The British University in Dubai, the region’s first postgraduate research-based university, has appointed Dr.Abdullah M. Alshamsi, a UAE national, as its new Vice Chancellor.
Among his ambitious plans for BUiD, Dr. Alshamsi wants the university, and the advanced research it conducts, to play a major role in both the UAE’s private and public sectors which he says is crucial to the country’s future growth.
In doing-so, Dr. Alshamsi is also looking to rapidly expand the programmes which BUiD offers which could include PhDs and will double or even triple the size of the university’s student body.
The new Vice Chancellor also anticipates BUiD entering new partnerships with universities in Britain, building on the list of current partner institutions of Birmingham, Cardiff, City University Edinburgh and Manchester.
“Academic research has not always been a major priority in the UAE, but with the region developing at such a pace there will be greater demand for BUiD and the advanced work we are involved with,” said Dr. Alshamsi.
“BUiD can and will make a major impact at all levels of society and we will be looking to win more contracts to supply the government and major private companies with our advanced scientific research. I will also be using my 25 years of academic and industry experience to ensure that BUiD is known throughout the world for academic excellence.”
The impact the university will have on UAE society is supported by 48 percent of BUiD’s students being Emirati nationals, with the remaining 52 percent coming from 25 different nationalities.
The University is also committed to further increasing the number of Emiratis as the student body expands over future years, and recently announced an additional 90 new scholarships from the Emirates Foundation to add to the existing 130 currently in place.
Born and raised in the Emirate of Ajman, Dr. Alshamsi has studied at Leeds University in the England and the Georgia Institute of Technology in the USA, specialising in the fields of civil engineering and the built environment.
Prior to joining BUiD, Dr. Alshamsi had worked at UAE University for the last 25 years being promoted to the rank of Professor in 2002. Throughout much of this time he was conducting research which related to influence of hot weather factors on building materials.
Dr. Alshamsi’s academic background compliments two of BUiD’s five institutes of engineering and built environment, with the university’s others including the Institutes of Informatics, Education, and Finance and Banking.
Each of the institutes has been created to specifically to assist the development of those sectors in the UAE and enjoyed tremendous success since the university was opened in 2004.
BUiD aims to have almost 300 students passing through its doors by the end of 2007 and more than 1,000 students by 2010, a five-fold increase on the 200 plus students currently enrolled at the university.
Dr. Alshamsi also believes that the modern trend of allowing students to combine their careers while they study will ensure more prospective students and employers will look to join the Knowledge Village-based university.
BUiD offers part-time options in each of its institutes, enabling students to fully utilise their advanced masters’ programme without having to take a career break.
About British University in Dubai
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) is the Middle East’s first research-based, postgraduate university. The University was established to facilitate access to world-class education, training and research in the Middle East. BUiD aspires to the highest, internationally recognized British standards as reflected in its partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, Cardiff University and the Cass Business School at City University, London. Each has a five or five-star rating in the UK national Research Assessment Exercise that signifies research of international standard.
The not-for-profit university offers full and part-time Masters Degree programmes and Continuing Professional Development courses in Information Technology, Project Management, the Built Environment, Finance and Banking, Education and IT Management.
All BUiD’s current Masters Programmes have received Accreditation Eligibility Status from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s Commission for Academic Accreditation.
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 Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The Emirates Group, DUCAB, Atkins, Dubai Duty Free, Hyder Consulting, the Emirates Foundation and DUGAS are supporters of the university through financial contributions or the provision of scholarships.
