The growth and scope of the international tourism industry is paralleled by immense opportunities to study its academic and applied aspects. This is even truer in Dubai and the UAE. To meet the demand in the tourism and event management industry, Middlesex University Dubai has added the new Executive Certificate in Events Management (ECEM) course to its current five undergraduate programmes.
The certificate will give students a hands-on approach to learning, as they will have an opportunity to interact with professionals in the industry.
"To add to our current offering and meet growing market demand in the UAE, we are launching the ECEM certificate," said Professor Raed Awamely, Middlesex University director. "This programme is taught by high calibre faculty who have both academic and industry experience."
Dr Marcus Stephenson, head of Tourism at the Dubai Campus, highlighted the need for professionals in the industry and the benefits students will enjoy as executive certificate receivers.
"Tourism and hospitality employers, and certainly employers in a range of other sectors are very encouraged by graduates with such specialist degrees as Tourism Management, especially when curricula powerfully focuses on operational, strategic and global principles," he said.
Stephenson added that the programme is formally recognised and endorsed by the International Festivals and Events Association, a primary event handler in the UAE. In addition to providing with professional training, Stephenson said that the programme would also provide students with expertise "associated with the creation and delivery of events, such as conferences, exhibitions, festivals, sporting events, concerts and private functions."
The new programme comprises four hours of class contact every Saturday evening, 48 hours in total across 12 weeks from late October to early February 2009, and is proposed to run on at least two occasions each academic year.
Although ECEM aims to attract professionals working in the industry, substantial fee waivers are available to those who are currently studying, or registering, for a tourism and hospitality management degree programme at Middlesex.
Accreditation
Though Middlesex University is not accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education, officials say that the quality of the university's education is identical to that at its base country in London, England.
Interested in the programme? We provide you with the basics:
Programme content: The central focus of the ECEM will be to provide an academic as well as a pragmatic approach to the planning and implementation of events. The course is composed of five main learning components:
Event planning context
Operational planning
Implementation
Problem solving
Case studies
Starting Date: Saturday, October 25
Time : 6 – 10pm every Saturday
Venue : Middlesex University Dubai, Block 16, Knowledge Village.
Duration : Total contact hours- 48
Fee: Dh14,000
To apply and for more information, visit http://www.mdx.ac.uk/Dubai
By Manal Ismail, Staff Reporter