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DuPont Middle East Highlights Importance of Workplace Safety

DuPont Middle East highlights importance of workplace safety to students of Khalifa University of Science & Technology – Petroleum Institute
Initiative aims to strengthen awareness on safety procedures and use of personal protective gear
May 02, 2017 – DuPont Middle East recently held a seminar on workplace safety for students of Petroleum Institute at the Sas Al Nakhl area. The initiative has been designed to raise awareness among students who will soon be pursuing a career in key industries such as oil, gas, mechanical, chemical and petrochemical, where safety risks are higher than in other sectors. The Petroleum Institute is part of the newly-established Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
As part of the company’s community outreach program, DuPont aims to educate future engineers on the importance of safety regulations to ensure the wellbeing of the workforce while also reducing hazards and risks at the workplace. DuPont has expressed its commitment in raising awareness among university students on established safety procedures and the proper use of specialized protective gears or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Karim Dirani, Marketing Communications Specialist at DuPont Protection Solutions, discussed common issues in workplace safety and explained the importance of always wearing the right PPEs. The team also conducted a demonstration of Thermo-Man®, the world’s most advanced life-sized thermal burn injury evaluation system. Since the 1970s, the state-of-the-art device has been used worldwide to test the flame resistance of work clothing materials produced by companies across various industries, including oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, electricity, and fire-fighting services.
 
Dirani said: “Establishing a culture of safety and instilling the habit of protecting one’s self against known risks in the workplace takes a certain degree of awareness that should start even before students begin working as engineers and professionals. DuPont is fully committed to education as an important platform to build and hone the culture of safety and the university is the ideal setting for them to start understanding the value of workplace safety regulations. The seed of awareness has to start here and I fully appreciate the students of Petroleum Institute, for their high regard to this matter as they do with their future profession.”
 
Dr. Ali Al Mansoori, ‎ Executive Vice President for Academics at Khalifa University of Science and Technology, added: “We laud DuPont’s efforts to enlighten students on the various aspects of workplace safety and regulations – including the protective gears that can be used and how they are manufactured to protect them. This event definitely contributes to their knowledge and awareness of their future workplaces and what they must never forget as soon as they move on to their roles as professionals in their chosen field.”
 


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Emirates College for Management & Information to Discuss Importance of Education in UAE at Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016

To review education sector’s role in country’s efforts towards sustainable & comprehensive growth
UAE, November 30, 2016 –The Emirates College of Management & Information (ECMIT), a leading private higher educational institution based in Dubai, has confirmed its participation in the Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016, the annual event for education, scientific research and business, to be held under the theme ‘Investment in Science and Education: Investing in the Future’ on December 20, 2016 in Oxford, the UK. Prof. AbdulSattar A. Al-Alusi, President and CEO of the ECMIT will head the delegation representing the institution at the Summit.

Prof. AbdulSattar A. Al-Alusi, President and CEO of the ECMIT.

During the event, Prof. Al-Alusi will throw the spotlight on the most prominent features that have led to the growth and development in the UAE’s education sector. He will also review the role of the education sector in supporting the sustainable and comprehensive progress of the country, with a particular focus on the most important initiatives and achievements in its ambitious pursuit to be one of the leading regional and international educational centers. In addition, the ECMIT delegation will highlight the major investment and key features of the local educational infrastructure such as the development policies and innovative actions taken by the UAE in order to promote the domestic education sector.
Dr. Al-Alusi said: “The UAE has come a long way in the Higher Education and Scientific Research field in the light of the dynamic changes witnessed by this sector in the recent years to become a fundamental pillar of the national economy. The sector has further fueled the overall social and economic development to contribute in enhancing the country’s position as a leading global destination for science and education. The education sector has a special priority in the UAE as it is an integral part in the process of transition to an economy that is based on knowledge and innovation. Moreover, it is driven by a number of ambitious initiatives and policies that reflect the approach of excellence, leadership and innovation adopted by the country’s visionary leadership.”
Al-Alusi added: “Our participation in the Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 complements our relentless commitment to actively participate in international events and forums to share knowledge and the best international experiences and practices in the field of higher education. We look forward to our presence in this year’s edition of the flagship event, which provides a platform to highlight the UAE’s most prominent educational components and review its pivotal role in shaping the future of the education sector in the region and the world. The event will also discuss the features of the strategic plan adopted by the ECMIT, which is specially designed to suit the ambitious objectives of the UAE Vision 2021 aimed at making the country one of the world’s best at all levels”.
The Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 will witness the participation of a wide group of decision makers, education leaders, scientists, and representatives of academic institutions, universities and specialized companies from more than 50 countries around the world. Organized by the European Business Association in Oxford, the session will identify the most important issues and aspects in the areas of education and scientific research. The Oxford Summit of Leaders 2016 will discuss the latest developments and emerging trends on integrating education, business and science sectors, in addition to highlighting the best practices and cutting-edge tools in the field of learning management.


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Vocational education will help realise UAE Government’s industry sector goals

Mark Andrews, Head of Pearson Qualifications International (PQI) in the Middle East, believes that quality vocational education programmes will be instrumental in helping to achieve the vision of the newly launched Industrial Council.
Dubai, UAE, June 1st, 2016 – On the 17th April 2016, the Cabinet of the UAE, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, endorsed the launch of the Industrial Coordination Council.

The establishment of the Council forms part of the UAE Government’s 2021 vision to build a diversified, knowledge based economy. It is hoped that the new Council will drive the growth of the Emirates’ industrial sector, helping to increase the sector’s contribution to national GDP. The Council, to be led by the Minister of Economy, will drive unity and bring greater cooperation between the various legislatures in the UAE in regards to industrial development.
A globally competitive industrial sector is high on the agenda of the UAE Government, and having a unified vision and strategy to develop the sector will go a long way to meeting this goal. Equipping UAE workers with the skills and knowledge needed to drive industrial growth will be influential in building a robust, industry-based economy. This includes those workers already engaged in the workforce, as well as younger students currently enrolled in school or higher education.
There is little doubt that a growing and modernising industrial sector requires contributions from a diverse range of workers. Candidates with strong skills in the science, technological, engineering and mathematics fields will thrive in the future economy envisioned by the UAE’s leaders.
But strong industrial growth also depends heavily on having enough vocationally qualified candidates to fill new and existing roles. Industry-reliant jobs are now more technical and highly skilled then in the past, and often require specific and intensive training.
Mark Andrews, Head of Pearson Qualifications International in the Middle East says:  “With industry burgeoning in the UAE, employers often find it difficult to attract candidates with the level of vocational qualifications necessary to perform in a number of roles. Young people in the UAE, like in many other countries throughout the region and around the world, are entering university at unprecedented rates. And yet despite the high level of education achieved by university graduates, many of them find it difficult to secure meaningful work on completion of their degree.
“Encouraging more of our young people into vocational education will therefore alleviate two of the main challenges created by a rapidly expanding industrial sector. Firstly, it will help to create enough candidates with the skills and knowledge demanded by industrial sector employers, and secondly, it will help to reduce youth unemployment figures created, in part, by an over-supply of university graduates. In other words, it will help to overcome the colloquially termed ‘skills gap”’.
The announcement earlier this year from the UAE’s National Qualifications Authority (NQA) and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) that some international qualifications will be recognised throughout the UAE is a step towards meeting employee demand for vocationally trained workers. Many qualifications, which have long been recognised by awarding agencies around the world, will now also be officially recognised by the UAE government, making it easier for employees to identify candidates with high quality vocational qualifications. This means for example, that a student completing a BTEC Higher National Diploma at Emirates Aviation University will now have his or her qualification officially recognised by employers, government agencies and institutions throughout the UAE.
Mark Andrews believes that there are other steps that can be taken to boost the number of high quality vocational candidates entering the workforce. He says:  “Increasing dialogue between industry and education will also help to create a workforce ready to contribute to a dynamic, 21st Century industrial sector. Understanding what organisations are looking for in terms of skills and talent, and mapping education and qualifications against these needs is key. Making work-based training a significant component of vocational qualifications also helps to create candidates that can quickly perform in a work environment. Having apprenticeship-style programmes widely available helps to produce a valuable pipeline of highly capable workforce entrants.
“But building workforce capacity in the industrial sector is not just about ensuring that quality vocational programmes are widely available. Young people – through educators, parents and other advisors – need to be made aware of the potential benefits a quality vocational education can bring. Often vocational education is still seen as a lesser choice to a more academic or university based education. Young people deciding on which education route to take need to be informed about the rewarding and often well renumerated career paths that a vocational education can lead to. Encouraging many of our best and brightest to follow a vocational path, will be fundamental to the UAE’s industrial sector meeting its potential”.
ENDS
About Pearson:
It is no secret that a good education has the power to change a life. What is new is the demand for that change.
Governments are investing more than ever before on educating their citizens, eager for them to compete in the global workforce. A growing global middle class is spending more of its own money on educating their families. Employers are looking for a new sort of colleague – someone with the skills to flourish in the 21st century. Combined with technologies that continue to develop at breakneck speed, the result is a world that has the want, and the means, to learn at scale.
Yet there is so much to be done. One in five adults lack the written communication skills they need to progress in life, and 57 million children do not know what it’s like to step inside a classroom. Many millions more are in education, but not learning effectively.
The global challenge for education is not just about providing access, but also progress and success.
As the world’s leading learning company, we can help make a difference. But we also know that the challenges are too immense to tackle alone. So we’re fostering a global community of teachers, parents, students, governments, institutions and businesses, who can help us find the answers and deploy the solutions.
Together we aim to achieve our Efficacy Growth & Impact Goals, empowering the lives of 200 million learners by 2025 in critical ways including:
–           Access to high quality primary, secondary & postsecondary education.
–           Success in education through enhanced literacy, numeracy, knowledge & skills.
–           Progress as a result of education into a first career or advancement in career.
Meeting the global demand for education will make us a more profitable company, profits which we invest back into improving education for everyone – to ensure that the ultimate prize is a better world for us all to live in.


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His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives prestigious Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Salford, UAE

United Arab Emirates, 27 October 2015 – His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives prestigious Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Salford, UAE
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives prestigious Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Salford, UAE”
The University of Salford, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is delighted to announce that His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been presented with a prestigious Alumni Achievement Award.

In receiving the award, His Highness joins an elite rank of graduates who have achieved particular distinction in their chosen field. His Highness graduated from the University of Salford with a Masters in Political Science in 1989.
The Alumni Achievement Award is awarded to distinguished individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their community and country in areas such as arts, society, business and humanitarian. His Highness was chosen for the award in recognition of his services to the development of the UAE as trusted adviser to the leadership of his father, His Highness Sheikh Kalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
In addition, His Highness has an impressive education record, holding two doctoral qualifications alongside a distinguished military career that has seen him reach, thus far, the senior rank of Staff Brigadier.
Commenting on the award, University of Salford Vice Chancellor, Professor Helen Marshall, said: “On behalf of the University of Salford we are honoured that His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has accepted our Alumni Achievement Award.  We are immensely proud to have such a distinguished individual as one of our former students.”
Graeme Mullin, Director of Partnerships in the Middle East, at the University, added: “At the University of Salford we are justly proud of the many great achievements of our diverse and vibrant global alumni community.
“We are truly honoured to have His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as one of our alumni, and we can think of no one more deserving for this esteemed award. He continues to make a significant contribution to the country’s admirable vision of building an open, efficient, and internationally renowned society.”
This award also recognises the efforts and contributions of the Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation. Many of His Highness’s services to his country have been completed through this Foundation. The Foundation undertakes important work in pursuit of the advancement of scientific and medical practices that aim to improve the quality of life and alleviate human suffering. These include genetic screening and control programs that have a major impact in the community.
As well as his academic and charitable endeavours, His Highness is also an accomplished businessman, sitting as Chairman of SBK Holdings and as a board member of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. SBK Holdings have a range of companies that work across many different industries in the Gulf region and around the world. SBK companies employ 10,000 people in the UAE and the group’s business activities cover everything from hotels and real estate to newspaper publishing and distribution.
The award was presented  to His Highness in a private ceremony by Graeme Mullin, Director of Partnerships, Middle East,  at the University of Salford and Dr Ala Garad, CEO of Investors in People UAE and Chairman of the Salford GCC Advisory Board. Also at the presentation was Sunita Mirchandani, UAE Lead Advisor for Education and Training at the British Embassy in Dubai and Dr Mahmoud Taleb Al AIi, Executive Director of the Shiekh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation.
Dr Ala Garad added: “The relationship between students and their university is a life-long one. The University of Salford is proud of its sustained relationship with its alumni over years, across the world. This award is a landmark in the history of University to recognise the efforts and contributions of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.”


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Ministry of Education Email Service Initiative to Benefit 129,000 Students

Abdul Rahman Al Hammadi: ‘We aim to enhance communication channels between students and teachers and provide easy access to information’
UAE, June 11, 2015 – The Ministry of Education (MoE) has introduced an email service catering to 129,000 students throughout its schools. This unprecedented move allows students to utilize technology for a safer means of communication.

The dynamic interactive platform also enhances the students’ relationship with the academic faculty. Although the students are still currently in the process of registering to the service, on its first day the ministry has already activated more than 10,000 student emails.                      

Abdul Rahman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary of Support Services, said that the ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to help students efficiently integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into their educational process in order to ensure easy access to information and strengthen communication between student and teachers.
Al Hammadi emphasized that the new email service is part of an electronic network the ministry has established to support the communication of key leaders, senior officials, workers and other affiliates in the educational sector. He also said this is part of a series of diverse smart services the ministry will be providing to parents, all of which feature high levels of data security made possible via advanced programs and applications.
The Undersecretary added that the email network abides by safety standards that ensure the security of all student accounts, each of which has a capacity of up to 50 GB. He also pointed out that the ministry accredited the accounts with access to all electronic systems of learners through a Single Sign On (SSO) system. At the same time, the ministry has provided Microsoft Office Pro Plus to all students free of charge. Al Hammadi explained that the efficient use of Office Pro Plus is the third most important skill acquired by students worldwide, according to an International Data Corporation (IDC) report.


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Abu Dhabi School of Management – Training Program for Government

Abu Dhabi School of Management to conduct Balanced Scorecard Institute Certification Training
Programme tailored for government entities for the first time
UAE, May 10, 2015 –The Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), an educational institution dedicated to developing the UAE’s future entrepreneurial leaders, has announced that it will be conducting Balance Scorecard for Government Professional Certification BootCamp in collaboration with the Balanced Scorecard Institute (BSI). This marks the first time that the BSI certification is being tailored for government entities.
The first government version of the five-day Balanced Scorecard Certified Practitioner BootCamp will run from June 7 to 11, 2015 at the ADSM campus and will be delivered by the BSI Co-Founder and CEO Howard Rohm. Howard Rohm is a former U.S. government executive and the original developer of the Institute’s balanced scorecard framework, used worldwide by governments, industry and nonprofit organizations.
BSI will provide the training and certification materials for the course, which is based on the Institute’s proprietary framework for developing balanced scorecard systems, called the Nine Steps to SuccessTM. Those who complete the course and pass the certification examination will be certified jointly by BSI and the George Washington University College of Professional Studies at the level of Certified Balanced Scorecard Practitioner.
Sophia Korayim, Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Abu Dhabi School of Management, said: “The Balance Scorecard is an empowering tool that enables organizations to determine if they are getting the results they expect and need from their team. The courses we will co-deliver with BSI will enable the leadership of local government entities to ensure that deliverables are met according to international standards and in line with the strategies of their respective organizations.  This is the first time that a Balanced Scorecard certification training of this level is being offered for government entities so we expect the programme to have a considerable impact on the quality of governance across the emirate.”
The Balanced Scorecard is a strategy performance management tool that everyone in the organization can use to align strategy to mission and vision, align employees and the work they do to the strategy, and focus on improved program and service efficiency, effectiveness and delivery to citizens. Managers use to monitor how staff under their supervision perform their duties and the outcomes of their actions. It is used by businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations to align business activities to the vision and strategy of the organization, enhance internal and external communications, and benchmark organizational performance against strategic goals.
BSI is the original certifying body for balanced scorecard practitioners. Its award-winning framework, Nine Steps to SuccessTM, is a disciplined and practical approach to developing a strategic planning and management system based on the Balanced Scorecard. The Institute’s Certified Balanced Scorecard Practitioner programme is recognized worldwide, with around 2,000 practitioners from over 70 countries granted this level of proficiency so far since the program was launched in 2007.
“Around the world, our certification training continues to make a difference in the ability of organizations to improve their performance, align the work of their people with their strategies and vision, and gain valuable operational insights through well-designed metrics. By combining our 18 years of experience with government and other mission-driven organizations we have been able to customize a program unique to the culture and goals of government. Through our partnership with ADSM we aim to help Abu Dhabi’s government entities and employees achieve these results and incorporate the Balanced Scorecard as an essential part of their management,” added Howard Rohm.


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New York Times Best-Selling Author, Renowned Speaker and Thought Leader to Empower the Region’s Youth to be Leaders in the 21st Century

Global education practice leader Sean Covey’s first ever Middle East tour to focus on ‘The Leader in Me’ program: creating leaders, one child at a time

UAE, March 18th, 2015 – FranklinCovey Middle East, a global company that specializes in performance improvement of organizations, has announced the first ever visit of world renowned author and motivational speaker Sean Covey to the Middle East. During his pioneering tour, Sean will discuss how The leader In Me whole-school transformation model – developed in partnership with educators – empowers students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st Century. The Leader In Me, builds on the work of Dr Stephen R Covey’s The 7Habits of Highly Effective People and redefines what school greatness means by focusing on culture, leadership and academics.

Sean Covey, who is also the Executive Vice President Global Solutions and Partnerships and Education Practice Leader of  FranklinCovey, will be visiting Riyadh on March 22nd & 23rd, 2015, Abu Dhabi on March 24th and Dubai on March 25th, 2015.
Today’s changing world has a whole new set of rules, to which our youth will need to adapt. Key skills businesses and educators identified as vital to the futures of today’s students are developed within The Leader in Me process. These skills include: Leadership, Accountability, Adaptability, Initiative and Self-Direction, Cross-Cultural skills, Responsibility, Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Creativity and Teamwork.
‘The Leader in Me’ is a school-wide process that develops staff and students as leaders and thereby transforms the culture and performance of the school. While raising pedagogical standards, The Leader in Me draws on the world-class content of FranklinCovey, including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which staff, students and parents adopt as a common language. The Leader in Me schools seamlessly integrate leadership development into their daily curriculum, activities and systems; it becomes the school’s operating system. A school culture is created where every student is encouraged to set and achieve meaningful goals, to be a positive influence on others and to use his or her individual gifts to better the world. ‘The Leader in Me’ process strives ‘to build leaders, one child at a time.’
Sean said, “The Middle East represents a diverse geographic spread and a fantastic opportunity to build on the engagement of students, staff and parents. The education sector in the Middle East is highly viable thanks to a population heavily skewed towards youth. The Leader in Me is producing transformational results in over 2,000 schools worldwide and we are excited to bring the process to the Middle East.
Our vision is that one day our entire community will be impacted with citizens who are lifelong leaders and learners.”
In Riyadh, Sean is set to meet with officials from Saudi Arabia’s Educational sector and large corporate organizations. In the UAE he will meet the principals, teachers and parents from various schools under the Abu Dhabi Education Council in the country’s capital and with deans and senior executives of colleges and universities to be hosted at the American University in Dubai (AUD) to highlight the ‘7 Habits for College Students,’ which will empower them with the tools for achieving success in the future.
Sean graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a degree in English and later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and is known for writing motivational books for children and teens like Fourth Down and Life to Go: How to Turn Life’s Setbacks into Triumphs as his 1st motivational work published in 1990, The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens’ which became a New York Times Best Seller.
Sean lives by the common saying, “You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever”, He acknowledges that we only get one chance to prepare our students for a future none of us can predict. But the question is what are we going to do with that one chance?


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Education Key to Realising ENDP Employment Goals

UAE’s goal of 1% unemployment requires renewed focus on 21stCentury Skills.
Dubai, UAE, 17 February 2015 – A global expert on workforce education and training has welcomed the commitment of the Emirates National Development Programme (ENDP) to significantly reduce unemployment rates in the Emirates by 2021.  Mr Frank Edwards, Workforce Development Director at Pearson, has said embedding 21st Century skills in the country’s education system will be crucial to realising this commendable goal.
The ENDP has said that it wants the unemployment rate of Emirati nationals to fall below one percent by 2021, in line with the country’s 2021 National Vision. The ENDP believes that encouraging Emiratis to join the private sector in greater numbers, and seek jobs in burgeoning industries such as healthcare, construction, education and logistics, will help to achieve this target.
Government efforts to reduce unemployment rates in the UAE have been largely successful to date, with unemployment falling from 10.7 percent to just 2.6 percent over the past 10 years. However, it is widely accepted that improvements can still be made, particularly in lowering rates of unemployment amongst those under 30 years of age, which are high by both national and international standards.
Mr Edwards, who has significant expertise in Middle East youth unemployment, believes that closer alignment between education outcomes and workforce needs is essential to improving employment statistics in the UAE. He says:
“What we are seeing as countries seek to align around the world is a clear gap between the skills and knowledge being provided to students in their formal education, and the capabilities that modern businesses require from entrants to the workplace in order to perform successfully in globally orientated, rapidly changing markets. Business leaders have done much, but more needs to be done and employers need to be working more closely alongside policy makers and education providers, across the entire education spectrum, to develop pedagogies, curricula and resources that provide today’s learners with an education that maps more closely to the business and the ever changing workforce needs of the future”.
The Pearson-backed, Effective Education for Employment study looked at the key challenges facing workforces in fulfilling the needs of businesses, industry sectors and economies in 25 countries around the world. As part of the global study, the UAE was selected as one of five countries for special analysis. The authors of a report produced as part of the study identified 10 key traits that business leaders in the UAE were seeking when recruiting employees, which included:
• Self-awareness
• A high level of emotional intelligence
• The ability to do the job they are employed to do
• The ability to communicate knowledge
• The ability to manage well
• Commitment
• Personal accountability
• The willingness to take ownership of the business
• Discipline in terms of delivery
• The ability to learn
Mr Edwards believes more can and should be done to ensure learners not only in the GCC, but other countries around the world, are being given the opportunity to learn, and practically apply these skills:
“Today’s learners are going to experience a variety of jobs and careers in their lifetime, many of which don’t even exist today. One way we can help them to thrive in the workforce of the future is to give them adaptable, useable skills that can be transferred across professions and industries. We cannot possibly give our current generation of learners all the knowledge and information that they will need for life after they have completed their formal educations. However, what we can do is to prepare learners how to learn, how to apply information and how to adapt. This is what will give them strong employability prospects in both the public and private sectors and maximise their value and potential to future employers”.


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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.