Dubai, January 30, 2011. The American University in Dubai (AUD) is now officially the first and only academic institution in the Middle East to become an Authorized Certification Center for all Autodesk® products and software.

Autodesk® certifications are a confirmation of the high level of skills and knowledge taught at AUD. They lead to accelerated professional development, improved productivity, and enhanced credibility for our students vis-a-vis their potential employers.

Commenting on this validation of knowledge and benchmark for excellence worldwide for AUD, Dr. Nabyl Chenaf, Chair and Associate Professor of Architecture and Interior Design at AUD says:

"I sincerely think that students at AUD have shown a real hunger for knowledge and seem to have a genuine readiness for embracing cutting-edge technology, it is only natural that by becoming a certification center, AUD and Autodesk want to give a chance to our students and others in the region to earn a valid and legitimate certificate that confirms the quality of their skills and competencies".

AUD had recently added another accolade to its long list of successes with Assistant Professor of Architecture and Interior Design Prof. Alex Albani becoming the first person in the UAE to earn the Professional Certificate for Revit Architecture (BIM). Prof. Albani became one of four in the UAE to earn the Associate Certificate for Revit Architecture (software used in Building Information Modeling - BIM). It is thanks to his efforts that AUD is today an Autodesk Authorized Certification Center.

Autodesk® is a world leader in 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software.

-Ends- 

About AUD
The American University in Dubai (AUD) is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995. It serves UAE nationals and international students who seek world-class career-oriented education. AUD, as an international institution of higher education, encourages global understanding by providing an atmosphere of cultural diversity and opportunities for an international education.

AUD is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees.   

AUD is officially licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry has accredited the university's programs in Architecture, Business Administration (both undergraduate and graduate), Communication and Information Studies, Engineering, Information Technology, Visual Communication and Interior Design, in addition to a Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies program.

AUD is approved to operate by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).

AUD has received specialized accreditation for its Bachelor's of Business Administration (B.B.A.), and Master's of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in business through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The university's undergraduate concentrations in Marketing Communications and Advertising (Creative) have been accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA) in New York.

All programs (i.e., Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering) of AUD's School of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology (B.S.C.I.T.) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

For more information, please visit www.aud.edu.

For more information, please contact
Ms. Rim Ibrahim
Marketing Communications Coordinator
American University in Dubai
T. +971 4 3183 139
E. ribrahim@aud.edu

© Press Release 2011