The UK Higher Education Leadership Foundation’s top Management Programme is the source of 80% of British Vice-Chancellors who were appointed last year. The programme was established to enable senior academics and administrators to run Universities more effectively. The programme contains a module on International strategies which until this year took place in Brussels. In response to growing interest in the UK about changes in Dubai, the Foundation switched the venue of this module for the first time this year.
David Lock, Registrar and former Chief Executive of the British University in Dubai, who is himself a graduate of the Top Management Programme, was asked to put together a programme for the future leaders in Dubai. The programme included presentations at Zayed University and Wollongong in addition to the opening event at BUiD and a formal luncheon and address at the British Embassy.
The British Council Regional Director Rob Lynes spoke of the growing interest in British Higher Education being experienced in the Middle East and in Dubai in particular. The group was given case studies of BUiD, Middlesex and Herriot-Watt Universities and examined in detailed the distinctive features of each Higher Education provider. To compare and contrast, presentations were given about Wollongong and Zayed University.
To put the universities in the context of Dubai’s successful economic growth Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Head of Academic City, and Clive Reed, Senior Vice-President for Training at Emirates Airline, made presentations to the group.
In describing the group’s reaction to Dubai, David Lock said “They were gobsmacked by what they described as the stunning economic development taking place in Dubai and the highly focused and high quality contribution that Universities were making to that growth through the high level training of the future leaders of organisations in Dubai and the development of a research capability. The group was greatly impressed by the confidence that Dubai had in itself and its courage in the future.
“Hosting the programme in Dubai was a coup for the Emirate and would serve to develop further the growing relationship between UK Higher Education and Dubai as more of the UK’s Education leaders became aware of Dubai’s significance,” he added.
The success of the programme has resulted in Dubai being asked to host future international modules on the programme.
“The development of Higher Education represents an investment in the future of a country and its developing relations with other countries. The UAE is the ninth largest trading partner of the United Kingdom and with more people in the UK becoming aware of the benefits of operating in UAE the Education opportunities for the population are set to grow. The success of Institutions such as Wollongong and Zayed can be an inspiration for collaborations to further enrich the Education and research partnerships in Dubai,” said David Lock.
The UK Leadership Foundation for Higher Education provides a dedicated service offering support and advice on leadership, governance and management for all the UK’s Universities and Higher Education colleges. It is committed to developing and improving the management and leadership skills of existing and future leaders of Higher Education.
The group which visited Dubai was the 12th cohort of the nationally successful Top Management Programme which was launched to improve the quality of leadership and Management in British Higher Education Institutions.
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.
