The British University in Dubai – the region’s first research based university – is conducting ground-breaking research and activities which it is hoped will result in a greater number of Arab women gaining access to senior positions in the business world.
In recent years there has been rapid growth in the number of Arab women advancing from junior level employees to middle level managers. However, just as in Western countries, Arab women are dramatically under-represented at senior levels of management, with statistics showing less than 10 percent of managerial positions being occupied by women.
After carrying out an extensive analysis of the role of Arab women in the work place, the team from BUiD’s Institute of Engineering, which operates the university’s Project Management Programme, is poised to launch several new exciting initiatives which it is hoped will create new management opportunities for women.
“Within the next few months, BUiD plans to establish specialist workshops, internships and shadowing programmes with high profile Arab companies, to assist women in their ambitions to break into senior managerial positions. We hope that in the long term this will ensure more Arab women are able to enter senior governmental positions, as well as the private sector, engineering and medicine,” says Dr Kasim Randeree, Programme Director and Lecturer on the MSc in Project Management, BUiD.
Currently BUiD’s Institute of Engineering is applying for funding from prestigious international sources which, if successful, will enable the wider establishment of activities to encourage more Arab women into the business world.
The key principles behind BUiD’s Project Management Programme have also been developed to parallel the diverse industries within the UAE such as oil and gas, IT, banking and finance, and construction.
This means that once they have completed their studies at BUiD, female graduates are not only equipped to conduct themselves in the modern business world, but also have a comprehensive grounding in key UAE business sectors.
Furthermore, BUiD plans to introduce a dedicated women-only track MSc in Project Management commencing in September 2006. Female students’ under-taking this dedicated track will, in addition to completing a Masters degree in one year, gain vital skills in areas such as assertiveness training and leadership skills.
“Although up to 65 percent of GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) university graduates are women, many of them only go onto work in clerical positions in Government offices such as the immigration service. BUiD is actively supporting the aims of the UAE government, through its programmes and community activities, to ensure more of these highly trained individuals reach the private sector,” concluded Dr Randeree.
For informal enquiries for the MSc in Project Management women-only track or to participate Dr Randeree’s “Advancement of Women in the UAE” team, contact 04 367 1965.
Due to the mourning period for the passing of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, the new semester at the British University in Dubai will begin on Saturday 28 January 2006.
About The 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 now 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 and Education. Subject to accreditation, a new Masters programme in Finance and Banking will be offered in spring 2006.
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 managed by a provisional council under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The Emirates Group, DUCAB, Atkins and Dubai Duty Free are supporters of the university through financial contributions or the provision of scholarships.
