SHARJAH- The American University of Sharjah, AUS, has taken a new initiative to enhance and centralise its executive education offerings by creating a new Office of Executive Education and Professional Development. OEPE. The new office will fall under the Office of the university's Chancellor.
AUS Chancellor Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve announced that Dr. Ilias Visvikis had been appointed Director of OEPE, as well as the Professor of Finance, in the AUS School of Business Administration.
Dr. Visvikis has several years of international experience, designing and managing executive education portfolios and professional development short courses, as well as structured programmes, including graduate diplomas, masters degrees and MBAs, in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe.
The announcement comes as the demand for executive education in the Gulf has been increasing steadily, with employees and employers both recognising the value of continuing education.
"What we are seeing in the region is a recognition that quality professional education plays a role in individual career development, as well as in adding value to an organisation as a whole," Dr. Visvikis said.
"Business people are becoming more career-oriented, and understand that continuing their education beyond their degree is critical to career advancement and increased earning potential. We are also seeing company leaders actively pursuing executive education for talented members of their workforce, as it is an important means to retain their best staff and ensure long-term profitability for the business," he added.
The OEPE will serve as the centralised point of contact across the AUS colleges. The office will offer customised programmes, designed to meet the specific needs of clients. A portfolio of open enrolment courses is also under development, drawing on the expertise of the universitys faculty members. The OEPE will be responsible for the design, development and delivery stages of such non-credit, non-degree granting courses and programmes.
Dr. Visvikis noted, "The AUS is well placed to deliver outstanding executive education, thanks to its long-held reputation as one of the regions leading universities.
Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.
AUS Chancellor Dr. Bjorn Kjerfve announced that Dr. Ilias Visvikis had been appointed Director of OEPE, as well as the Professor of Finance, in the AUS School of Business Administration.
Dr. Visvikis has several years of international experience, designing and managing executive education portfolios and professional development short courses, as well as structured programmes, including graduate diplomas, masters degrees and MBAs, in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe.
The announcement comes as the demand for executive education in the Gulf has been increasing steadily, with employees and employers both recognising the value of continuing education.
"What we are seeing in the region is a recognition that quality professional education plays a role in individual career development, as well as in adding value to an organisation as a whole," Dr. Visvikis said.
"Business people are becoming more career-oriented, and understand that continuing their education beyond their degree is critical to career advancement and increased earning potential. We are also seeing company leaders actively pursuing executive education for talented members of their workforce, as it is an important means to retain their best staff and ensure long-term profitability for the business," he added.
The OEPE will serve as the centralised point of contact across the AUS colleges. The office will offer customised programmes, designed to meet the specific needs of clients. A portfolio of open enrolment courses is also under development, drawing on the expertise of the universitys faculty members. The OEPE will be responsible for the design, development and delivery stages of such non-credit, non-degree granting courses and programmes.
Dr. Visvikis noted, "The AUS is well placed to deliver outstanding executive education, thanks to its long-held reputation as one of the regions leading universities.
Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.
