SPECIAL REPORT | MAY 28, 2015
Dubai International Academic City& Dubai Knowledge Village
Driven by excellence
Dubai D b i is i seen as a lleading di education d ti h hub b iin th the region i
SPECIAL REPORT
MAY 28, 2015
EDITORIAL
Editor Rohit Saran Supplements Editor Suchitra Steven Samuel Sub-Editor Sadiq Shaban Reporting Farhana Chowdhury Suneeti Ahuja-Kohli
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04
Encouraging continuous innovation
Dubai International Academic City and Dubai KnowledgeVillage embrace the National Innovation Strategy to give rise to a modern learning experience By Latha Krishnan
I
t was in the last quarter of 2014 that his highness shaikh Mohammed bin rashid al Maktoum,Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UaE and ruler of Dubai,announced the launch of the national innovation strategy, which seeks to establish the UaE as one of the most innovative nations in the world within the next seven years. Complementing the UaE-wide strategy,the Dubai innovation strategy involves 20 initiatives, which will be rolled out over the next three years in an effort to make Dubai the world’s most innovative city. and for this to happen, it is imperative to have dialogue and synergy between the public and private sectors,educational organisations and the government,and everyone who believes they can support the newly accelerated innovation drive. in response to the government’s call for innovation,it has now become a keyword and policy in most industries, and more so in the education industry, which provides the basis for the future of the country by providing skilled and knowledgeable graduates as workforce. Dubai international academic City (DiaC) and Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) have embraced the national innovation strategy to establish several initiatives to promote innovation among their partners. Both DiaC and DKV have launched the industry and University Partner-
KhaLEEJ tiMEs sPECiaL rEPOrt
Dr Ayoub Kazim
Managing Director, Dubai international academic City and Dubai Knowledge Village
ships Forum (i-UP) to encourage continuous innovation to better cater to industry requirements and sustain the economy.the forum is a platform for universities to interact with industry professionals, and introduce new educational programmes that plug the skill gaps identified across a number of key industries. Drayoub Kazim,Managing Director, remarks: “By providing training and knowledge development that is innovative and relevant for the future growth of the country and this region, we are playing our part in the UaE Leadership’s vision of creating an innovationled economy that will safeguard sustainable GDP growth. Education is a key component for our leadership’s innovation agenda, but it needs to be driven on a sector-wide scale.”
the strategy is quickly proving to be the right one with the Global Competitiveness index (GCi) report by theWorld Economic Forum (WEF) placing the UaE sixth in terms of ‘Quality higher Education andtraining’, ahead of traditional economic hubs such as the UK, Us and australia.the report also highlights how in today’s increasingly global economy,nurturing a pool of well-educated workers who are able to perform complex tasks and adapt rapidly to their changing environment is vital for overall country-level competitiveness. the UaE has taken steps to encourage and foster innovation. On cue,tECOM investments is investing Dh4.5 billion into innovation-driven activities as part of its own strategy to stimulate creativity, develop new technologies, create smart and sustainable infrastructure, and drive entrepreneurship. DiaC and DKV suppor t several events and programmes to benefit all its partners, who then happily become part of the innovation strategy. some of these programmes include the i-UP Forum, DiaC Education Forum,DKV Breakfast Club and DKV training Open Week, DiaC Career Fair, DiaC Open Day, Week of Welcome and the DiaC sports Cup, as well as participation in exhibitions such as Gulf Education and training Exhibition (GEtEX). all of these are aimed at“continuously supporting the development of the UaE economy and contributing to Dubai’s sustainability,” Dr Kazim explains.
DIAC TEAm vIsITs ChInA For InTErnATIonAl EDUCATIon FAIr
Industry and University Partnership Forum (I-UP) The I-UP Forum launched in 2014 by DKV and DIAC is the first-of-its-kind in the region that features a series of workshops, which include representatives from academic institutions in Dubai as well as leaders from industry sectors, including hospitality and tourism,Islamic finance, education,transport and logistics,ICT, healthcare, energy and construction, and real estate.The forum is part of a
sustained campaign pioneered by DIAC to bring industry,academia,and government together to build a workforce capable of supporting the large variety of booming sectors in the UAE. It acts as an important and logical step in connecting the relevant parties to help meet future workforce demands of the region. “The I-UP Forum demonstrates our commitment to the growth of the economy by helping to develop purpose-built educational products and programmes that will establish a skilled workforce capable of supporting the significant growth expected through events such as Expo 2020 and Dubai’s ambitions to become the centre of the Islamic Economy,” says Dr Kazim. At the inaugural I-UP event in December,working professionals and academics came together with logistics professionals in DKV to
Officials from DIAC recently participated in a student recruitment fair as the only representative of the UAE and MENA region at the China International Education Exhibition Tour 2015 (CIEET). The DIAC team created awareness of higher education opportunities in Dubai for Chinese students, and participated alongside exhibitors from other countries such as the UK, US, Australia, France, Canada, Malaysia,Turkey and Thailand. It was estimated that more than 450,000 students pursued their studies overseas in 2013 alone, which makes China one of the key markets for the education industry. As an annual education event hosted since 1999, CIEET is a platform to publicise government policies and provide the latest information about studying abroad while offering a full range of promotion services to participating institutions. The DIAC team worked on rectifying a common misperception among Chinese students that the spoken and teaching language in Dubai is Arabic.With English as a teaching medium and average cost of living, it is an ideal cost-effective option for students to study in Dubai, instead of the UK or US.The delegation also noted that the Chinese students were particularly interested in the potential job opportunities in Dubai due to the latest Expo 2020 win. discuss transport infrastructure in Dubai. A panel of experts from universities, industry, government departments and education consultants discussed topics including Dubai’s infrastructure legacy after Expo 2020 and its challenges.
Hands-on, industry-relevant courses Manipal University Dubai has collaborations with over 30 international universities and ensures that students get international exposure through its programmes Manipal Global Education has had a presence in the Middle East since 2000 through Manipal University, Dubai (www.manipaldubai.com), the only branch campus of the worldreputed Manipal University, India. The aim of the University Campus in Dubai was to bring to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region the expertise and the availability of the rigorous Indian curriculum. Over time, Manipal University Dubai has grown into a leading multidisciplinary university in the Middle East attracting students not only from the UAE, but from across the MENA region. At present, the university enrols over 1,800 students from 35 nations across the globe and is the 06
only truly multi-disciplinary Indian university in the region. Manipal University is ranked as India’s Best Private University as per the QS University, Asia Rankings of 2014.It also ranks amongst theTop 100 BRICS Universities across the world. Similar to its mother campus in India, the Dubai campus offers students a variety of disciplines to pursue their Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes,ranging from laboratory and workshop intensive courses like Engineering, Information Technology and Biotechnology to creative and new-age disciplines like Architecture and Interior Design, and Media and Communication. The university also offers a highly hands-on and reputed,industry-
KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT
relevant programme in Management at the Bachelors’ and Masters’ levels. For outstationed students, the university has contracted well furnished rooms and provides food, transportation and a well-organised secure environment. By March 2016, the university has planned to have in-campus hostels, which would be set to world standards for secure and comfortable stay. The campus is housed in a 750,000-square-foot built-up environment with classes and labs, and additionally has facilities for outdoor athletics tracks, tennis courts and indoor facilities for activity rooms, separate for boys and girls. Manipal University Dubai has collaborations with over 30 international universities and ensures that students get international exposure through programmes like MBA (GLOBAL BUSINESS) and BSc (Applied Sciences).
DIAC Education Forum DIAC hosts the annual Education Forum where key education professionals from government, academic institutions and industry gather to discuss issues to further The degrees issued are from Manipal University India, and are recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in India and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai. The university ensures 100 per cent internships to students during their study period for the mandatory internship period. It has a dedicated Placement and Industry Connect Cell, which also helps in getting every desirous student at least two to three opportunities to appear for job placement interviews. It has a track record of 95 per cent plus placements, with over 70-plus companies visiting the campus every year. Manipal University Dubai encourages Merit Scholarships that are available at the entry level and during the tenure of the student’s programme. The university is strongly committed to the vision of the Dubai Government to make Dubai an international education hub,and continues to focus on getting more and more enriched education opportunities for prospective students.
develop the education and training industry. In its sixth edition held last year, the forum discussed the emerging international student recruitment trends in the region based on the Workforce Planning Study that was commissioned by DIAC and conducted by Deloitte.This study pegged the UAE as the fourth most attractive education destination in the world, and the most attractive education destination among emerging market economies — beating the likes of China, Singapore and Australia. The panel discussion at the DIAC
Education Forum covered the factors that influence students’ decision regarding higher education, the key to a successful student recruitment
DKV Breakfast Club DKV Breakfast Club is an exclusive networking event that brings together industry professionals and decision makers based in DKV to meet, exchange ideas and share knowledge. The gathering, held twice per year, drives discussions of current, critical and challenging issues in an attempt to support the development of their respective fields. Every event has a specific theme where speakers present topics and share their knowledge and experience in developmental issues, strategy plans, expected and measured outcomes as well as the lessons learned from this experience. The topic in February this year saw experts discussing the barriers of an innovation-based economy following a study by Bayt.com, commissioned by DKV. The study, Education and Innovation in the Middle East and North Africa, concluded that 89 per cent of MENA professionals agree that creative thinking is key to driving social and economic growth in their country, although 73 per cent believe that creativity is currently being stifled by MENA’s education system. Dr Kazim commented, “The UAE’s top ranking within the Bayt.com study as the most creative country in MENA is testament to the success of the Government’s strategy to develop a knowledge-based economy. As we move towards an innovation-based economy, it is important that we identify the barriers to achieve further creativity, and form a strategy to overcome them as the Bayt.com study highlights. We see an important role for DKV and DIAC in this endeavour, primarily in bridging the gap between industry and academia by encouraging and enabling our universities and training institutes to teach and empower students to become more innovative, so as to better prepare them for the workforce.” strategy and comparative trends in student enrolment. Universities able to offer student placements alongside recognised high-quality teaching with
mainstream programmes stay ahead in student recruitment. Quality education, easy access to visas, close proximity to key international loca-
tions, cosmopolitan demographics and opportunities arising from the economic growth holds Dubai in a good stead.
DKV Training Open Week Complementing the DKV Breakfast Club is the DKVTraining OpenWeek, which is a three-day annual event that brings together training and HR companies within the DKV community and provides them with a platform to showcase their services to the region. A multitude of seminars and workshops from global training and HR consultancies are lined up in diverse segments such as HR, marketing,sales,project management, strategy, leadership and IT to provide an accurate representation of current trends in the industry.
DIAC Career Fair The annual DIAC Career Fair usually takes place in February-March every
DIAC Open DAy DIAC Open Day is yet another initiative of DIAC focused on supporting individuals through the life cycle of education.This sequence begins when prospective students assess their higher education opportunities and then make decisions such as which career path to follow, seek internship opportunities and finally become alumniseeking appropriate job placements. Aimed at providing a common platform for higher education service providers and for students and parents to interact and explore various career areas and higher education options, the DIAC Open Day is a highly anticipated event where the relevant skills of students are identified through interaction as well as understanding and guidance based on their talents, interests and skill sets. year and brings together students, graduates and leading recruiters from public and private sectors. Aimed at graduate and post-graduate students from various academic institutions in DIAC, the fair provides a forum for students to network with employers and discuss a wide variety of internship and full-time recruitment opportunities. The DIAC Career Fair has witnessed significant growth since it was launched in 2009. The latest edition welcomed 60 leading regional
and international organisations, including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), TECOM Investments, Bayt.com, Zurich Insurance Company and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.Attendees included undergraduate and postgraduate students studying a wide range of disciplines including finance, human resources, telecommunications, fashion, ar ts, biotechnolog y, engineering,audio and film production, hospitality, travel and tourism, mass media communication, logistics,
healthcare , and information technology. “Facilitating relationships between education and industry is a crucial part of our ongoing efforts to support our growing economy. At DIAC, we support students through all stages of the education life cycle — from recruitment, placement and study to job application and alumni. Our student hub department plays a key role in this process,offering internships and training opportunities throughout the year,” Dr Kazim notes.
DIAC Sports Cup The DIAC Sports Cup is the firstof-its-kind in the region, held annually, and is an inter-university tournament of sports including cricket, football, basketball and volleyball, with prizes awarded to winning athletes in each category. Initiated in 2011, the DIAC Sports Cup is designed to provide an extracurricular platform for students from across the emirates to meet and network with their peers in a constructive way. This tournamant encourages friendly-competition that inspires team work and collaboration, which are inarguably the cornerstones of a successful career.
Participation in GETEX and other exhibitions Events like Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX) and other such exhibitions provide wonderful opportunities to bring together institutions and students. Dr Kazim explains: “As the education sector’s largest student
WEEk of WElComE Twice during the academic year, DIAC hosts the Week of Welcome or WOW, to welcome and orient new intakes of students for that semester. Students, both new and old look, forward to the signature WOW event, which is specifically designed for them to gain in-depth understanding of campus life and culture, network with peers, meet faculty members and familiarise themselves with all of the services and facilities on the DIAC campus. “It is an opportunity for the student population to come together, mingle and network in a relaxed but informative environment. It is also a smart way for students in high school, and those starting to think about their options in higher education, to witness first-hand what a truly international college lifestyle is all about,” explains a member of Student Hub, the official representative of the DIAC student body. Student Hub organises a number of exciting activities and series of events during WOW, such as art and music sessions and performances, food sampling opportunities, gaming and fashion competitions, and sporting tournaments. recruitment event,GETEX is a critical platform for driving forward our country’s ambitions to create a truly innovation-based economy. Deciding
where to study and what course are the most important decisions our students will make as it sets them on a path towards their future. At Dubai
International Academic City, we are dedicated to attracting world-class educational institutions to provide the highest quality teaching to ensure students, both regional and international, are able to gain the skills they require to go on to have highly successful careers in their chosen field. By hosting all of these institutions in the same place,GETEX is the realisation of this ambition,and one we seek to continue to progress and fulfil.” Such exhibitions are part of the education life cycle offered at DIAC, which provides full support to students and partners while studying there — whether it is study, sport, or fun activities.Moreover,DIAC is constantly on the lookout to enhance experiences to higher levels. With 2015 having been declared in the UAE as the ‘Year of Innovation’, DIAC and DKV is indeed fully geared to take innovation to its best furtherance, thanks to its dedicated partners and their contemporary advanced programmes and courses that stimulate thought,study,research and execution.
Excellence in education
Manchester Business School launches an original research programme on creativity and innovation
Manchester Business School (MBS) is one of the UK’s largest campusbased business schools, driven by
research and with a global reputation. It was ranked 35th in the world by the 2015 Financial Times (FT) survey.The School is one of very few accredited by all three major bodies — AACSB International,AMBA and EQUIS.
Middle East Centre
The MBS Middle East Centre in Dubai Knowledge Village, UAE, opened in 2006 and today supports more than 1,800 part-time MBA students (and 95 nationalities) across the region. It is among the largest and fastest
growing centres in the MBS network, which includes Hong Kong,Miami,Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Manchester. The MBA students in the Middle East are experienced,highly-qualified working professionals following the Manchester Global MBA or the Global Executive MBA for senior executives. MBS is also working with organisations on tailored executive education and talent management. The centre works in close collaboration with professional
bodies and Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City. To mark Manchester Business School’s 50th anniversary in 2015 and to coincide with the UAE’s ‘Year of Innovation’, MBS has launched an original research programme on creativity and innovation in the cultural context of the GCC. For more information on MBS courses, visit
www.mbs-uae.ac.ae
In tune with a dynamic Doctoral qualification is work environment the new minimum level AUE offers all career-oriented courses of study in a flexible format TO InnOVATE is to forge new, productive pathways, rather than follow established routines or traditions that may no longer serve the intended purposes. The American University in the Emirates (AUE) exemplifies innovation by its guiding motivation and commitment to students, undergraduate and graduate programmes,schedules,curriculum,educational objectives, and community engagement initiatives. AUE is committed to preparing exemplary leaders, scholars and practitioners in a range of disciplines, while encouraging graduates, from home and abroad, to become creative, life-long learners in their chosen professions. Students are encouraged to take the pathway to success by inculcating the energising precept that nothing is impossible,so that whether you believe you can or cannot, you are right. At AUE, which offers an American curriculum with a focus on General Education in the lower division or the first two years,faculty members from many countries collectively value their hard-earned reputation for high quality in teaching and related research, while seeking to promote intercultural understanding and respect, not as an alternative to a sense of cultural identity, but as an essential component of the dynamic 21st century international, regional and national environment.The American University in the Emirates offers many unique programmes of study, such as Hospital and Healthcare Management, Insurance and Risk Management, Media Sales (Media Management),Digital Forensics,network Security,DigitalAnimation, Master's degrees in Sports Management and Sports Law,as well as Diplomacy, Security and Strategic Studies, as well as Library and Information Systems. AUE offers all career-oriented courses of study in a flexible format across weekdays, evenings, and weekends, so that students who have work and family commitments can find many opportunities to pursue programmes of study,to which blended learning will be added in the near future.Students can register for their programmes of study in a one-stop facility where all administrative requirements are promptly met. Students can register for accredited undergraduate, graduate and professional programmes that encourage them to become proactive, reflective and critical thinkers, and researchers, within a fully engaged community. In this way, the university helps to create a better world through education.This motivation informs the daily collaboration of its faculty, staff and students in teaching, learning and working to serve the needs of external community members in areas such as training, consultancy and continuing education. 10
KHALEEJ TIMES SPECIAL REPORT
BUiD offers programmes in higher education across multiple fields AT THE British University in Dubai (BUiD), students registered for PhD in Project Management are currently studying a wide variety of topics and issues relevant to the needs of the UAE and the development of the project management discipline. One group focuses on applications of project management to advance corporate social responsibility and sustainability, while another concentrates on new models and tools for project portfolio management, risk management, project management office, strategic project management, organisational change,knowledge and talent management, vendor selection and lean management. Another large group of PhD in Project Management students are specialising in areas related to construction project management,scheduling resources,managing subcontractors, managing large infrastructure projects and private-public sector partnerships. Other areas of work and industry addressed in the students’ PhD thesis research include project management and project leadership in federal organisations, education institutions, public sector organisations, mega events management, en-
Prof Ashly Pinnington Dean, Faculty of Business
vironment, energy, water, oil and gas, banking, aerospace, airlines scheduling systems, crisis management, robotics, big data, quality management, innovation,business incubation,community engagement marketing, and smart cities development. In the field of computer science, PhD students are engaged in investigating issues of data security,network detection, IT systems and disaster recovery, intelligent transportation systems, decision support systems in government organisations, Arabic language translation, digital forensics, data consistency and data recovery, and smart devices for human thought and communication. In its Architecture and Sustainable Built Environment programme, students are researching a range of topics including energy use,passive cooling systems for buildings, sustainable urban planning, mitigating indoor air pollution, green spaces and green building.
Innovative research and professional practice Student achievement is high on Middlesex University Dubai's agenda Since January 2005, Middlesex University Dubai has been teaching awardwinning courses to local and international students in Dubai. More than 2,500 students from over 90 different nationalities currently study in the heart of Dubai’s dedicated education district, Dubai Knowledge Village. it offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes from education to psychology, film to human resources, law to journalism and a full business school portfolio.The university is committed to meet the needs and ambitions of a culturally and internationally diverse
Quality engineering education range of students through challenging academic programmes underpinned by innovative research,scholarship and professional practice. it prepares students to be professional, skilled individuals ready for the modern world, Middlesex University Dubai ensures its programmes are as flexible and accommodating as possible across its four campuses in London, Dubai, Mauritius and Malta.The added benefit for students in Dubai is their exposure to a rapidly developing, dynamic and cutting-edge business landscape, which competes with the world’s most significant cultural and economic hubs. Those joining Middlesex University Dubai in September 2015 may be eligible for a scholarship of upto Dh90,000 towards their studies. Also, students enrolling before June 14 will receive a Special Student Grant of Dh2,000 towards their tuition fees. For more information, visit: www.mdx.ac
Secure an internship with reputed companies at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus BiTS Pilani, Dubai campus, the only international campus of Birla institute ofTechnology and Science,Pilani in the UAe, was among the first academic institutions to set up a campus in Dubai KnowledgeVillage (DKV) when it was established in the year 2003. in 2007, BiTS Pilani shifted from DKV to its own sprawling campus in Dubai internationalAcademic city (DiAc),growing by leaps and bounds with immense support from DKV as well as KHDA and DiAc. BiTS Pilani, Dubai campus offers Be (Hons), Me, MBA and PhD in engineering and allied disciplines.At present, more than 1,700 students from over 20 countries are studying at the campus.The vibrant campus has state-of-the-art infrastructure, teaching and research facilities, and provides an opportunity to acquire best quality education in an interna-
tional environment from well-experienced, highly-qualified and dedicated faculty. The vibrant campus has smart classrooms and state-of-the-art teaching lab facilities with modern equipment.A recent significant addition is the multi-crore, state-ofthe-art high-definition CISCO video conferencing facility that connects conference rooms and 160 capacity lecture classrooms across its four campuses.The institute also collaborates with over 300 reputed companies across the UAe to offer internship to the students. Alumni from this campus have done exceptionally well in all spheres of life.They hold leading positions in diverse fields in the UAE and across the world, with more than 1,000 leading companies having recruited Dubai campus graduates. Graduates have been successful in securing admissions in more than 75 global prestigious universities for higher studies and doctoral programmes.Many alumni are also successful entrepreneurs.
Become a knowledgeable global citizen Dr Alesa Lightbourne,
Director of International Relations
S P Jain School of Global Management paves route to careers in economics and communications Many of the best careers in business start with a degree in economics and communications.Why? Because these two fields give you the practical skills required in diverse employment areas. If you enjoy analytical thinking, a bachelor’s degree in economics opens opportunities throughout the business world. You’ll learn to collect data, slide and dice it, and come up with useful information for making decisions.You could find yourself working in finance, or almost any type of corporation. Communications majors learn to send clear messages using written, verbal and non-verbal skills.You might work in public relations, advertising, marketing, or media,“selling” products, services or ideas. Virtually every organisation requires communication experts for everything from writing ads and sales literature to planning big c orporate events, assessing public opinion, or promoting a firm’s corporate programme. As you can see, economics and communications are among the most versatile of college majors, which explains its immense popularity. S P Jain School of Global Management adds another level of versatility — an international dimension. In its new threeyear fast-track Bachelor’s in Economics (BeC) and Bachelor’s in Business Communications (BBC) programmes, all students spend their first year in either Mumbai or Singapore, and their second and third years in Dubai. Graduates therefore become global citizens, knowledgeable in the business practices of several cultures — and then stand out for superior employment options.
If you enjoy analytical thinking, a bachelor’s degree in economics opens opportunities throughout the business world.