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3rd Edition of Autodesk University Extension Dubai Announced

Middle East’s premier event for design and engineering professionals to learn new technologies, connect with industry peers and enhance industry skills
UAE, November 27th, 2014 – Omnix  International, the leading distributor of Autodesk design software in the UAE, announced that it is set to host the third edition of Autodesk University Extension (AUx) Dubai 2014, the Middle East region’s premier learning and networking event for design and engineering professionals. Promising professionals an experience to “Learn, Connect, Explore,” this full-day interactive conference and exhibition will be held on December 17, 2014 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and expects to attract over 600 design and engineering professionals from the entire GCC region.
AUx Dubai is part of ‘Autodesk University’, an annual series of Autodesk in-person and virtual user conferences that has already enjoyed two decades of success in the US. Brazil, Russia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Australia are some other regions that get to host an Autodesk University or an Autodesk University Extension annually. The event will feature futuristic 3D Design technologies, engaging training sessions and showcase of innovative projects and will also offer professionals the opportunity to network with international experts and peers from the industry.
This year, AUx Dubai will see participation from industry experts, thought leaders and innovators from the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC), Manufacturing and Media and Entertainment (M&E) industries from across the Middle East. In addition, AUx Dubai will also offer the opportunity for industry professionals to validate their skills by obtaining free Autodesk Certifications at the event on Autodesk’s range of 3D Design software like Autodesk® Revit® Architecture, Autodesk® AutoCAD Civil 3D®, AutoCAD®, Autodesk® 3ds Max®, Autodesk® Inventor® Professional. There will also be industry focused workshops on newer technologies, hands-on lad sessions and partner exhibits on the day of the event. 
From captivating AU Extension Dubai keynote speakers to knowledgeable class instructors, AU Extension Dubai conference feature speakers who are experts in their industries and include,
  • Jon Pittman, Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Autodesk, Inc.
  • Lynn Allen, Cadalyst Columnist and Autodesk Technical Evangelist, Autodesk
  • Robert Green, Owner, Robert Green Consulting
  • Gerry McFadden, BIM Manager, WSP Group
  • Alex Horst, Product Specialist, Autodesk
  • Tony Archibold, Design Director, Bluehaus Group
  • Dave Evans, Technical Specialist, Autodesk
  • Ayman Nicola, Technical Sales Lead Engineer, Autodesk
Participants will be able to choose from numerous industry sessions covering a wide range of interesting topics and subjects which include among others sessions on
  • Tips & Tricks in using the new AutoCAD® 2015 the latest version of the world’s top drafting and architectural software
  • Training session on Autodesk® BIM for infrastructure that would focus on how Autodesk BIM solutions help you plan, design, build and manage an infrastructure project from start to finish
  • Session on how to simplify your designs while gaining hands on experience with the Free Form Modeling resource in the Autodesk Inventor® software
  • Session on industry leading 3ds Max® 3D modeling software and how it helps accelerate performance, streamline workflows and help increase overall productivity
Registration for AUx Dubai 2014 is now open at:  AUx Dubai
Commenting on the 3rd edition of AUx Dubai, Louay Dahmash, Head of Autodesk Middle East, said, “Autodesk University extension offers design and engineering professionals from Middle East the unique opportunity to learn about latest industry developments, hone their skills on Autodesk’s industry leading 3D Design software and network with leading international experts. We are delighted to offer this unique platform to the region’s design ecosystem to ‘learn, connect and explore’ which would accelerate adoption of new technologies and improve user productivity as well.”
Dr. Jayant Deshpande, Director – CAE Division, Omnix International, said, “Omnix International is proud to host the third edition of Autodesk University Extension Dubai, which has become a ‘must-see, must attend’ event for the region’s design professionals. This event takes the focus on professionals who are serious about creating—how to come up with world-class, fully efficient and highly durable designs, drawings and the like that will be benchmarks for architecture, interior design and multimedia. The event proves to be very timely and strategic as the region is currently seeing a large influx of construction and development projects wherein companies are looking at Autodesk to gain competitive advantages and meet customer demands. To address this challenge, Autodesk University Extension acts as a cost-effective venue to receive advanced training, certification, learning about important trends in the industry and networking to meet potential clients and collaborators.


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HBMSU & Paris Dauphine University sign MoU to Cooperate in Islamic Finance Education and Training

  
UAE, November 10, 2014 – Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) and Paris Dauphine University (UPD), a renowned French public research and higher education institution, have entered into a landmark agreement to extend cooperation in Islamic Finance education and training. Both parties will work closely to design programs and initiatives in Islamic Finance tailored for the GCC and MENA regions. They will also jointly develop curricula that will give full credit for courses taken in either of the institutions.

Serine El Salhat, HBMSU’s International Cooperation & Corporate Communication, Assistant Chancellor, and Prof. Arnaud Raynouard, UPD’s Vice President for International Affairs, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a brief ceremony at the HBMSU campus.  The joint venture is timely given the growing global influence and popularity of Islamic finance. HBMSU and UPD provide excellent facilities for masters and research students to specialize in the field. Their world-class curricula and renowned faculty members help learners develop advanced and structured analytical and research skills to work in a wide range of Islamic Finance specialties.

 
Serine El Salhat, HBMSU’s International Cooperation & Corporate Communication, Assistant Chancellor, and Prof. Arnaud Raynouard, UPD’s Vice President for International Affairs, during the signing of the MoU.
The two institutions will also collaborate on other student and faculty exchange programs and jointly conduct faculty research. UPD’s Masters in Islamic Finance students will present papers before well-respected international academicians in HBMSU’s annual Innovation Arabia 8 conference, where UPD faculty and students can exchange ideas with their HBMSU counterparts and meet industry leaders and representatives. HBMSU learners, on the other hand, will join UPD students in their annual international trips. Since 2009, UPD has been offering the Masters in Islamic Finance degree locally and to other French-speaking nations. 


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Salford’s Postgraduate Push Helping Drive Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision

University of Salford is launching 30 postgraduate courses in its Abu Dhabi global hub which opened up in May
UAE, November 03, 2014 – The University of Salford’s Pro-Vice Chancellor (International Priorities), Professor Amanda Broderick, is launching a wide-ranging portfolio of postgraduate and career professional development (CPD) courses in Abu Dhabi on Sunday 2 November.

The programmes being launched are all in academic areas where the University has an internationally recognised reputation. The portfolio has been developed to support sectors identified as priorities for growth in Abu Dhabi’s Economic 2030 Vision.
The courses will include postgraduate level qualifications in Construction Management and Building Information Modelling (BIM), a module-level course in Diabetic Foot Healthcare and a Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health. These new programmes embrace the Middle East’s Smart City agenda and aim to improve diabetic care, whilst helping meet the growing demand for highly trained healthcare professionals in the region.
Major infrastructure and construction projects are a key part of the economic vision. But whilst the Emirati’s construction industry employs more than 500,000 people, 98% of that workforce are ‘non-citizens’. Therefore up-skilling the domestic and regional workforce is a top priority. The introduction of the University’s expertise in Construction and BIM and new postgraduate courses will contribute to reducing Abu Dhabi’s overreliance on migrant workers.
 Hisham Elkadi, Head of the School of Built Environment at the University of Salford, said: “The University is offering a new global-leading Building Information Modelling (BIM) programme designed to develop in-depth knowledge of BIM and lean processes.
The new programme offers research-based teaching combined with the opportunity to learn from the world’s leading industrial experts through a series of integrated guest lectures. If you want to increase your knowledge of efficient multidisciplinary collaboration through the design and construction process and the life cycle management of assets with the support of BIM, this course is for you.”
As well as infrastructure, healthcare is a major area of growth in the region. Diabetes, in particular, is a serious issue in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE. The University is already working closely with Mafraq Hospital. The relationship has led to a 38 per cent risk reduction in hospital mortality and major amputation rates for diabetic foot emergencies at the facility. The new Diabetic Foot Healthcare module will help continue that success and train home-grown medical professionals.
Mafraq’s former Consultant Vascular Surgeon, Professor Mo Baguneid said: “Complicated diabetic foot infections are common within the Middle East and in particular the outcome of late presentations is devastating. Much more needs to be done and continued collaboration with the University of Salford is important.”
Salford has developed the Postgraduate Certificate in Public Health for Abu Dhabi as the overall healthcare industry in the Emirati has grown considerably in past 20 years. The sector now employs more than 50,000 people and is the second largest employer of women. Plus, there are now 900 healthcare centres in Abu Dhabi, with health tourism also becoming a growth industry. The region will need a highly-skilled work force to maintain such growth and Salford’s postgraduate courses will help sustain the expansion.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (International Priorities), Professor Amanda Broderick said: “Helping Abu Dhabi and the wider region up-skill their workforce in these specialist areas is a fundamental part of the University of Salford’s international priorities strategy. Maintaining an international context to the University for our students is imperative as the ME regional and global employability markets continue to diversify and grow.
“Salford has an excellent reputation in delivering industry-relevant postgraduate and professional level qualifications. These courses will enhance the University’s history of working with educational partners and industry across the UAE and wider Middle-East. Postgraduate and professional education is a key driver in Abu Dhabi’s quest to become a successful knowledge-based economy and the University of Salford is immensely proud to be a part of that vision.”