Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Dubai- UAE

BUiD launched today its third accredited PhD programme, in Computer Science at Dubai Internet City. Mr. Majed Al Suwaidi, Managing Director of Dubai Internet City, Dr. Abdullah al Karam, Chairman of Board of Directors and Director General - KHDA, Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of TECOM's Education Cluster, and Mr. Marc Jessel, British Council Country Director attended the launch,. Senior Management along with key employee and faculty members also were at the launch.

Prof. Abdullah Alshamsi, BUiD Vice Chancellor, welcomed the guests and talked about the programme: "The launch of the new PhD programme in Computer Science gives us a sense of pride, especially as it is the first of its kind offered in the UAE. It adds yet another milestone to BUiD's process of distinguished higher education in the region, under the valued guidance of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research."

Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of TECOM's Education Cluster which incorporates Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, said:

I would like to congratulate BUiD on this remarkable achievement. Launching a PhD in Computer Science is unprecedented in the UAE, and is proof of its consistent hard work and development efforts to offer world-class quality education. We have been working with BUiD for more than 10 years and we pride ourselves on this partnership and are confident that they create talented graduates and important research for the world's leading companies."

The accredited PhD programme has been developed to meet the growing needs of professionals in the UAE who have already achieved their Masters degree and wish to achieve the highest academic qualifications. The programme qualifies the PhD holders to work in academic institutions as professors, or to work in the industry as innovative professionals, be they operational or R&D oriented.

Prof. Bassam Abu Hijleh, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and IT, added:" This Programme meets a real need that exists in the regional and local market. Many IT professionals who want to pursue a doctoral programme without interrupting their current career or sacrificing their jobs can find this programme fitting and suitable. This programme was designed with those candidates in mind."

A panel discussion also took place at the event when key representatives such as BUiD's Alumnius Mr Sinan AlSheikh, IT Architect - IBM, Dr. Baju George, Managing Director -Dubai Smart City, Dr. Mohammed Saeed, Dean of Research and Deputy Dean of Academic affairs -Al Khwarizmi International College and Dr Sherief Abdullah, Associate Professor, Informatics programme -BUiD, participated in discussing the topic" The Importance of Research, Government and Industry Links: Challenges and opportunities."

The panel discussion explores the importance of academic & business collaboration, for addressing challenges such as the big data: as businesses collect a lot of data through their customers, how can this data be leveraged and analyzed to increase profit?  Opportunities for research, difficulties that inhibit these opportunities and ways for overcoming them were also discussed.

BUiD, the region's first research-based University, always aims to offer unique programmes that enrich the higher education scene in The UAE and support its agenda for higher education and scientific research.

-Ends-

About The British University in Dubai
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) was established in 2003 to be the Middle East's leading research-based postgraduate university, facilitating world-class education, training and research. It provides an important and growing community and resource for young professionals, leading academics, corporate managers and aspiring leaders of all description.

BUiD located in Dubai International Academic City, a truly local university, is licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and internationally (NARIC) recognised for its top quality education, which is on par with British standards thanks to its association with UK-based universities including the University of Edinburgh, the University of Manchester, Cardiff University, King's College London and the University of Reading.

BUiD offers full and part-time research based Masters Degree programmes, PG Diplomas and Certificates; the regions first accredited Doctorate in Education and the PhD in Project Management, Ph D in Architecture & Sustainable Built Environment. Masters programmes and Post Graduate Diplomas in: Education, Finance and Banking, Human Resource Management, Informatics (Knowledge and Data Management), IT Management, Project Management, Construction Management, Systems Engineering, Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, Sustainable Design of the Built Environment , Intelligent Building Design and Automation, Business administration(MBA) and Recently Structural Engineering. The non-profit university has attracted academic experts to develop regionally tailored programmes, in which they extend and challenge the boundaries of knowledge, understanding and research.

BUiD works in collaboration with leading organization and institutions including Atkins, Emirates Green Building Council, , the federal Ministry of Education, government and associated bodies Human Resource Forums agencies for Academic  and professional development across the UAE's public and private sectors.

The founders of the University are the Al Maktoum Foundation, the Dubai Development and Investment Authority, Rolls-Royce, the British Business Group and the National Bank of Dubai. The University is governed by a Council under the chancellorship of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

© Press Release 2014