AUD graduates ready for the increasingly demanding market in the building industry

Dubai, January 11, 2012. Students majoring in Interior Design and Architecture at the American University in Dubai (AUD) have recently passed the Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 Associate and Professional Certifications. Revit Architecture is the Building Information Modeling (BIM) solution used at AUD. "As we look back to summarize 2011, Autodesk is very pleased to have extended its close collaboration with AUD to offer the professional certification program for Revit Architecture to their students," comments Mr. Tomas Karlsson, Certification Programs Manager for Autodesk EMEA.

AUD is the first academic institution in the Middle East region that has chosen to become an Autodesk Certification Center, thereby adding an internationally recognized industry credential to its programs. Prof. Alex Albani, Assistant Professor of Architecture and Interior Design at AUD explains, "I joined AUD over four years ago with the intention of introducing Building Information Modeling (BIM) into academia. A lot of universities and especially those who offer graduate programs are catching up with this subject as the new form of practice in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. We really were one of the first in this region to introduce BIM into our curriculum."

"Proud is indeed the right word for this achievement when you think that only a year ago, Prof. Alex Albani was the fourth person to pass the Associate Certification and the first to obtain the Professional Certification in BIM in the whole MENA region!" comments Dr. Nabyl Chenaf, Dean of the School of Architecture, Art and Design. "Thanks to Prof. Albani, AUD is now regarded as a pioneer in integrating BIM in Academia and thus preparing graduates that are ready for the increasingly demanding market in the building industry."

Companies today operate in a global and highly competitive context. Hiring the best talents has therefore become key to drive long-term business success. "Students who graduate with additional qualifications such as the Autodesk certifications that demonstrate that they have the required knowledge for the needs of industry today will be better positioned to win those positions compared to their peers," explains Mr. Karlsson.   

"I am just so proud that students in my advanced BIM II course, Larisa Koshkina, Sara Kamel, Annika Nemlander, Azadeh Garshasbi, Alaa Eltoun, Nikta Jahandad and Orchid Taghiganji passed the Certification," concludes Prof. Albani. These Autodesk certifications are now setting up a benchmark of excellence and an international measured mastery of application.

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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 International Studies, Business Administration (both undergraduate and graduate), Communication and Information Studies, Engineering, Computer and Information Technology, Computer Science, Architecture, Visual Communication and Interior Design, Education (graduate), and Construction Management (graduate), in addition to a Certificate program in Middle Eastern Studies.

  • 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.

  • The Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering Programs 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 any queries, please contact:
Ms. Rim Ibrahim
Marketing Communications Coordinator
American University in Dubai
T. +971 4 3183 139
E. ribrahim@aud.edu
 

© Press Release 2012