University of Dubai unveils two new degree programs at GETEX 2012

The University of Dubai (UD) unveiled its newly approved PhD and MSc programs this past weekend at the 24^th edition of the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX), which ran April 19-21 at the World Trade Centre. 

UD President Dr. Omar Hefni and UD’s College of Information Technology Dean Dr. Faouzi Kamoun were on hand at GETEX to speak about two new programs recently approved by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. 

Dr. Hefni said the PhD in Business Administration will be an important corner stone of UD’s business degree portfolio. Since the university was founded in 1997 by the Dubai Chamber, it has grown from offering a Bachelor degree in Business Administration to offering a Master degree in Business Administration, both of which have been fortified with the international accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business (AACSB). Now, with the addition of a PhD program to begin in the Fall of 2014, the university will be able to offer higher education business programs from start to finish. Dr. Hefni noted that having a PhD program is important because the number of higher education institutions has dramatically increased in recent decades and those institutions will need PhD-qualified scholars to teach. His hope is that the program will aid in retaining local talent to become professors at local universities. 

Dr. Kamoun discussed the Master of Science (MSc) degree program in Computing and Information Systems with a concentration in Information Systems Management. The MSc program will be offered in the Fall Semester, which begins in September of this year. The program concentrates on Information Systems Management and will be offered through UD’s College of Information Technology (CIT). 

Dr. Kamoun said the MSc program is unique to others offered in the region because, “The design of the program reflects opinions made by IT Directors interviewed from all around the region. The curriculum,” he said, “is based on market needs and emerging trends, covering the critical aspects of both information systems management and leadership.” 

Hundreds of prospective students visited UD’s booth during GETEX and those who applied during the event received a bonus 10% discount off their entire first year of tuition. 

“We are so grateful to have an event like GETEX where we can highlight our two new programs,” Dr. Hefni said. “Especially because we are very excited about these programs and the people who attend an event such as this often have an inherent respect for education – They know it is what will continue to steer the UAE in a positive direction.”