The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) will offer a doctor of philosophy (PhD) programme from autumn 2010.

This offer comes upon approval by the commission for academic accreditation, UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, for the doctoral degree.

It also makes UOWD the first nationally accredited private university in the UAE to offer PhD and doctor of business administration (DBA) programmes.

"The UOWD is proud of reaching this important milestone in our development," said Professor Rob Whelan, President of UOWD.

”This outcome is an acknowledgement of the quality of our academic staff, whose qualifications, skills and research output were critical to the success of the PhD proposal. It also reflects very well on our administrative staff and processes."

The goal of the PhD is to provide a combination of research skills training, exposure to the latest business research and conducting an original research project, which will contribute to the development of theory in the field.

This programme will see students grow as ‘professional researchers’, leading to careers in research organisations and universities.

In contrast, the doctor of business administration degree focuses on research which will lead to improved business practice, and is aimed at professionals who are already working in business – helping them to become ‘researching professionals’.

"Both private and public sector organisations in the UAE are increasingly seeking professionals differentiated by their capacity to undertake original, theoretical research to deal with organisational challenges,” Prof Whelan continued.

“The UAE's rapidly expanding higher education sector is also creating demand for research-active academics with doctoral qualifications for teaching in advanced subjects and to conduct research.”

"UOWD aims to cater to this important need for research degrees by offering the PhD.” He concluded. – TradeArabia News Service