Fourteen auditors from three major government departments of Dubai, who enrolled in the Certificate in Forensic Accounting (CFA) program at UOWD, have returned after spending a two-week intensive, residential component of the program at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Welcoming them back, Professor Rob Whelan, President of UOWD said, “Being the first group of students in this new program is both exciting and challenging. I look forward to receiving feedback so that we may improve our practices and procedures for future cohorts.”
The participants provided invaluable comments, particularly on how the Certificate program could articulate into a Masters program to be offered at UOWD or at UOWA. They also praised the warm and welcoming nature of UOW Australia staff, their experience in Australia, the opportunity to network with more than 40 colleagues from several countries and interact with counterparts from the Australian Federal Police and the NSW (New South Wales) State Police.
After five more weeks of study at UOWD, the participants will complete their Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting on 2nd July.
The CFA program is being conducted in Dubai and Australia, following a Memorandum of Understanding between the Financial Audit Department (FAD), Government of Dubai, and UOWD.
The participants came from the Financial Audit Department, Dubai Police and Dubai Courts. They studied the first two subjects -- Introduction to Forensic Accounting and Forensic & Litigation Framework -- in Dubai at UOWD, and then proceeded to University of Wollongong, Australia, (UOW), for the other two subjects – Fraud & Failure and Investigative Processes.
After completing the four subjects, the participating students have an option to complete a Master of Forensic Accounting by continuing their studies in UOW Australia.
The program teaches skills in identifying indicators of fraudulent financial statements and fraud activities and undertaking forensic analysis and assessment of risk factors and predict/anticipate fraud. The focus is on learning investigative techniques and collection of data, as well as identifying poor management and unethical and fraudulent activities.
About the University of Wollongong in Dubai
Established in 1993, UOWD was the first Australian university in Dubai to be licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research. Located at Dubai Knowledge Village, it boasts 3,500 students from 108 different nationalities. It is part of one of Australia’s best performing research institutions, the University of Wollongong, Australia.
