University of Dubai underlines its outstanding position with top 10 achievements of 2014

University of Dubai has described the year gone by as a period of great achievements and major initiatives, which have helped enhance its position as one of the pioneering universities in the UAE.

As one of the leading higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates, the University of Dubai has made remarkable strides in 2014. The University of Dubai is committed to excellence in the field of knowledge transfer. The recent achievements reflect the success of the universitys sustained efforts to support the development of higher education in the UAE and the region, said Dr. Eesa M. Bastaki, President of the university.

Identifying its top 10 achievements of 2014, the university stated that in April it became one of the 85 business schools which have extended their AACSB accreditation in business. AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, masters and doctorate degrees in business and accounting.

In the month of May, IBM and the University of Dubai announced a plan to establish a Smarter Cities Institute. The center has been conceptualized as a venue for businesses, universities and city-administrators to develop and test solutions for future urban demands and Smart City challenges.

In the same month, the University announced the ground-breaking for its new premises located at Dubai Academic City. The ground-breaking ceremony took place in the presence of H.E. Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber. The month of May also marked the 15th year of the universitys operation, which it celebrated with 12th graduation ceremony of 111 students at the Cultural and Scientific Association in Dubai. The ceremony was celebrated under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The University of Dubai Alumni Association organized charity 'Suhoor' in June to support financially challenged students. The event, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, raised AED 500,000.

In August, University of Dubai launched its PhD program in Business Administration with 17 students in first batch of which 15 were Emiratis. The university also celebrated the awarding of the British Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM-UK) Level 5 and Level 7 programs, making it the first university in the Middle East to offer these certifications to its graduates of the Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, and MBA in Leadership & Human Resources Management.

In the month of November, the University of Dubai and San Diego State University announced a joint project to establish a Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI). CEI is a research, innovation and consultancy center that works in partnership with San Diego State University's Center for Information Convergence & Strategy (CICS). The Center offers a platform for students, alumni, and faculty to network and develop their start-up ideas and support entrepreneurs through all steps of the entrepreneurial process. Projects under consideration range from healthcare, health informatics, law enforcement, security, trade, education and public policy.

In December, the University announced that it has been ranked along with nine other universities from the UAE among the top 50 universities in the first QS University Rankings Arab Region report. During the month, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), the accredited professional Human Resources organization in USA, acknowledged that University of Dubais BBA-HRM Program Fully Aligns with SHRMs HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. With this acknowledgment, it has now become possible for University of Dubais BBA-HRM graduates to directly apply for the SHRM professional examination and certification.

SHRM certification (similar to ILM Level 5) is equally and highly valued by the employers globally and therefore University of Dubai HRM graduates command premium in the industry. Throughout the world, 365 programs in 268 educational institutions have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides and Templates.