behalf of the UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), I am delighted to present City University College of Ajman with their overall QS 4-stars rating after a rigorous and comprehensive audit of over 50 indicators. It is encouraging to see a young institution feature so well, and also get recognised for its teaching with 5 stars in this individual category. This is a testament from the institution on its commitment to excellence, while keeping students at the heart of its operation.”
The President further added, “As we strive to serve in academia, such accomplishments help us validate our commitments. We continuously aim to provide a world-class and industry-relevant learning experience to our students.”
With a demonstrated focus on quality of teaching, curriculum development and student learning, this success is evidence of our commitment to continuously improve and provide quality education. This recognition is an important step in the college’s strategy to strengthen its core values and provide students with a unique learning experience.
Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai (RIT Dubai) Employees
| Name | Position | Location | Contact info |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Egleston | Chair, Department of Business and Management | United Arab Emirates | exxxxxxxxxxxxd@gmail.com |
| Mohamed Samaha | Associate Professor | Virginia, USA | sxxxxxxxxxxxxd@gmail.com |
| Mirosh Thomas | Visiting Faculty | Arkansas, USA | txxxxxxxxxxxh@gmail.com |
| Khalil Al Hussaini | Assistant Professor of Computing | United Arab Emirates | axxxxxxxl@gmail.com |
| Sujanya Ravishankar | Research And Teaching Assistant | Maryland, USA | rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxa@gmail.com |
| Mujtaba Yar Khan Siddiqui | Student | Dubai | yxxxxxxxxxa@gmail.com |
| Jenna Hostetler | Academic Advisor | North Carolina, USA | hxxxxxxxxxxxxxa@gmail.com |
| Samuel Cohen | Student Employee | Ohio, USA | cxxxxxxxxxxl@gmail.com |
| Elizabeth Torres | English Lecturer | California, USA | txxxxxxxxxxxxxxh@gmail.com |
| Siddharth Sagar | Mechanical Engineering Student | United Arab Emirates | sxxxxxxxxxxxxxh@gmail.com |
| Said Abdallah | Graduate Teaching Assistant / Lab engineer | Dubai | axxxxxxxxxxxd@gmail.com |
| Jenelyn Gallego | Finance Department | United Arab Emirates | gxxxxxxxxxxxxxn@gmail.com |
| Syeda Afreen | ERP systems Coordinator | Dubai | axxxxxxxxxxa@gmail.com |
| Muawieh Radaideh | Board Member | United Arab Emirates | rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxh@gmail.com |
| Hameed Al | Senior Admission Counselor | United Arab Emirates | axxxxxxxd@gmail.com |
| Shashini Sawal | Human Resources Officer | United Arab Emirates | sxxxxxxxxxxxxi@gmail.com |
| Silka Houghton | Junior Consultant | New York, USA | hxxxxxxxxxxxxa@gmail.com |
| Salman Pervaiz | Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering | United Arab Emirates | pxxxxxxxxxxxxn@gmail.com |
| Aida Ghazal | Marketing and Communications Manager | United Arab Emirates | gxxxxxxxxxa@gmail.com |
| Sagar | Student | Dubai | .xxxxr@gmail.com |
| Mahmoud wadi | Admissions Counselor | United Arab Emirates | wxxxxxxxxxxd@gmail.com |
| Mouna Zouaoui | Junior international consultant | Tunis, Tunis | zxxxxxxxxxxxa@gmail.com |
| Josh Rolls | Head Basketball Coach | United Arab Emirates | rxxxxxxxxh@gmail.com |
| Khosbon Almamon | Junior International Consultant | New York, USA | axxxxxxxxxxxxxn@gmail.com |
| Salman Pervaiz | Assistant Professor | United Arab Emirates | pxxxxxxxxxxxxn@gmail.com |
| Kelly Gosa | Associate Director of Student Affairs (acting director) | United Arab Emirates | gxxxxxxxxy@gmail.com |
| Maheen Hasib | Visiting Faculty Member | Dubai, Dubai | hxxxxxxxxxxn@gmail.com |
| Mohammed Yameen Khan | Student | United Arab Emirates | yxxxxxxxxxxxxxd@gmail.com |
| Jamaal Pitt | Senior Lecturer | North Carolina, USA | pxxxxxxxxxl@gmail.com |
| Samar Abdelhadi | Laboratory Assistant | Dubai | axxxxxxxxxxxxxr@gmail.com |
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