Reappointment of University Council comprising senior local and British executives for the proper governance of Dubai's foremost accredited research-based University
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai by Decree 7/11 has formally approved the continuing operations of Dubai's The British University in Dubai ( BUiD) under the governance of a Council, established under the chairmanship of HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of The Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World and Chancellor of BUiD. The other council members are H E Mirza Al Sayegh, Director, Office of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Abdalla Mohammed Al Amiri - Advisor to Minister of Education, Ahmed Saeed Bin Hezeem Al Suwaidi - General Manager , Dubai Courts, Dr. Ayoub Kazim - MD, TECOM Investments Education Cluster, Prof Abdullah Alshamsi, Vice-Chancellor - BUiD, David May - Executive Director, Khansaheb, Douglas Dowie - Legal Advisor Al Futtaim Pvt. ltd, Jennifer Bibbings - Partner, Trowers and Hamlin, Rob Watson , Regional Director Middle East, Rolls Royce, Richard Cotton, Director, British Council and Martin Prince, Registrar, BUiD.
The University Council is the official policy-making and governing body of BUiD. It is responsible for all aspects of institutional direction, including approval of strategic plans and objectives encompassing all aspects of BUiD's activities and oversight of business. The Council is responsible for the overall mission of BUiD, financial resources to support BUiD's goals and endorsement of plans and budgets and strategies for the University's progress. The Council is also responsible for the selection and approval of the Vice-Chancellor, to ensure that the performance and reputation of the University remains on a strong trajectory.
The Council have been meeting regularly and running the affairs of the University since BUiD's establishment by Decree of Ruler of Dubai, Law No.5 /2003 in 2003, and they recently met after the issuance of the Rulers Decree7/11 on 12th May 2011, to discuss the University's academic and administrative affairs and strategy for their new academic year 2011/2012. The Council expressed its deep gratitude to HH The Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HH The Deputy Ruler, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of The Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World for their patronage and guidance in its work.
H E Mirza Al Sayegh key founding member of BUiD's Council said "BUiD has come a long way since its first accredited establishment in 2003, it now offers ten research intensive Masters programmes along with the region's first accredited Doctorate in Education. It is the only University to have more than 600 students enrolled for research-intensive programmes, its academic staff are very active in terms of research having published over 1000 papers through leading Journals, conference papers and books.
The Council appointed Prof. Abdullah Al Shamsi as the Vice-Chancellor in February 2007 and since then Prof. Abdullah Alshamsi has been reporting to the Council on matters related to Academic and Administrative affairs of the University. At the meeting he recognized the role played by BUiD's founding members i.e., the Dubai Development Authority , Al Maktoum Foundation, British Business Group, Rolls Royce and National Bank of Dubai and also the role played by the UK associated universities such as University of Manchester , University of Birmingham, Edinburgh University, Kings College London and Cardiff University. Prof Abdullah Al Shamsi commenting on the new direction the University is taking said "Having successfully established advanced learning through Master's and Doctorate programmes, the University is now planning to introduce programmes for Undergraduates in key areas of relevance to our knowledge-based economy and society, subject to accreditation from Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research". He added "The launch of BUiD's first Ph D and undergraduate programme will enhance and respond to local requirements and demands for academic education, BUiD has a rare capability to offer learning, teaching and academic governance based on the widely-respected British higher education model. BUiD is certainly one of very few academic institutions able to provide such a distinct and distinguished experience of world-class British education, with regional currency and local relevance."
Mr. Martin Prince, BUiD's Registrar said "Good governance is crucial to the efficient and proper administration of the University. The Ruler and Government of Dubai place great importance on the highest standards of propriety and effectiveness in this area, so it is indeed invaluable to receive this endorsement for the university and the Council through the issue of the Rulers Decree 7/11"
Mr David May, one of the Founding members of BUiD's Council and Managing Director at Khansaheb and former Chairman of the British Business Group commented "The British University in Dubai is an important part of the educational landscape in the UAE as it provides a unique standards for graduate education in the Middle East by bringing the best of British education to UAE and meeting the training needs of the region, as a federally licensed University."
Dr Ayoub Kazim of Dubai International Academic City commented: "We are delighted to have BUiD as one of our key academic partners, offering excellent post-graduate education intended to serve our community and local industry in addition to contributing to the wider knowledge economy. Over the years since its establishment, this institution has successfully attracted high-caliber students to its accredited programmes developed in association with world class British universities. In terms of the number of postgraduate students and alumni, BUiD is the largest academic institution in academic City and possibly within the UAE."
BUiD's council leads the University engagement with governments business and the wider community. The University considers itself very fortunate to have the influential approachable and informed Council membership presented by the Rulers Decree.
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About The British University in Dubai
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) is 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 academic, corporate managers and aspiring leaders of all description.
BUiD, a truly local university, is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and internationally 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 Birmingham, the University of Manchester, Cardiff University, and King's College London.
BUiD offers full and part-time research based Masters Degree programmes; the regions first accredited Doctorate in Education. The Masters programmes are: Education, Finance and Banking, Human Resource Management, Informatics (Knowledge and Data Management), IT Management, Project Management, Systems Engineering, Construction Law and Dispute Resolution, Sustainable Design of the Built Environment and Intelligent Building Design and Automation.
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 Council Building, KHDA, Ministry of Education, Dubai Human Resource Forum, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ADCCI) and CIOB among others, to encourage 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 chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
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© Press Release 2011
