The British University in Dubai (BUiD) has inducted over 60 new postgraduate students in its February 2007 intake, beating previous records and demonstrating the strength of demand for higher education in the UAE.
In particular, the University has inducted the highest-ever number of UAE nationals in a single intake this year, reflecting BUiD’s ongoing contribution to Emiratisation and providing increased educational opportunities.
Since its launch in 2003, the University’s academic population has grown steadily, as more UAE-based graduates look to develop their careers and knowledge by pursuing higher education
However, the 2007 spike – which builds upon the high numbers welcomed in September 2006 – has pushed the university to a new level, according to senior executives.
Dr. Abdullah M. Alshamsi, Vice-Chancellor, The British University in Dubai, outlined a number of reasons why demand was reaching such high levels: “BUiD was the first and is still the only research-based, postgraduate university in the Middle East and there has always been strong interest in the benefits that our courses can provide.”
“However, we are now at the stage where there is both a critical mass of potential graduate students eager to join the university and a wide range of courses capable of satisfying both their intellectual curiosity and their career ambitions,” he added.
BUiD’s initiative to offer Project Management modules in Abu Dhabi has enabled more students to pursue higher education.
More than 15 new Abu Dhabi-based students have joined BUiD as part of the February intake. Taking the strong demand for the option of modules in the capital city in account, BUiD is now considering applying the scheme beyond the Project Management programme.
Additionally, new scholarships – particularly the batch of scholarships made available by the Emirates Foundation in January 2007 – has also made access to education easier across the UAE.
Other popular Masters programmes include education, engineering, project management, finance and banking, and information technology.
“One of the targets set by our chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, is that we should maximise educational opportunities as far as we can for willing, qualified graduates. The steps taken by the University – and the active engagement of our founders and supporters – have enabled us to make another strong step towards this goal,” concluded Alshamsi.
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 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.
