The British University in Dubai (BUiD) recently celebrated a record year following its largest graduating class to date, as postgraduate students from a range of disciplines were awarded degrees and diplomas.

The graduation ceremony witnessed 53 students receiving their postgraduate awards, nearly one-third of who were UAE nationals.

BUiD provides its students, which include young professionals, leading academic, corporate managers and aspiring leaders of all description, with the region’s first research-based postgraduate university experience, allowing the students to develop in-depth research and developmental skills that can be applied for their current and future career progression.

“Now more than ever, applicants holding postgraduate awards in higher education have better job experiences, opportunities and prospects,” said Dr Abdullah Alshamsi, vice-chancellor, the British University in Dubai.

“With the UAE and the rest of the Middle East developing at a fast pace, graduate study in project management is an ideal programme choice for students looking to develop their careers in the region,' he added.

'At the same time, our suite of programmes addresses the full range of key management and leadership disciplines for a knowledge-based economy and society. I am confident that our graduates are bright leaders and we hope our degrees will encourage more UAE-based students to accelerate their career pathway by providing rigorous and advanced postgraduate studies.”

This year, more than 50 per cent of the graduating students – and 80 per cent of the Emirati graduates – completed their master of science in project management, a field that has seen a surge in the number of applicants in recent years.

In addition, for the first time BUiD witnessed graduates receiving master of science in finance and banking this year – another discipline attracting a growing number of students.

BUiD also graduated the first batch of students who completed their professional graduate diploma in education as part of the ‘Teach in Dubai’ programme – a joint initiative between BUiD and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority to encourage Emirati nationals and Arab expatriates who live in the UAE to make a place for themselves in the education sector.

From the 2009 graduating class, 12 students – double the 2008 number – have passed their programmes with distinction, the highest available award for masters degree students.

BUiD also awarded five outstanding students who completed their master of education with the highest distinction of merit.

“BUiD’s ongoing success is largely due to the commitment and support from our friends and founders, who include the Al Maktoum Foundation, the British Business Group, the Dubai Development and Investment Authority, the National Bank of Dubai, and Rolls-Royce and of course the university’s council members ” concluded Dr Alshamsi. – TradeArabia News Service