Mohammed Omar Hefni President, University of Dubai

DUBAI
Opening the doors of global commerce

Established by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1997, the University of Dubai offers two bachelor’s degree programmes in Business Administration and Information Technology. Close bonds with the Chamber directly engage students with the local and international business communities.

“The fact that we are a part of the Chamber, allowing us full access to the members, is an important advantage we maintain,” notes Mohammed Omar Hefni, President of the University of Dubai. “It helps us provide internship opportunities to the students, as well as full-time positions for our graduates.”

Located in the heart of the emirate’s Dubai Academic City, the University of Dubai promotes community-based economic growth by equipping future business leaders with the skills to navigate the globalized marketplace. Currently, 40 per cent of the student body is comprised of expatriates, adding to the dynamic learning atmosphere. As part of the university’s vision, Dr. Hefni adds that the door for more international students will be open in the future.

To achieve international recognition, the university focuses its efforts on accrediting degree programs, rather than the university itself. According to Dr. Hefni, “the strategy is to obtain the accreditations for both schools so as to become the number one university in Dubai, which is within our grasp.”

The Business School at the University of Dubai has appointed an Advisory Council composed of four deans from prominent US business schools to assess progress. “They open us to expert feedback that helps us in decision-making in terms of what the business community needs,” says Dr. Hefni. “They assess the performance of the school and come up with a list of recommendations. Continuous improvement is an essential part of our values.”