To help build the UAE's innovation ecosystem

Abu Dhabi, 25 February 2015:

With the United Arab Emirates' classification of the year 2015 as the "Year of Innovation", Abu Dhabi University is determined to take the lead at the educational frontier in graduating national cadres that can participate in the nation's race towards establishing a knowledge-based economy that becomes a global force to be reckoned with.  Twenty Master of Engineering Management students at the University's College of Engineering just completed a course titled "Innovation and Entrepreneurship", which was integrated into the curriculum with the start of the academic year. The course aims to boost the innovative spirit and entrepreneurship culture amongst the students, enabling them to utilize research and discovery methodologies to break the mold and think outside the box.

Part of the "Innovation and Entrepreneurship" course gave the participating students the opportunity to attend workshops at the recent "WSA-mobile Global Congress 2015", during which the students prepared case studies that highlighted some of the winning projects of the WSA, thereby giving them further insight into the limitless world of technological innovations.

Commenting on this addition to the curriculum, Rima Shaban, Manager of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre "ADU Enterprise" explained that the workshops embodied the practical in -the -field knowledge Abu Dhabi University ensures to instill in both undergraduate and postgraduate students. "Entrepreneurship and innovation are an integral part of the academic curriculum of most programs offered at Abu Dhabi University. They are characteristics that are very much in demand and are considered the driving force of SMEs which constitute the backbone of the UAE's non-oil GDP and will the enhance the nation's transition into a knowledge based economy. Abu Dhabi University has always been keen on contributing to the development of a workforce that is inclined to more innovative industries. Our partnership with WSA-mobile Global Congress 2015 is part of our commitment to that contribution. As part of their academic curriculum, around 20 of ADU's Masters of Engineering Management students were given the opportunity to develop business case studies on several winning projects of the WSA. These case studies allowed our students to further educate themselves on the concepts of innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby broadening their horizons and encouraging them to spread ADU's innovative culture".

Although the "Innovation and Entrepreneurship" course is currently only a part of the academic curriculum of ADU's Master of Engineering Management and the Master of Project Management and as a graduation project component of the undergraduate engineering programs; however, the University is working on integrating the course within the academic curriculum of the rest of its undergraduate programs as well. Crowned the "Best Supporting University for Entrepreneurship" in the UAE and the Arab World during the Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders in its 8th cycle, Abu Dhabi University is bound to lead higher educational institutions in the region through their exploration of the world of innovation.

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About Abu Dhabi University (ADU)
Since its inception in 2000, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and President of Abu Dhabi University's Board of Regents, Abu Dhabi University has become one of the region's leading centers of academic excellence. Its vibrant and cosmopolitan student population represents more than 63 nationalities. Through its globally competitive curriculum, ADU formulates highly unique degree programs that maximize graduates' chances of employment. It strives to become one of the world's elite institutions of world-class education and applied research. In addition to a dynamic range of extracurricular activities, ADU also instills a strong spirit of social responsibility in its students so that graduates can help to transform not only their industries; but also their communities and above all, their world.

Abu Dhabi University is licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, with all its undergraduate and postgraduate programs accredited. ADU was also the first university to receive the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award in 2010. Dedicated to achieving excellence on all academic and organizational levels, today ADU is one of only six universities in the UAE to enter the ranks of the world's top 700 universities in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university rankings of 2014 - 2015.

Additionally, for its support and patronage of entrepreneurship, Abu Dhabi University was also awarded the "Best Supporting University for Entrepreneurship" in the UAE and the Arab World during the Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders in its 8th cycle. The College of Engineering also received international accreditation from the world-renowned Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET for three of its engineering programs, while the College of Business Administration is within the niche ranks of only 5% of the world's business programs that have earned international accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business -AACSB.

For media/press inquiries about Abu Dhabi University please contact:
Omnia Hassan
Public Relations & Media Officer
PO Box: 59911, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Direct: +971 (0)2 501 5624
Mobile: +971 (0)50 220 5281  
Email: Omnia.hassan@adu.ac.ae
Web: www.adu.ac.ae

© Press Release 2015