khaleej times Tuesday, September 6, 2011
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Petroleum Institute
Imparting knowledge of local importance
Education with global relevance UAE universities aim to fulfil diverse industry expectations with broad-based curricula Staff Reporter
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URRICULA in institutions of higher learning increasingly integrate elements of ethics, social and cultural aspects to suit the growing multicultural work environment. Graduates are also equipped with broad-based learning and a specialty in more than one discipline to suit a wide variety of job profiles, according to Professor Abdullah Al Shamsi, Vice-Chancellor, The British University in Dubai. Al Shamsi’s comments were made during a panel discussion titled “Industry Expectations from the UAE Education Sector” at the third Education Forum that was organised in April by Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), a member of TECOM Investments’ education cluster. Delegates from key educational institutions and government departments, as well as representatives from leading universities, faculty members and private sector professionals participated in the DIAC Education Forum. The event focused on identifying the effectiveness of the UAE education system
in shaping the skills of tomorrow’s workforce to meet the requirements of the industry and employers. Shamsi added: “Current international college curricula address various important topics that are of global relevance. Graduation requirements from curricula point of view are universally similar. The depth is even more apparent in the post-graduate programmes. Furthermore, communication skills are becoming extremely important. Teamwork and professional skills are also accorded importance. In the UAE, issues that are demanded by employers are actually met in one way or another in most if not all of the accredited universities.” David Van Lochem, Human Resources Leader, IBM Middle East, said: “We select fresh graduates via an assessment centre. It is not only about what they know, it is more about identifying and developing their ultimate potential and whether they have what it takes to convince internal and external customers.” Underlining the objectives of the DIAC Education Forum, Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director, Education Cluster — TECOM Investments, said: “Assessing the industry needs is very crucial for the universities and the education sector in general. It will assist the graduating students in finding jobs and create a better link between the industry sector and higher education institutions.”
‘Awesome study tour’ 21 AAMC students spend five weeks in Oz this summer IN JULY, the Centre of Excellence for English, Al Ain Colleges, organised a short-term study tour for 21 male students from the Foundations and BAS programmes. The tour combined intensive English language classes with excursions to the Gold Coast’s favourite holiday attractions, such as, Sea World, Dreamworld, Currumbin Sanctuary, Wet ‘n’ Wild and Movie World. The tour group spent five weeks studying English at Bond University English Language Institute in Southern Queensland, and experienced life with an Australian family through home-stay accommodation. On returning to the UAE in August, Abdulkhaleq Mohammed Al Baloushi, a third-year BAS Engineering student and the student leader commented, “The five-week study tour was awesome! It gave us the opportunity to develop our English skills in one of
the most scenic and friendliest places I’ve ever been to. Not only did we discover what it is like to study in a different country, but we experienced living with an Australian family too. “This trip enabled us to make new friends with students from all over the world and exchange ideas on our different cultures. “I would recommend every student experiences studying overseas at some point in his or her studies. It was a tour which holds for me a lot of lasting memories and friendships.” All 21 students graduated from Bond University English Language Institute with a certificate of completion.
Nicolas & Asp University College
Graduates give reason to smile Nicolas & Asp University College, which operates from Dubai Healthcare City offers postgraduate dental education in several dental specialities NICOLAS & Asp University College recently graduated its second batch of Orthodontist specialists in collaboration with Malmo University in Sweden. The college’s graduates play a vital role in their respective communities to help patients enjoy a better smile and improved oral health. Nicolas & Asp University College offers postgraduate dental education in several dental specialities. Offered are three-year programmes includes Orthodontics, Paediatric Dentistry and Endodontics, a two-year diploma programme in advanced education in General Dentistry, and a one-year diploma programme in Oral Implantology. The University College has grown to about 110 individuals including 15 faculty members (nine full-time and six part-time), 40 support staff, and 45 students from 16 different nationalities. Besides the main educational facilities operating at Dubai Healthcare City, the University College operates a day-surgery clinic on Jumeirah Road as well as a “Smile” mobile dental van.
Petroleum Institute provides academic programmes leading to degrees in the engineering fields and applied sciences, fostering the creation of knowledge that is beneficial to the regional oil and gas industry
Modern campus — diverse community The PI has developed a truly multinational community, having more than 50 different nationalities working together producing research in many areas relevant to the energy industry. The evolution of the campus facilities reflects the needs of such a varied and talented group with state-of-the-art facilities for education, research, housing and recreation.
THE Petroleum Institute (PI) is a unique collaboration between academia, industry and government. It acts as a leading international centre for education and research through partnerships worldwide with elite engineering and science universities. PI was founded by an Emiri decree and opened in 2001. It provides academic programmes leading to degrees in the engineering fields and applied sciences, fostering the creation of knowledge that is beneficial to the regional oil and gas industry. PI is a leading international educational and research centre for this industry and provides continuing education opportunities to professionals in the petroleum industry. PI’s sponsors include Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and four subsidiary international oil companies. Currently, PI offers bachelor degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering, and petroleum geosciences, which have full CAA accreditation; polymer science and engineering and metallurgical science and engineering have initial accreditation. At the graduate level PI offers Masters of Engineering degrees in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering and Masters of Science in chemical, electrical, mechanical and petroleum engineering and petroleum geosciences all of which have initial accreditation from the CAA.
Undergraduate engineering education The undergraduate programmes provide a rigorous university education focused on engineering and applied science in the broad field of energy. The education of the whole person is central to the mission of PI so that the graduating engineers are equipped with the necessary technical and personal competencies to be successful life-long learners with the capability to function effectively in any environment. Male and female national students total 67.5 per cent of the undergraduate enrolment as compared to 32.5 per cent expatriates. Currently, 36 per cent of the undergraduate population is female. In addition, the institute’s post-graduate population has increased dramatically in the last two years. By providing educational opportunities for female students to earn engineering and science degrees, the PI helps to expand the role of females in the workforce. State-of-the-art laboratories Each programme is equipped with modern laboratories housing the most up-to-date instrumentation and technology. Labs vary from a full simulation drilling rig to materials science laboratories. Students have the unique opportunity to participate in advanced hands-on practical education experience
helping to prepare graduates in the new emerging energy technologies. Global graduate opportunities In order to encourage academic exchange (including faculty, research scholars, undergraduate and graduate students) the PI has signed memoranda of understandingwithleadinginternationaluniversities including Colorado School of Mines, USA; University of Maryland, USA; China University, Rice University, UT Austin, USA and Johannes Kepler University, Austria. Advanced research and technology development centre Research in the oil and gas industry is of high importance to the future of the UAE. The PI is charged with the responsibility of addressing the need for efficient production of energy and management of energy resources. The Takreer Research Facility is now complete with a principal research centre on the campus in the planning stages.