Dubai, May 20, 2009: Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of DEC, University of Dubai (UD) celebrated the graduation of its seventh batch on Wednesday, May 20, at the Cultural and Scientific Association.

The ceremony started at six pm with the Emirati National Anthem. It was followed by the graduates' march after which the Quran was recited. The speakers then took the stage and the first speaker was the Head of the Board of Trustees.The second speaker represented the graduates after which the gradutes received their certificates and degrees. The ceremony concluded with a buffet for all the attendees.

After welcoming His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and the attendees, Mr. Majid Al-Shamsi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Dubai said that the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council of the UD graduation ceremony for the second time, reflected H.H.'s care and interest in supporting and encouraging Emirati youth. It is a singular honor for all UD graduates, students and staff, he said.

Mr. Majid Al-Shamsi, added: "I am very glad to meet everyone today to celebrate the graduation of a new batch of UD students on which occasion we assure that we will keep moving on the same path that UD Founder and Patron His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has planned. The current graduates are also an assurance to society and the businessworld of the university's commitment in providing qualified personnel to work in all productive fields. The graduates will play their roles in the comprehensive development process of UAE."

Mr. Majid Al-Shamsi pointed out in his speech that UD had earned the the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) international accreditation for its business school. No other private university accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has earned this accreditation. In addition to this accreditation from the AACSB, the UD's Computing and Information Systems (CIS) bachelor program at the College of Information Technology had also been fully accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

(In passing, it is worth mentioning that the AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education and has been earned by less than 5 per cent of the world's business schools. As required by AACSB standards, all accredited schools must go through a peer review process every 5 years in order to maintain their accreditation).

Mr. Majid Al-Shamsi added that UD was established by Dubai Chamber in the year 1997, as the "Dubai University College for Applied Studies" in order to provide qualified personnel empowered by cutting-edge skills to contribute to the Emiratisation strategy. At the beginning of 2000, it became known as the "Dubai University College" (DUC), following a decision from the Court of His Highness the Ruler of Dubai. UD also earned its academic accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for its programs for Bachelor of Business Administration in various disciplines and in Computer Science and Information Technology. A major academic step was taken when His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, decided to change the name of the university from Dubai University College to the University of Dubai. It was a complete change in branding and posed a new challenge to which the university rose up admirably, proving to be the new star in the galaxy of private higher education system in the UAE.

Mr. Majid Al-Shamsi added in his speech that the successful shift from "Dubai University College For Applied Studies" (DUC) to "University of Dubai" (UD), witnessed parallel developments in terms of numbers of students, and therefore numbers of graduates, numbers and quality of faculty members, ratio of students to professors, academic programs, methods of teaching and training, support services like library and computer network, management and development of ties with various State authorities.

The Head of the Board of Trustees confirmed that the university was hall-marked by the lofty directions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the unstinted support of the Dubai Chamber (formerly Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry) which is the sponsor of the university since its inception and throughout its successful journey. This has enabled it to formulate its vision that involves a series of goals which has made it one of the best private universities specializing in business administration and information technology in the Middle East.

Al-Shamsi touched on an important matter relating to the UD's success and excellence, which is the proposed establishment of new premises that suits the outstanding status of the university, besides helping to accommodate the increasing numbers of students. Al-Shamsi said that soon this dream will become a reality thanks to the favor of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in granting a piece of land of 3 million square feet surface area. His Highness' valuable contribution further recognises the achievements and successes of the university, and the new building with its unique design will help it attain the level to which it aspires. It will also meet the needs of the university for expansion, since it is in the process of establishing a college of law. The new programs will have very special features and will focus on legislation and laws related to world economy and business.

 Majid Al-Shamsi concluded his speech by reminding the graduates about the virtues that will benefit them in their future business life like piety, devotion to work, work ethic, team work, cooperation and harmony among colleagues, respect for superiors and officers, being up-to-date with all new developments in science and technology, keeping in touch with the university that taught, trained and qualified them. "The university always welcomes them to know their views and tap their suggestions and will be available to resolve their problems and meet their academic and professional needs," he said.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Mr. Khalid Mohammed Ali expressed the joy of graduation and thanked the parents who were present and the university administration and its faculty. He mentioned the university's tireless striving that made it receive an international recognition, thus becoming the first university in the UAE to receive recognition in all its specializations. Khalid said that the international recognition crowned the university's efforts where the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum which states that "I and my people love the first place!" has been applied.

Khalid also thanked the leaders and rulers of the UAE for their support and encouragement of education and knowledge which aims at advancing the development and progress of the nation in particular and the Arab world in general. The graduates will help achieve the hopes and aspirations of the State to reach the heights of excellence and prominence in various fields of science and knowledge, all the time being equipped with the highest sense of ethics and noble values.

Later, the master of ceremonies invited His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, along with Mr. Majid Al-Shamsi, Dr. Omar Hefni, President of the University of Dubai and the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration to honor the graduates, present them certifications and distribute the degrees. This was followed by the closing ceremony and the beginning of the gala dinner.

The graduation ceremony was attended by His Excellency Abdul Rahman Saif Al-Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber, His Excellency Majid Al-Shamsi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Dubai, Dr. Omar Hefni, President of the University of Dubai , members of the administrative and teaching staff plus the parents of the students and graduates.

-Ends- 

About University of Dubai:
As a corporate academic university in partnership with Dubai Chamber (formerly known as Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry), UD strives to be pre-eminent in providing the highest quality applied learning based on international academic standards, in addition to professional development services to the workforce in both the private and public sectors. UD has two colleges; the College of Business Administration (CBA) and the College of Information Technology (CIT). The CBA offers Bachelor degree in Business Administration (BBA) with specialization in Management, Marketing, Finance & Banking and Accounting. The CIT offers Bachelor degree in Computing Information Systems. All these programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. UD is a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). UD is working very hard on earning the AACSB and ABET accreditation for its degree programs. Hopefully, when accomplished, UD will be placed on the world map among the best Business and Information Technology Colleges. For more information, please visit www.ud.ac.ae 

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