Saturday, 06 May, 2017

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) recently conferred degrees to 292 graduates from across all faculties during their 31st Graduation Ceremony. It also celebrated awarding its 3rd Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) degree to the first UOWD Emirati student. Held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, the ceremony was attended by special guest of honour, His Excellency, Gerard Seeber, Senior Trade Commissioner MENA, Australian Trade Commission and Consul General in Dubai who delivered the keynote speech, Ms Marisa Mastroianni, Group CEO and Managing Director, UOW Enterprises, Professor Charles Areni, Executive Dean, Faculty of Business, UOW (Australia), academic and professional staff, friend and family. In his opening speech, Professor Mohamed-Vall M.Salem Zein, President of UOWD said: “Today, we are very proud to gather here to witness outstanding graduates in various fields stepping with confidence into professional careers and ready to contribute to society”. “It’s great to see UOWD grow from strength to strength, especially in developing new course work, a new approach to the region, and most recently in announcing the building of an expanded campus in Dubai. The University makes an eminent mark internationally through the growth of its alumni network and academic credentials. I would like to congratulate the graduating class on their accomplishments, and also acknowledge the teaching staff who have contributed to the success of their students and the institution”, commented H.E Gerard Seeber Celebrating with the University were the friends and family of Khaled Ahmed Alawi Ali AlMansoori, who was the first Emirati student to be awarded the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree at UOWD as well as Suhair M.H. Hamouri from Jordania who was awarded the University’s second Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. Since the beginning of 2016, UOWD delivered two PhD and three DBA graduates with a few more students expected to complete their doctoral degrees by Autumn this year. “This is perhaps one of my biggest achievements of my life and I am very proud of it. Obtaining this degree will enable me to share my knowledge and skills which I have gained during my research with other professionals, especially those who had a keen interest to explore the e-Government dimesion””, commented Mr AlMansoori. Launched in 2015, the first cohort of students from the Master of Business with specialisations in Marketing and International Business respectively and the Master of Applied Finance program, also conferred their degrees during the ceremony. The University was very fortunate to confer degrees to four sets of siblings whom graduated from the Master of Science (Logistics), Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources, Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing as well as International Business and Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and Accounting. During the ceremony, Professor Salem also announced the University’s investment in a new purpose built campus which will be completed by Autumn 2019 as well as its plans to introduce even more undergraduate and postgraduate programs to fill the gap in the market demand. Amongst the University’s top achievers were Kiran Nihalani, Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management, and Tushar Hiro Rajani, Bachelor of Commerce in Accountancy with Master of International Studies graduate, Alia Ahmad Saif AlTheeb AlHemeiri named Top UAE National graduate. The Graduation Ceremony concluded with Dana Mohammad Hajjaj delivering the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the graduates followed by a reception for all graduates and their guests.