University of Wollongong in Dubai achieves CIPD Accreditation

Wednesday, 29 January, 2020

• First, and only university in the UAE with two CIPD-accredited degrees
• Bachelor and Master programmes in HR management enable continuous skills development, career progression 

University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), the first international university and the highest-ranked Australian university in the UAE, has received accreditation for its Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management and Master of Business in Human Resource Management from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR and people development. The accreditation adds value to the learning experience of the students pursuing this programme.

CIPD, a not-for-profit organisation headquartered in the UK, champions better work and working lives, and has continued to establish the benchmark for excellence in people and organisational development for more than 100 years. The institute represents the voice of a worldwide community of more than 150,000 members, 4,500 of whom are based in the Middle East. Being an approved CIPD centre testifies to UOWD’s compliance with the highest standards of excellence in the field of human resources, and gives students of the two programmes a considerable edge in the market. 

Current and future students of both programmes will automatically become professional Associate Members of the CIPD upon graduation. Those who completed the Masters programme will also have the option to upgrade their membership to a Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow status. Successful completion of the Masters of Business in Human Resource Management is the equivalent of passing a CIPD Level 7 (Advanced) qualification in Human Resources, while achieving the Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management is equivalent to passing a CIPD Level 5 (Intermediate) qualification in Human Resources.  

CIPD members profit from a wide range of benefits that include access to industry resources, such as research by HR and learning and development experts, invitations to networking events such as the CIPD Middle East People Conference & Awards. Students and professionals can also maintain their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through access to CIPD training that supports ongoing career growth. These benefits are exclusively available to CIPD members and students of approved centres, such as UOWD. 

Speaking on the new status, Professor Mohammed Salem, President of UOWD, said: “Accreditation is a rigorous process, but one that we welcome as a continuous improvement mechanism. Achieving the status of an Approved Centre for both the undergraduate and post-graduate program is a testament to our commitment to equipping future leaders with the necessary knowledge, skills and capabilities to excel in the workplace. A degree from a reputable Australian university, combined with a CIPD membership, will enhance the employability of our students and help their career progression. Successful graduates of the programme will be a valuable addition to their future organisations.”

He added: “We remain steadfast in our dedication to boosting the agility and strength of organisations through nurturing professionals that have the ability to raise the profile of the university, their future workplaces as well as of the nation.” 

The Master of Business in Human Resource Management programme targets aspiring professionals keen to enhance their understanding of the key concepts of strategic human resource management through analysing and solving organisational problems, as well as creating strategic alignment between human capital and organisational goals. The course prepares students to examine structures, systems, culture and leadership, implement organisational change and leverage competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

Students of the Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resource Management are trained to understand the environment and processes of recruitment and selection, application of concepts and techniques to promote change, manage and develop people, and the administration of appropriate occupational health and safety practices in organisations. The program will also provide recipients with critical perspectives on the role and functions of HR professionals.

Ramy Bayyour, Regional Director of CIPD in the Middle East, said: “The world of work is fast-moving, and having the right skillset and a professionally accredited degree is becoming increasingly important to ensure long-term employability and to stand out in a highly competitive workplace. At the CIPD, we are proud to play a key part in shaping the next generations of talent within the people profession, through partnerships with reputable academic institutions such as UOWD.”

Students looking to work in Australia also stand to benefit from the professional membership agreement between CIPD and the Australian Human Resource Institute (AHRI), allowing graduates to gain accreditation from both institutions.  

For further information, please visit the following links: Master of Business in Human Resource Management  and Bachelor of Commerce Human Resource Management or contact UOWD’s admissions office at [email protected] or 800-UOWD.