H.E. Dr. Hanif Hassan, Education Minister, has paid his first visit to the British University in Dubai (BUiD), the only dedicated postgraduate, research-based university in the UAE, as part of a fact-finding tour.
During his visit, the Minister was presented to a number of BUiD’s students and had the opportunity to hear about research being conducted on the campus, including original studies into the development of the Arabic language, environmental design in Gulf construction and breakthrough technology and education projects.
“We are greatly honoured to receive His Excellency the Minister of Education at the University and to brief him on the progress that has been made during the first two years of operations. It provided us with an opportunity to discuss the role of BUiD in supporting the economic and social development of the UAE in line with the vision of its rulers and playing a part in the move to a knowledge-based society,” said David Lock, Registrar and Acting Chief Executive of BUiD.
The Minister praised BUiD’s success in integrating its educational efforts, commenting: “BUiD is a clear role model for academic institutions. It has worked in partnership with commercial and state bodies and reached out to the community towards the achievement of national goals.”
BUiD has received ongoing praise for supporting original research in the Middle East, leveraging a network of strong relationships with its British partner universities, as well as industry partnerships with some of the region’s leading companies to support new studies.
This network has enabled the University to blend high level research projects conducted in partnership with colleagues in the UK with on-the-ground industry insight from the Middle East’s major employers.
Partner UK institutions include the University of Edinburgh, the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, Cardiff University and the Cass Business School at City University, London, while industry partners include the Emirates Group, DUCAB, Atkins, Hyder Consulting, the Emirates Foundation, DUGAS and Dubai Duty Free.
“The Ministry of Education’s support for our efforts to provide first-class postgraduate education here in the UAE is very welcome and to be acknowledged as part of the wider strategy of supporting the long-term growth of the intellectual and knowledge economy of the country and region is most encouraging,” added Lock.
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. A new Masters programme in Finance and Banking will be offered in September 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 council under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The Emirates Group, DUCAB, Atkins, Hyder Consulting, the Emirates Foundation, DUGAS and Dubai Duty Free are supporters of the university through financial contributions or the provision of scholarships.
For further enquiries call BUiD on +971.4.391.3633.
