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736 students get UOWD degrees

DUBAI — With loud cheers, more than 736 students flung their caps into the air after receiving their degrees from the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) in two ceremonies yesterday.

Hundreds of guests, including Minister for Education Dr Hanif Hassan, Australian Ambassador to the UAE Jeremy Bruer, and the students’ family and friends, attended the morning’s undergraduation ceremony and the evening’s postgraduation ceremony at Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Dr Hassan, alongside University of Wollongong (Australia) Chancellor Michael Codd A.C., handed 164 students their degrees in Business and Information Technology disciplines.

Bachelor of Business Administration top graduating student Gary Stanley D’Silva led a valedictory address on behalf of the students.

D’Silva described his experience as “gratifying as well as challenging” while stating that the future was sure to hold a new chapter with different trials and challenges.

In the postgraduation ceremony 572 students got their degrees in Strategic Marketing, Strategic HR Marketing, Business Administration, International Business and Quality Management programmes.

In his address, Prof. Nick van der Walt, Chief Executive Officer of UOWD, underlined the university’s position as a reputed institution of learning and research, focused on providing students the skills to be as comfortable in the classroom as the boardroom.

He reiterated the University’s mission to support the development of human resources in the country by developing the curriculum and introducing new programmes in areas of strategic priority as identified by the UAE’s leadership.

He also thanked the UAE authorities and UOWD’s industry partners for their support to the university and in providing relevant experience to students.

“This year marks a milestone for University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) as we complete 15 years of delivering value-added higher education to students of diverse nationalities,” added the professor.

“Drawing from a proud Australian heritage, our programmes are focused on producing professionals and leaders who will successfully contribute to the development of the country, the region and the international community.”