University for applied technology to be set up

26 March 2006

Abu Dhabi: A new university for applied technology will be set up in Abu Dhabi as part of an initiative in education undertaken jointly by Etisalat and the Institute of Applied Technology.

The two bodies yesterday signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to help develop the education and research sector in the UAE.

Mohammad Hassan Omran, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat, and Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Applied Technology, signed the agreements at Etisalat's head office in Abu Dhabi.

Scholarships
The first states Etisalat will supervise the establishment of a new university for applied technology in Abu Dhabi, which will be a subsidiary of the Institute of Applied Technology.

It will offer Bachelors, Masters and PhD programmes in various modern sciences and is expected to be open for admissions by September 2008.

The second memorandum states the two parties will collaborate to design, develop, and operate an advanced internet network dedicated to research and development. It will connect all universities and educational institutes in the UAE.

According to the terms of the third memorandum, the Institute of Applied Technology has agreed to offer scholarships to 30 postgraduate students to study at Etisalat University College. These graduates will then form the core of a research and development centre.

Omran said: "The implementation of the three agreements will be a turning point in our efforts towards developing the higher education sector in the UAE."

Al Hammadi said: "The new university will represent the core of the collaboration between technical education and key industrial and technological organizations."

Turning point
The three MoUs to help develop education and research in the UAE were signed by the two bodies yesterday. The Institute of Applied Technology has started its operations on four campuses, in Dubai, Al Ain, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah. Its first batch of students commenced the course in September 2005 and the second batch will start in September 2006. It already has around 1,600 students and the first batch will graduate in July 2008.

Etisalat has contributed to the development of the academic and professional sectors by establishing both the Etisalat University College in 1989, and Etisalat Academy in 2000. While the college provides academic programmes in several engineering specialisations, the academy is closely involved with professional training and development. The corporation has also lent its support to a number of other activities and practices such as EasyLearning, which was launched recently by Etisalat Academy.

By Staff Reporter

Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.