The University of Wolverhampton has won a prestigious contract to support the training and development of school leaders in the United Arab Emirates.
The University successfully bid for the contract with the Ministry of Education in the UAE which will benefit school principals and their assistants.
The aim is to provide school leaders with career development programmes and help improve educational and administrative practices in schools for all age groups.
The project will mean groups of headteachers from UK schools will visit the UAE as part of leadership training to offer advice about good practice. Headteachers from the UAE will also come to the UK to see how schools leaders operate in this country.
Academics from the University will also deliver training and short modules in the UAE.
The deal was agreed in the United Arab Emirates by University of Wolverhampton Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Geoff Hampton, and HE Humaid Al Qattami, Minister of Education.
Sir Geoff Hampton said: "This is a prestigious programme with the Ministry of Education and we are delighted to have been successful in our bid.
"The education field is a key area for development in the UAE and we look forward to playing an important role in the future of schools in the region."
Jo Gittens, Director, International, said: "Over the last three years, we have raised the profile of the University through a range of activities and campaigns and by having a regular presence in the Emirates. The UAE was identified as a market for educational consultancy and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) work and we have focused our efforts on these areas.
"We are pleased the Ministry of Education was impressed with our bid and look forward to working with them on the leadership programme."
At the University's presentation in the UAE, HE Al Qattami affirmed the Ministry of Education was keen to elevate the performance within schools and reinforce high standards, in line with their Education Development Strategy.
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Notes to editors
- The University of Wolverhampton has 23,000 students and 2,500 staff in the West Midlands and has global operations in India, Malaysia, China, Nigeria, Poland and Cyprus.
- It is 2nd best in Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) activity in the UK and first in the West Midlands. KTPs help companies to benefit from graduates working on a specific project with academic support.
- Our excellent teaching and learning provision, which spans sciences, creative and performing arts, education, business and management, health and wellbeing, engineering and technology, law and social sciences, ensures 90% of graduates find employment.
- Of the 11 subject areas entered in the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008), eight had elements graded as world leading and all subjects had elements graded as internationally excellent.
- We have invested £110m in the last ten years on campus and student facilities.
For more information please contact Vickie Warren in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322736
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© Press Release 2010
