The next generation of major projects in the region will need the support of IT professionals with a strong mix of technical know-how and management skills, if they are to reap the full benefits, according to experts gathered in Dubai today.
Given the complexity of the technology and the sophistication of the systems used by enterprises in the Gulf today, companies are increasingly reliant upon technology professionals with strong project management competencies to ensure they reap full business benefits.
Effective project management can help companies set realistic timetables for the introduction of new software and hardware, as well as ensuring that people within an organisation adopt new technology and use it effectively.
The relative shortfall of properly trained project management professionals within the region has caused problems for a number of companies, as has the lack of locally-trained IT managers.
To help offset this deficit, the British University in Dubai (BUiD) has designed a new Masters Degree in IT Management in partnership with the Universities of Edinburgh and Manchester in the UK, which will train students to successfully manage IT projects as well as teams of IT developers.
“Technology can have a major impact on the success of different organisations but it needs to be applied effectively and according to a realistic plan. There are many examples of projects in the region falling short due to a lack of effective project management, and this course – the first of its kind in the region – is designed to provide the human resource necessary to make such projects work,” said Dr. Habib Talhami, Head of the Institute of Informatics and Senior Lecturer at BUiD.
Executives at the University are confident that successful graduates will prove to be highly employable within the region.
“Talented project managers are in demand internationally, and particularly within the Gulf region, where there is a great deal of new development and an insufficient number of professionally-trained individuals. We hope that the creation of a new pool of qualified, locally-trained IT Managers will be warmly welcomed by regional organisations,” said Dr. Dr. Mohammed Dulaimi, Head of the Institute of Engineering, BUiD.
Industry experts present at the ceremony agreed with BUiD’s diagnosis of current regional trends.
“The buoyant GCC market is increasing the demand for IT managers and local talent is required to develop the regional ICT sector,” said David Brierley, Regional Manager, Cognos Middle East and Africa.
“This in turn will contribute to the creation of new industries. A country’s real growth and progress is measured by the skills and capacity of its workforce. There is real potential in this region and I believe we have a responsibility to develop local talent and facilitate knowledge transfer to build the local expertise,” added Brierley.
Modules on the programme include Strategy; IT Project Management; Data Mining & Exploration; Knowledge Management; Applied Databases; Cost and Value Management and People and Culture.
“One of the major objectives of the course is to provide students with the skills that are crucial to understanding the new knowledge-based economy while looking to empower graduates with a competitive advantage in the job market,” said David Lock, Registrar and Acting Chief Executive of BUiD.
The course can be taken either full-time or part-time. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation which takes the form of a research project that can be linked to one’s own business or research interests. Applications or inquiries can be made online at www.buid.ac.ae.
Degrees are awarded by the British University in Dubai according to standards set by the University of Edinburgh and the University of Manchester, and are fully accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
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 recognised 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, 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.
For further enquiries call BUiD on +971.4.391.3633.
