Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences Honours Ministry of Health and Prevention

Ministry plays vital role in success of first kidney transplant in Dubai
 
UAE, 27 June, 2016 – Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU) honored the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) for its contribution to the success of the first kidney transplant in Dubai. Dr. Mohamed Salim Al Olama, Undersecretary of MOHAP, received the University’s trophy as a token of appreciation from Dr. Amer Ahmad Sharif, CEO of the Education Sector in Dubai Healthcare City Authority, during his visit with the University delegation at MOHAP’s headquarters in Dubai.
 
Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences honours Ministry of Health and Prevention

The recognition event was held in the presence of Dr. Youssif Al Serkal, Assistant Undersecretary for Hospitals Sector, and University delegates Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Farhad Janahi, Consultant Urologist and Assistant Professor, and Nujood Al Khloofi, Director of Marketing and External Relations Department at MBRU.

Dr. Al Olama expressed his appreciation for the recognition and noted that MOHAP’s efforts leading to the success of the first kidney transplant in Dubai hails from the directives of the UAE’s wise leadership to raise the level of health services for citizens and residents and ensure it meets the highest international standards.
 
He said that the UAE’s healthcare sector is undergoing a major transformation as new paths are taken and adopted in the field of surgical care and organ transplant, as well as innovation in diagnostic and therapeutic services, application of advanced medical technology, and continuing education for the country’s doctors, consultants and nurses – all of which are aimed at ensuring satisfaction and happiness for citizens and residents as embodied in UAE Vision 2021.
 
The Ministry will spare no effort to support all significant initiatives in modern surgeries and will take advantage of the global development in organ transplants, including the latest education developments in universities, research and treatment centers and major hospitals, he added.
 
Dr. Sharif articulated his appreciation to the Ministry for its unwavering support to the success of the first kidney transplant in Dubai, which he said is an ideal example of cooperation among various stakeholders. He also cited MOHAP’s vital role in supporting innovative projects for the advancement of medical education, which will place the country among the world’s top medical achievers by engaging in strategic partnerships and initiating treatment programs for enhancing the health of individuals and society as a whole.

43 Children Graduate from DEWA Nurseries in 2016

Dubai, UAE, 20 June 2016Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s (DEWA’s) nurseries have had 43 children graduate in 2016. These are employees’ children who turned four and completed the requirements to go to kindergarten. The graduation ceremony, organised by the nursery’s management, was attended by HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, and Dr. Yousef Al Akraf, Executive Vice President of Business Support and Human Resources at DEWA.
Dewa Nurseries

“DEWA takes priority in its staff”, as they are the cornerstone for achieving excellence in all areas, and the driving force behind corporate success and leadership. DEWA is committed to providing a motivating, positive, and happy working environment for its female staff. This helps provide social stability for working mothers, which in turn reflects positively on their work-life balance. The nurseries develop the children’s capabilities in a safe environment supervised by qualified and specialised female teachers and supervisors. This is achieved through various educational, cultural, and entertaining activities. The nurseries provide all requirements and tools that build their personalities and prepare them for school. This is done according to the highest international standards in education and healthy upbringing. This helped raise parents’ satisfaction to 98%,” said Al Tayer.

“DEWA established the nurseries to support and empower working mothers and provide a working environment that provides social and psychological care for mothers in their presence near their children. DEWA’s nurseries organise various educational and recreational activities which develop children’s mental abilities and contribute to their development,” said Al Akraf.
DEWA established the first nursery for the children of its employees in February 2010 according to the highest international standards in education, with a capacity of 40 children. Another nursery opened with a capacity of 48 children in the Sustainable Building at Al Quoz in April 2013. The third nursery opened at DEWA’s Al Warsan centre, which accommodates 87 children. A total number of 216 children have graduated from DEWA’s nurseries, this summer.

HBMSU Commissioned to Convert Al Ahli Driving Centre’s Theoretical Lessons to Interactive eLearning Format

Cloud-ready content to be available in three languages & accessible across all platforms & devices
UAE, June 19, 2016 – Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has announced that it has been commissioned by Al Ahli Driving Centre, a Dubai-based driving school to develop an interactive online version of its theoretical lessons to enhance existing training and registration processes. The contract was signed at the HBMSU campus in the presence of Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU and Emirati referee Ali Bujsaim, Chairman of Al Ahli Group.
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU and Emirati referee Ali Bujsaim, Chairman of Al Ahli Group

Under the terms of the agreement, HBMSU will make the content available in three languages – English, Arabic and Urdu – and host them on the Cloud where they can be accessed via all platforms and devices. The university will also develop a system for displaying the Centre’s courses and produce videos with HTML5 content covering eight (8) lessons. Each session will take up 45 minutes of learning time, inclusive of evaluation and assessment, and will incorporate animation and graphics as well as a presenter to add a personal, interactive touch.

HBMSU will provide a state-of-the-art platform for hosting the content which will feature tracking and reporting functions and integrate with existing learner registration and course navigation systems.
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, said: “Driving is a common yet important activity that affects our personal, professional and social lives. Our agreement with Al Ahli Driving Centre will help make driving practices clearer, safer and more broadly adopted by eliciting higher interest, participation and feedback from learners who will benefit from interactive sessions that are further enriched by assessments. It will also enhance the Centre’s registration, processing and course delivery to provide a more convenient and fulfilling experience for customers. We look forward to applying our vast eLearning experience to driver training through this agreement.”
“Our new eLearning platform will enable our learners to access instructional materials anytime and anywhere, at their own pace and convenience, in coordination with the Center. The interactive versions of our lessons that we have commissioned HBMSU to develop can emphasize key aspects of driving better than traditional classroom methods. Moreover, the extended automation of our registration and training are in step with Dubai’s ongoing ‘Smart Transformation.’ This agreement is a major step towards optimizing the training and operational efficiency of our institution,” added Bujsaim.
HBMSU’s agreement with Al Ahli Driving Centre forms part of its ongoing efforts to apply its expertise in high-quality, innovative and research-driven ‘smart’ learning to everyday living to create a productive and responsible knowledge-driven Arab society.

Pearson, Emirates Aviation University Applaud New Rules Governing Vocational Qualifications

Leading education providers in the UAE welcome recognition of international qualifications
Dubai, UAE, 17 May, 2016 – Dubai: The Emirates Aviation University and Pearson have announced their support of changes to the rules governing qualifications recognition in the UAE.
Recently, the UAE’s National Qualifications Authority (NQA) and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced that international qualifications, such as Pearson’s BTEC qualifications, would be recognised throughout the UAE.
Pearson qualifications, including the BTEC National Diplomas and Higher National Diplomas, are offered through a number of UAE educational providers. These qualifications, which have long been recognised by awarding agencies around the world, will now also be officially recognised by the UAE government.
Dr Naji Al Mahdi, Chief of Qualifications and Awards at KHDA, was enthusiastic about the benefits UAE recognition of international qualifications will bring. He commented: “This new recognition service will address challenges faced by young men and women ingetting their professional and vocational qualifications recognised in the UAE. The recognition service will provide an official confirmation and validation that an international qualification meets the requirements of a specific level on the National Qualifications Framework for the purpose of employment and progression to higher education”.
The Emirates Aviation University (EAU), which offers several BTEC qualifications, has applauded the announcement. Dr Ahmad Al Ali, Vice Chancellor of EAUbelieves changes will bring benefits not only to those learners undertaking a professional or vocational qualification, but also organisations looking to recruit suitable trained graduates. He says: “Undertaking a vocational qualification requires a significant commitment in both time and money.  Learners therefore want to be sure that they are embarking on a programme that will give them the best possible chance of success in future employment. By obtaining recognition, programmes like the Higher National Diploma have been given a mark of quality that assures learners that their chosen qualification adheres to rigorous guidelines. It is also great news for employers, who will now be readily able to identify candidates with a superior qualification and have an understanding of the level of capability associated with that qualification.”
Mark Andrews, Regional Director of Pearson Qualifications in the Middle East acknowledged the important role recognition plays in building a professional and competent vocational workforce. He says: “The UAE, and wider GCC region are affected by a skills gap where employers are routinely unable to find candidates with the requisite standard of qualifications and competencies, particularly in many vocational areas. The changes to the way vocational qualifications are recognised in the UAE will help to build a more professional vocationally-based workforce, and fill some of the gaps that currently exist in the labour market. By streamlining and simplifying the recognition process, we will hopefully see more people completing high quality vocational programmes and entering employment in in-demand fields”.

GETEX 2016 to Unveil Prime Education & Training Opportunities to Over 35,000 Visitors

Diverse mix of guests to be treated to more than 2,500 study programmes
 
Dubai, UAE, March 03, 2016 – The latest edition of the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX), the leading student recruitment platform in the Middle East and Asia, is expected to attract 35,000 visitors from April 13 to 15, 2016 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. During its three-day run, GETEX 2016 will focus on topics such as General Education, Residential Schools, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Education, Occupational and Industry Education, Professional Development, Continuing Education and Training, as well as host a Student Counselling and Career Advisory Forum.
GETEX Dubai

GETEX 2016 will target various student groups based on their preferences, ensuring that it maintains an exceptional year-on-year exhibitor retention rate of over 90 percent. The hosted seminars and presentations on subjects that bridge the gap between education and industry will reinforce ties with the business community. Unlike other advertising mediums, GETEX offers tangible returns on exhibitor investments as much of the recruitment happens on the exhibition floor. Students across all age groups will have access to more than 2,500 international academic, training and vocational programs during the three-day event.

GETEX Dubai

Anselm Godinho, Managing Director of International Conferences & Exhibitions, the organizer of GETEX, said: “For nearly three decades, GETEX has provided a vital link between learners and professionals seeking prime education and education providers, offering the best study programmes for aspiring students. The 2016 edition of GETEX will cater to a broader audience in response to growing demand in specific industry sectors such as Medicine, Engineering and Finance along with a host of vocational trades. School officials, faculty, parents and students of all ages will appreciate the vast array of study options that GETEX has to offer. Exhibitors, on the other hand, will have an easier time pursuing their admissions targets and enrolment quotas courtesy of the show.”

GETEX is the Middle East’s longest running student sourcing event. It is organized by International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E), one of the longest standing international exhibition houses in the region. Last year’s edition received 35,500 visitors, 63 per cent of whom were high school students looking for undergraduate programmes, 23 per cent mature learners seeking postgraduate education options, 12 per cent professionals interested in occupational education and training courses, and 2 per cent faculty, career guidance counsellors and visitors from education regulatory authorities around the Middle East. Entrance to the upcoming show is free. For more information, please visit http://www.mygetex.com.

Dubai Smart Government signs MoU with Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government

 MoU contributes to building leaders and qualified national staff
Dubai, UAE, November 4, 2015 – Dubai Smart Government Department (DSG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government. Under the MoU, the government partnership will be bolstered through exchange of knowledge and best practices at all levels and the streamlining of corporate communication channels between the two organizations.

Dubai Smart Government Department (DSG) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government.

The partnership will extend to fields such as training, education, leader preparation and empowerment programmes. It will also enrich the knowledge content of educational and training activities with practical government administration experiences, expertise and scientific research to support government performance. It will also enable the best government practices to be documented and disseminated, particularly those related to regionally and internationally reputed foundations with the aim of ensuring continuous development of excellence in the government sector.
This was announced during the signing ceremony of the MoU between H.E. Ahmad Bin Humaidan, DSG Director General, and H.E. Dr. Ali Sebaa Al Marri, Executive President of Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG). According to the MoU, a joint committee will be formed to follow up the implementation of its articles in the most optimal manner.
Expressing his happiness about signing the MoU, Bin Humaidan said: “Based on DSG’s strategy aimed at enhancing its employees’ smart skills as a basic element for building an enabled environment that would contribute to achieving our strategy, we are keen on training our employees, keeping them abreast of the scientific progress updates that serve their scope of work and familiarizing them with the latest innovations that help fulfill the vision and trends of the prudent leadership, particularly HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for Dubai to become the smartest city in the world.”
Bin Humaidan added: “Signing this MoU with MBRSG is a step towards building effective knowledge-based partnership relations between the two parties, enabling DSG to benefit from MBRSG’s experience in this field as this will reflect positively on enriching the knowledge of our employees and building qualified staff as per the world’s best standards.”
Meanwhile, Al Marri said: “We are pleased to sign this MoU, which is aimed at training and empowering DSG staff at all administrative levels with a view to building leaders and qualified national staff and helping them achieve advanced levels in corporate excellence. We also seek to benefit from DSG’s distinguished development and accumulated experiences as well as its employment of many best practices to enrich our knowledge-based content for the benefit of all our partnering government entities.”
The curriculum will feature training courses in creativity, innovation and smart management based on MBRSG’s role in enhancing the strategic vision of Dubai Government and the UAE, which prompts development and transformation to smart government, according to Al Marri. He also noted that the courses would be worked out as per the highest academic standards through which leaders would be prepared to face work challenges, own the ability to evaluate them, take the right decisions as government officials and enrich those courses with interactive activities, best practices and success stories from an elite group of UAE leaders.

High-Quality Programs in Government Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Islamic Banking & Social Media

HBMSU launches human capital development training courses to meet local and regional needs of creative cadres
UAE, September 14, 2015 – Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) has launched a series of human capital development courses aimed at producing generations of Arabs who are capable of meeting the needs of the 21st century. The new courses, which will be offered until December of this year, have been designed to provide learners with enriched knowledge and high-level experience on leadership, institutional innovation, change management, entrepreneurship, Islamic banking and social media — all of which are main pillars driving the Arab World’s development today.
Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University

The training courses fall in line with the objectives of UAE Vision 2021 focusing on building a competitive economy by enhancing the knowledge of, and encouraging innovations among, the country’s citizens. They give emphasis on the most crucial issues of government excellence, economic recovery and sustainable development. The programs include ‘The Implementation of Innovative Initiatives through Change Management,’ ‘Using Three-Dimension Approach in Institutional Innovation,’ ‘Skills of 21st Century Leader,’ and ‘Creativity in Entrepreneurship.’

The second round of the professional diploma ‘Innovation Leadership in Governmental Sector’ training program is a major boost to ongoing efforts towards building a generation qualified to lead innovative public initiatives. The course also embodies the objectives of the ‘National Strategy for Innovation’ launched by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to position the UAE among the most innovative countries in the world by 2021.

As part of its commitment to help make Dubai the capital of the Islamic economy, HBMSU is set to launch the ‘Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ (CIMA) program focusing on Islamic Banking and Takaful. The learners’ digital skills will also be developed through two programs, namely ‘Using Social Media and Its Role in Enriching Education and Interactive Training’ and ‘Using Smart Phone Applications in Providing Information Services in Libraries and Information Centers.’ The university also offers an integrated workshop in the development of effective budgets and costs control, which is aimed at the development of accounting and financial skills of participants in the preparation and analysis of financial statements and government budgets in accordance with international standards of the government sector. The course offering also looks towards identifying the modern financial analysis methods in the areas of analysis and evaluation of projects, with the training of participants on the preparation of the budgets in different ways.

Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor, HBMSU said: “Promoting a culture of innovation and creativity and instilling the spirit of leadership among young people are part of our strategic priorities. We remain committed to meeting the Arab World’s growing needs to build qualified human resources capable of leading an integrated knowledge-based economy for a better future. The recent launching of the new training courses is a strong push towards building generations with strong initiative as well as world-class leadership and creativity skills. This will help position the UAE among the top countries in terms of ease of doing business, global competitiveness, innovation, entrepreneurship and development.  We are in effect working towards achieving the objectives enshrined in UAE Vision 2021.”

Al Awar pointed out that HBMSU is one of the first academic and educational institutions to respond to the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed of turning Dubai into the future global capital of the Islamic economy. “Today, we are making further progress in our endeavors.  We are encouraging our students to make a positive impact on Islamic banking and finance through our valued programs which combine both modern technologies and innovative learning methods for effective transfer of knowledge.”

“Our efforts form part of our vision to make HBMSU as the top university of choice in the Arab World in shaping the future of education and learning through innovative solutions. In light of this, we are committed to develop and design innovative academic and training programs that stimulate creativity, leadership and success to help shape the future, enhance our economic competitiveness and develop a unified society. All of these efforts are aligned with UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Strategic Plan 2021,” concluded Al Awar.

The offered training courses are ‘Creativity in Entrepreneurship,’ ‘Innovation Leadership in Governmental Sector,’ ‘The Implementation of Innovative Initiatives through Change Management,’ ‘Using Three-Dimension Approach in Institutional Innovation,’ ‘Skills of 21st Century Leader,’ ‘Using Social Media and Its Role in Enriching Education and Interactive Training,’ ‘Using Smart Phone Applications in Providing Information Services in Libraries and Information Center,’ and ‘Integrated Workshop in the Development of Effective Budgets and Costs Control.’ All programs are offered in Arabic except for ‘Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ (CIMA)/Islamic Banking and Takaful, which is taught in English only.

Empower participates in Dubai Women’s College Industry Week

The company seeks to provide better understanding on nature of jobs in district cooling industry
Dubai, UAE, September 14th, 2015 – Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, takes part in the upcoming Industry Week organised by the Higher Colleges of Technology – Dubai Women’s College from 13 to 17 September to give students a better understanding of what it is like working in district cooling industry.

“As part of its social commitment as a leading global service provider, Empower will highlight various aspects of district cooling operations allowing students to engage in lively discussion,” says H.E Ahmad Bin Shafar, CEO of Empower. “We would like to help students understand the major opportunities available in this emerging industry.”
Industry Week will help students plan their future, boost their employability skills, and stand out from the crowd in the competitive UAE job market.
From 9 am to 3 pm all week long, Empower will showcase world-class advancements in this industry, as well as district cooling operations in various real-estate projects around Dubai. “We are confident that our team at the Industry Week will have fruitful interaction with talented senior students in their 3rdand 4th year of study, who might be interested to launch a career in this industry,” said Bin Shafar.
“Empower’s core business is to provide district cooling services. The significant increase of awareness about the benefits of this industry has resulted in a rise in the demand for our services, consequently, the continuity of staffing,” added Bin Shafar.
“As a unique industry, there are tremendous opportunities for developing a wide range of sophisticated competencies; especially in the technical, customer service, and project management fields, which means secure career progression,” continued Bin Shafar.
“The bottom line is that working for Empower is, in more than one way, a chance to secure an excellent career development, and contribute to the development of the UAE,” added Bin Shafar.
The structure of Empower comprises nine departments which are: Sales & Marketing Department, Commercial Department, Project Management Office, Operations & Maintenance Department, Technical Department, Finance & IT / SCADA Department, Business Support Services, Corporate Strategy, and Human Capital Department.
In its endeavor to bridge the gaps between employees’ performance and Empower’s standards; the company exposes its employees, based on the actual needs to different types of training programmes. “On the job” training is normally offered while conducting day-to-day work, and “off the job” training is offered either locally or overseas. Group in-house courses are also provided as and when required. Empower also encourages its employees to attend conferences and seminars with the objective of allowing them to keep abreast with the latest developments in business and industry. As soon as the employee officially joins Empower, he will undergo a comprehensive Introduction Program which aims at introducing him to the people and understand Empower’s activities, and its scope of operations. He will then be expected to submit a report to understand the level of his understanding.
Industry Week will be open to the whole Dubai Women’s College Community, including students, faculty, and staff members. It will help students gain current information on key industry trends; explore a range of career paths in line with the student’s programme/major, and work placement options; network with prospective employers, and practice essential professional skills; recognize key players in the UAE labor market of around 70+ employers throughout Industry Week; develop relationships with employers, which could lead to student internships; and engage with employers to complete -course work- Industry Projects.
“Interaction between students and industry experts interaction will create a memorable industry week, designed to inspire and develop the students’ career aspirations. We invite all students to join Empower to achieve their personal growth, secure excellent career progression, and contribute to the UAE’s development,” said Bin Shafar.
“It is not the first time Empower is engaging in such social events. We have recently organised a training programme in which many UAE students were familiarised with skills needed in District Cooling industry,” concluded Bin Shafar.
Empower operates more than 1 Million Refrigeration Tons (RT), providing environmentally friendly district cooling services to large-scale real estate developments, such as Jumeirah Group, Business Bay, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah,  Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World Trade Centre Residences and Dubai Design District, amongst others.

Ends

Group of UAE Trainees Tours Empower’s State of the Art Plant at Business Bay

Bin Shafar says that the organization pays special focus on training and inducting Emirati students, particularly at technical roles.
Dubai, UAE, August 23rd, 2015 – As part of its internship programme to familiarise UAE students on skills needed in the district cooling industry, Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (EMPOWER), the world’s largest district cooling services provider, has run a visit for a group of trainees, currently doing internship at Empower, to its BB-2 plant in Business Bay, Dubai. The visit was part of the students’ curriculum to understand the process of district cooling adopted at Empower.
During the visit, Empower’s operations team at BB-2, led by the Supervisor in Charge, explained to the students on the details and technical aspects of how the plants operates  and how district cooling technology differs from other methods of air-conditioning.
Serving the requirements of the courses, the study trip helped in promoting the theoretical knowledge with the practical experience for those students who are doing majors in International Business, Electrical & Electronic Engineering and HR/Business Administration.
H.E Ahmad Bin Shafar, Chief Executive Officer of Empower, said that this visit succeeded in honing the skills of the students in the fields of operations, maintenance and management.
Bin Shafar added: “This visit has given students with detailed practical knowledge on district cooling technology, its advantages and processes. The students realised the friendliness of this technology to the environment especially at Empower plants where we use Treated Sewage Effluent(TSE) technology coupled with the reverse osmosis technology that use recycled water to produce cooling to our end-users.
He added: “Our aim is to enhance the district cooling sector in the UAE since we are great believers in its role in conserving the natural resources and ensuring sustainability for future generations. We encourage all stakeholders such as banks, financial companies, private and public sectors, hospitals, hotels, universities, factories, real estate developers and others to take bigger part in the development of this sector in the UAE. We are also committed to encourage students to consider this sector for a potential career.”
The students who visited the plant come from universities such as Higher Colleges of Technology, University of Nottingham, American University in the Emirates, and International School of Arts & Sciences. Empower looks at those interns as ambassadors to promote district cooling technology to their colleagues at universities.
Empower currently operates plants across so many areas in Dubai such as Business Bay where students visited the plant as well as Jumeirah Group, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Ibn Battuta Mall, Discovery Gardens, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai World Trade Centre Residences and Dubai Design District, among others.

Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence honors outstanding law students

Dubai Courts successfully concludes 4th Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Moot Court Competition 
·      Competition attracts wide participation from UAE & other GCC states
UAE, May 4, 2015 Dubai Courts recently honoured the winners of the 4th Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Moot Court Competition held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Judicial Council, with the theme ‘Personal Status Case.’ The recognition took place during the concluding ceremony of the first-of-its-kind Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence, an initiative that encourages leadership and excellence within the UAE’s and the region’s legal and judicial systems.  

H.E. Expert Tarish Eid Al Mansouri, Director General, Dubai Courts, said the successful hosting of the Moot Court Competition over the past few years has made a positive impact on the ongoing efforts to boost investments in the national law system and judicial competencies. He also cited the numerous accomplishments of the Initiatives attained mainly due to the unparalleled support of H.H. Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed. The Initiatives aim to build a highly-skilled generation capable of promoting the values of justice and consolidating the rule of law in line with the vision and directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
Al Mansouri said the 4th edition of this year’s competition saw a big turnout, with 11 teams from leading law universities and colleges in the UAE and the rest of the GCC actively participating in the contest. The overwhelming response reflects the strong trust and confidence of the local and regional legal communities in the Initiatives, which strive to establish a culture of excellence, creativity and leadership within regional legal and judicial systems to complement economic progress and development.
“The Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Moot Court Competition has been playing an effective role in facilitating open dialogues between judicial authorities and law universities in the UAE and the rest of the GCC states. It drives excellence within the judicial and legal systems by helping further improve competencies. One of the competition’s key components is adopting a theoretical and practical approach to develop the participants’ personal and professional skills. Specifically, we aim to improve their competencies in persuasion, analysis, research and derivation through a series of written and oral pleadings involving real and moot court cases. The participants are also given a chance to take part in interactive sessions with high-profile judges. Such a challenge will improve our law students’ competitiveness and leadership skills,” Al Mansouri added.

This year’s winners were honored after the final round which also saw the contenders competing in virtual oral pleadings, similar to real trials, in front of a judicial arbitration panel from Dubai Courts. Team Imam Malik College for Sharia & Law was awarded the Overall Excellence Award followed by Université Saint Joseph Law School and United Arab Emirates University; whereas, Team Université Saint Joseph Law School won the Best Team in Written Submissions Award; and Team United Arab Emirates University bagged the Best Team in Oral Hearing Award. Student Khalifa Ahli received the Most Distinctive Male Student Award, while student Mariam Abd El Salam was given the Most Distinctive Female Student Award.

A total of 11 teams joined the competition’s 4th edition, nine of which represented leading law universities and colleges in the UAE. The local participants included Imam Malik College for Islamic Shariah and Law, University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates University, Police Academy, American University in the Emirates, Emirates Canadian University, University of Jazeera, Université Saint Joseph Law School, and City University College. Some of the participating teams from other GCC states were University of Bahrain from Bahrain and Dar Al-Hekma College from Saudi Arabia.
A part of the Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Maktoum Initiatives for Legal Excellence, the Maktoum Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum Moot Court Competition is an academic contest aimed at building a well-experienced generation of law students capable of consolidating the principles of justice within the community. Targeting students from top law universities and colleges in the UAE and GCC countries, the competition comprises two phases.  The first phase includes the preparation of written memos on the basis of facts and presumptions, while phase two includes the delivery of oral pleadings in front of a judicial arbitration panel from Dubai Courts.