Michigan State University In Dubai To Hold First Multi-Disciplinary International Conference On Higher Education

Michigan State University in Dubai (MSU in Dubai) will be holding the “Dubai International Conference in Higher Education: Succeeding in the Pursuit of Quality” on the 28 and 29 January 2012. The two day event is the first international and multi-disciplinary higher education conference of its kind to take place in the region, with Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) acting as the conference’s academic partner. The conference aims to bring together academics from around the world to discuss the key issues facing the education sector in the Middle East today.

Dr. Tessa Dunseath, Executive Director, MSU in Dubai, said: “This conference, the theme of which is “Succeeding in the Pursuit of Quality”, offers an exciting opportunity for international educators to share knowledge, ideas and expertise as we strive constantly for greater quality, in teaching and learning, in research, in leadership and management, in administration and in community outreach.”

The conference is focused on three tracks: maintaining excellence through innovation; ensuring quality in learning and teaching; and demonstrating excellence in research and outreach. These tracks will be explored through panel discussions, workshops, poster sessions and academic papers, giving the attendees the opportunity to discuss the key challenges in the higher education sector and share insight, examples and solutions from their own experience and research.

All submissions have been peer reviewed and accepted based on quality, relevance and originality. Key topics to be covered include: Implementation Process of a Quality Management System in a Higher Education Institution; Market Based Steering of Higher Education in the UAE and its Impact on Quality; Enhancing Internationalisation in the Classroom; Role of Accreditation Process in Organisational Effectiveness; and the challenges faced by advisors and students with non-English speaking backgrounds and many more.

In addition to international academic institutions, many of the leading UAE-based universities have confirmed their participation at the conference including the American University in Dubai, the American University of Sharjah, Gulf Medical University, University of Wollongong Dubai, Ittihad University, Middlesex University, Emirates College of Advanced Education, American College of Dubai, Abu Dhabi Women’s College and Al Ghurair University.

As well as local academics, there will be international delegates from Austria, India, Iran, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Finland, USA, Australia, Kuwait, Poland and the USA. These academics will be joined by students, education leaders and researchers who will also be in attendance, as well as a number of NGOs. Admission is free for both days, however spaces are limited and expected to be filled quickly given the number and variety of presentations taking place.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director, TECOM Investments Education Cluster, said: “The UAE’s higher education sector has been characterised by rapid growth over the decades and it is the right time to host a multi-disciplinary higher education conference on this scale. It is an opportunity not just for those already involved in the higher education sector, but for those seeking to be involved, to familiarise themselves with the latest research and practices.”

“We are particularly pleased to see that 11 universities from the UAE are participating at the conference, a move that represents a major step forward in driving a long-term research agenda and innovation for the development of education sector.”

MSU in Dubai is introducing two new programmes in the coming academic year, a Masters in Judicial Administration from the School of Law and a Masters in Speech and Communicative Disorders from the School of Speech and Communicative Disorders. These new programmes join the following Masters programmes already offered by the University in: Law, Public Heath and Human Resources and Labour Relations. MSU in Dubai is ranked in the top 200 in the world according to QS and Shanghai Jiao Tong rankings. The conference will be hosted in the Dubai Knowledge Village Auditorium.  

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Jan 23, 2013

Back