Hundreds of students gather for the in-person return of UOWD’s graduation ceremony

Monday, 01 August, 2022

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) witnessed the in-person return of its annual graduation ceremony for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to celebrate the achievements and milestones from our bachelors and masters students.

Taking place at the Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre in Garhoud, Dubai, the graduation ceremony was split into three sets commemorating the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 across the Faculty of Business, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Health.

The event was opened with a welcome speech from UOWD President, Professor Mohamed Salem, who expressed his congratulations to all the graduates and wished them success towards their future career path. The ceremony also welcomed high-profile speakers across the ceremony including:

1. Mr Fuad Mansoor Sharaf, Managing Director of the UAE Shopping Malls, Majid Al Futtaim – Guest Speaker for the undergraduate’s ceremony
2. Her Excellency Dr. Aisha Bint Buti Bin Bishr, Vice Chairman of Emaar Development Board and member of UOWD Board - Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker for Postgraduate Business
3. His Excellency Ian Halliday, Consul General Dubai and General Manager Middle East Africa - Australian Consulate-General Dubai, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (AUSTRADE) – Guest of Honor for postgraduate for Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences and School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Health.
4. Mr Shayne Nelson, Group CEO Emirates NBD - Guest Speaker for postgraduate ceremony and for Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences and School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Health)

As well as celebrating graduates across faculties, the event also marked the achievements of the university’s Top Graduates who achieved the highest grades and produced work to an excellent standard, impressing our professors and academics throughout the duration of their programs.

With a packed-out room of more than 700 graduates over three ceremonies, the graduation ceremony was a remarkable success that was filled with exhilaration from family and friends supporting graduates from across the globe and offered a sense of normality following several challenging years.

We look forward to hosting further events in the future to celebrate Australian education in the UAE.