The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) will offer doctoral programmes in 2010, it was revealed at the school’s recent winter graduation ceremony in Dubai.

“As the chair of UOWD’s 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,” said Professor Gerard Sutton, vice-chancellor, University of Wollongong, Australia.

“The doctor of business administration will focus on research projects that will develop solutions to some of today’s challenges in all areas of business,” he said.

“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 university’s 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,” Prof Sutton added.

Prof Sutton continued: “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.”

“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,” Prof Sutton concluded.

A total of 396 graduates received their degrees at the winter graduation ceremony, the second ceremony in 2009, held at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

More than 22 per cent 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 won the Dubal Top UAE National Graduate award and the Top Graduate award in the faculty of engineering and computer science. – TradeArabia News Service