British University, UOWD ink co-op deal
Dubai, August 25, 2011
The University of Wollongong in Dubai said it has signed a MoU with the British University in Dubai, (BUiD) to boost co-operative relationship in the areas of higher education and research.
As per the agreement, senior executive staff of both universities will meet annually to review progress on the collaborative activities and identify additional opportunities to work together.
The deal was signed by Prof Abdullah Alshamsi, vice chancellor BUiD and Prof Rob Whelan, president of UOWD during the annual Iftar ceremony organised by Dubai International Academic City and Knowledge Village.
The two universities also plan to collaborate in teaching, research, professional development university operations with the aim of enhancing academic interaction and sharing of skills, knowledge and experience of staff and students.
Some of the planned activities include: Broadening the student experience through joint student workshops; Actively facilitating research collaboration and knowledge-transfer; Working together to host public discussions on issues of importance to higher education sector, such as research and development funding and support for ICT developments.
Besides this, the deal also involves sharing best practices and innovations in teaching and learning through joint staff-development workshops and involvement in each other’s curriculum reviews and quality assurance, staff selection committees, and other benchmarking activities.
Dr Alshamsi and Whelan said the deal was significant as both universities are partners of Dubai International Academic City and the formal relationship created by the MoU highlights one of the academic city's goals, which is to encourage collaboration among member universities.
“The objective is to broaden the areas of collaboration into teaching and administration,” remarked Whelan.
He pointed out that one distinctive feature of the agreement was an explicit commitment to a one-year action plan, with particular staff members identified as responsible for progressing the various components.-TradeArabia News Service
