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Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi University (ADU) participated in this year’s edition of the Bett Middle East and Africa (MEA) Leadership Conference, the world’s largest education technology event. Professor Waqar Ahmad, Chancellor and Provost at ADU, took part in a panel discussion during the two-day conference which took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Professor Waqar participated on the panel entitled ‘Skills gap: are universities in MEA moving beyond lip service?’ discussing the looming capacity gap, which will inevitably be created by the displacement of jobs due to automation. The primary challenge presented by university leaders on the panel was the development of strategic methods to equip graduates with the skills necessary to succeed in tomorrow’s workforce. Throughout the discussion, participants examined potential solutions to help close the capacity gap within the next five years and beyond.
Commenting on the event, Professor Waqar said, “It gives me immense pride to represent the ADU community and engage in dialogue with other academic and industry leaders to find ways of closing the skills gap. Our student success strategy has key graduate skills as its starting point. To succeed in a rapidly changing job market, graduates need transferable skills, including leadership, teamwork, adaptability and the courage to try new things. Employers too need to begin giving equal weighting to transferable skills alongside the degree subject. This is what Abu Dhabi University is providing its graduates, irrespective of the subject of their degree.”
“As part of its Students First approach, ADU prioritizes the future of its graduates”, continued Professor Waqar. ‘Apart from providing cutting edge programs, we are also investing in skill development through co-curricular and extra-curricular activities such as involvement in University governance, internships, clubs and societies and sports.’
ADU continues to participate in local and regional academic events to encourage knowledge exchange and fruitful discussions with international experts in education. Using solutions and results from these events, the University is constantly evolving its long-term strategy to offer its students a well-rounded education experience complete with internationally accredited degrees. It will soon introduce innovative programs in several fields of engineering including cyber security, AI and robotics, biomedical, industrial, and software.
Other sessions throughout the event focused on innovation in education and the value of smart teaching. The convention serves to encourage educators to develop and implement creative ideas into their respective curricula that will have a positive impact on student success whilst overcoming various obstacles in the workplace.
For more information about Bett MEA, please visit: https://mea.bettshow.com/ .
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About Abu Dhabi University (ADU)
Abu Dhabi University is a private, multi-campus University committed to meeting the education, skills and knowledge needs in the United Arab Emirates and neighboring countries through qualifications and standards that are respected across the world.
Although young, the University is recognized as a world-class institution committed to excellence in teaching, student experience, research and corporate education. We are regularly featured in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) rankings as among the best higher education institutions in the region. We hold prestigious international accreditations for the institution as a whole, for particular fields of provision and for specific programs. We were the first private higher education institution in the UAE and the GCC region to earn international accreditation from the Californian Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). ADU’s College of Business holds international accreditations from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the prestigious EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). Only 1% of business schools worldwide have this double accreditation. In addition, its College of Engineering has earned accreditation from the world-renowned Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) and the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). It houses the only architecture program to hold accreditation by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
According to the QS World Universities Rankings, ADU ranks in the top 701-750 universities worldwide, the top 150 leading institutions under 50 years, the top 27 universities in the Arab World, and the top 6 in the UAE. Being rated 3rd globally for international faculty and 10th for international students, we consider diversity to be among our key strengths.
Established in 2003, Abu Dhabi University has over 7,500 students from over 80 nationalities across its four campuses and sponsored programs. Structured into Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Law and the University College, we offer undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, law, education, business and management, engineering and sciences, including to Etihad pilots, trainees and personnel of the UAE military. Alongside the well-established campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, we have launched a new campus in Dubai Knowledge Park and recently opened a teaching facility in the Al Dhafra Region of the Abu Dhabi Emirate. In addition, a brand-new state-of-the-art campus is planned to open in Al Ain in September 2019.
Media Contacts
Weber Shandwick for Abu Dhabi University
Mohammed Al Azzam /
malazzam@webershandwick.com /
+971 2 449 4457
Abu Dhabi University
Noor AlMasri, Senior Marketing Operations Manager /
noor.almasri@adu.ac.ae /
+971 506195700
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