Monday, 07 December, 2009

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) announced plans to offer doctoral programs in 2010. Professor Gerard Sutton, Vice-Chancellor, University of Wollongong, Australia, referred to UOWDs plans in his opening address at the Winter Graduation Ceremony in Dubai today. "As the Chair of UOWDs Board of Trustees, I am proud to announce that the University will capitalise on its existing research strengths by offering Doctoral degree programs in a number of areas. The Doctor of Business Administration will focus on research projects that will develop solutions to some of todays challenges in all areas of business. UOWD also plans to offer a Doctor of Philosophy degree which will enable students to work with experienced academics to extend the current boundaries of theory and knowledge in a number of fields. "The Universitys doctoral degree proposals are currently under consideration by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and it is anticipated that the first students will be able to enroll in 2010, said Prof. Gerard Sutton. Speaking on UOWD's contribution to the education sector, Prof. Gerard Sutton said: "Five days ago, the UAE celebrated its 38th anniversary as an independent country. For almost half that time, UOWD has been offering a quality Australian-based education in the UAE, and has produced over 4,000 graduates. After this ceremony, that number will reach almost 4,500. This is a significant milestone for any university in the UAE. Professor Sutton said: "When UOWD was established 16 years ago, we were convinced of the prosperous future of the UAE in general, and of Dubai in particular. Today, this belief is even stronger and UOWD is proud to be committed to the national goals of the UAE. We look forward to supporting the impressive development of the UAE and Dubai by playing a leading role in the development of its human capital. 396 graduates received their degrees at the Winter Graduation Ceremony, the second ceremony in 2009, held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, in the presence of Professor Gerard Sutton, Vice Chancellor, UOW Australia and Professor Rob Whelan, President, UOWD. Over 22 % of the graduates were Emirati nationals, an indication of the growing preference among locals to pursue higher education in UAE-based foreign universities that are nationally accredited. Mohamed Hussain Bahatem, a graduate from the Master of Engineering Management stole the limelight at the Ceremony by winning the Dubal Top UAE National Graduate Award and the Top Graduate Award in the Faculty of Engineering & Computer Science. Bahatem, who works as a Health, Safety & Environment Advisor at ADMA-OPCO, a division of ADNOC, said: "This is a great honour for me, especially since it comes during the 38th National Day celebrations. My achievement demonstrates that Emiratis are capable of great things if they apply their minds to it. For the past three years, I have been studying on weekends and holidays to achieve my goals. UOWD provided the right atmosphere that enabled me to prove myself with the help of some very competent lecturers. Finally, I would not have achieved this if not for the grace of the Almighty and the support of my family. James Wyndham, Director of Trade and Investment in the UAE for the Government of New South Wales, Australia, and former Australian Trade Commissioner and Deputy Consul General in Dubai, delivered the Graduation Address. He congratulated the graduates on their achievement saying: "During your studies you have no doubt built numerous lifelong colleagues and I urge you to maintain those networks as they are a superb networking platform for your future career. Bushra Shehzad, top graduating student in the Bachelor of Business Administration proposed the Vote of Thanks on behalf of the graduating students by saying: "We would like to thank UOWD for providing us a spirited, competitive, challenging and multi cultural environment in which to grow and learn. The Ceremony concluded with a reception hosted by the University of Wollongong in Dubai. UOWD Winter Graduation Ceremony 2009Key HighlightsVice-Chancellor announces plans to offer doctoral programs at UOWD commencing 2010;396 graduates in total, 22% Emirati nationals;Iranian twins brother and sister Mahdi Rezaie Tehrani and Mahdieh Rezaie Tehrani graduated from the Bachelor of Business Administration program;Four staff members of UOWD were among the graduates. They were Rumana Rahim (MITM), Claro Luis Piczon (MBA) and Said Muhammad Salim Al Abdul Salam (MQM), all from ITTS and Nassim Kodadadadi Gheshlaghchayi (MSHRM)from HR.Top GraduatesFaculty of Business and ManagementBachelor of Business Administration: Bushra Shehzad Bachelor of Commerce (Management): Arineh Armenak Pour Master of Business Administration: Christin Solomon Santhosam Master of International Business: Hamna Anwar Master of Quality Management: Aminu Hussen Said Master of Strategic Human Resource Management: Sameera Mohammad Shabbir Master of Strategic Marketing: Mina Nagy Takla Master of Science (Logistics): Amit Chander Bhatia Faculty of Computer Science and EngineeringBachelor of Internet Science and Technology: Muhammad Usman Hafiz Master of Information Technology Management: Rumana Rahim Master of Engineering Management: Mohammed Hussain Bahatem Faculty of Finance and AccountingBachelor Commerce (Accounting): Ambreen Javed Master of Applied Finance and Banking: Mariam Jaballah Top UAE National Graduate:Mohammed Hussain BahatemFaculty Awards Teaching Excellence Award: Dr. Payyazhi Jayashree, Dr. Melodena Balakrishnan Highly Recommended: Dr. Gwendolyn Rodrigues, Dr. Swapna Koshy, Dr. Abdellatif Tchantchane Research Excellence Award: Dr. Peter Hosie, Dr. Mohamed Watfa Highly Recommended: Dr. Farhad Oroumchian, Dr. Jawahitha Sarabdeen Vice Chancellors Speech Vote of Thanks Photo gallery