The University of Manchester has graduated the first cohort of students from the Middle East Centre in Dubai studying the part-time MSc Reliability Engineering & Asset Management (REAM) programme. 

 

The first cohort comprised 10 students residing and working in the region. The virtual graduation ceremony for the Civil Engineering Class of 2020 was hosted by the MACE (Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering) department in Manchester and the online ceremony included a personal message from the President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, Dame Nancy Rothwell.

 

The first cohort of MSc REAM students graduating from the Middle East consisted of five nationalities residing in four countries - UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Pakistan - with the majority from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Three of the group graduated with Distinction. All of the graduates are qualified working professionals and half the cohort is currently working in the Oil & Gas sector in the region.

 

The MSc REAM programme focuses on the practical application of theory to real-world industry needs, while students continue to work and apply their new knowledge in the workplace. It covers various aspects of applied management and technology in the field of REAM, and aims to enhance the capabilities of existing managers in the field through the programme structure and content, as well as new graduates entering the field or those with limited industry experience. 

 

The programme’s teaching staff comprises internationally recognised professionals with years of experience working in industry and academic institutions. The course is fully accredited by The Institution of Mechanical Engineers. 

 

Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: “This is a time when we celebrate all your achievements albeit in unusual circumstances. It’s certainly a first for me as a way of marking your accomplishments. During the course of your studies you will have gained the skills and knowledge to help you find success in future years, and more recently you have proved even greater ability with your resilience and versatility in the face of a global transformation of our everyday lives and learning. 

 

“Put simply, your achievement in completing your degree cannot be overestimated for its value and the strong platform it gives you to build your career and achieve your goals. So, armed with your academic success, your skills and your breadth of experience, there is every reason to be positive about the future. Your job prospects having studied here are enviable because employers all around the world recognise the value of the award you have gained. Remember our doors are always open to you.”

 

Randa Bessiso, Director-Middle East, The University of Manchester, added: “We are delighted to graduate our first cohort of MSc REAM students from the Middle East and congratulate them all on their achievement. They have proved their resilience in completing this demanding blended learning programme and successfully balancing life, work and studies, even with the additional challenge of Covid-19 and so their accomplishments deserve special recognition in these exceptional circumstances. The virtual graduation ceremony is a compromise of course but we were very pleased that our President and Vice-Chancellor, Dame Nancy Rothwell, was able to join the ceremony and deliver her personal message of support to all the graduates.” 

 

The University of Manchester Middle East Centre has supported more than 2,700 part-time MBA students based in the region and has graduated more than 1,700 students since opening in Dubai Knowledge Park in 2006, making it the largest and fastest growing centre in the University’s international network. The University maintained its highest-ever position in the QS World University Rankings 2020, which lists 

 

The University of Manchester as the world’s 27th best university. QS university league tables also position the University at 6th in the UK and 8th in Europe, and part of the elite group of research-driven institutions.-- Tradearabia News Service