Alumni Newsletter, Vol. 8, Issue 1 - Nov 2016

Message from the President, UDAA

Dear Alumni,  

The University of Dubai Alumni Association (UDAA)
aims at creating a home-like, comfortable environment for its members and at recognizing alumni professional success. The association also promotes creativity, hard work and proficiency at all levels and works effectively to establish a solid, cultivated knowledge base for the UD alumni to help them thrive and shine in their careers.
Taking this as my point of departure, I would like to congratulate the class of 2016, wish them a life full of happiness, success, and achievements, and welcome them to the UDAA. Read more..

What is in this issue?

  1. UD Alumni Celebrate Their New Campus.
  2. Alumni Continuous Learning Program (ACLP).
  3. UD partner with Trakhees to Offer Professional Training for its Staff.
  4. UD graduates celebrated the 7th Annual Alumni Homecoming Event.
  5. UD Adopts the Name “Dubai Business School” for its
    College of Business Administration.
  6. University of Dubai Grants 50% Scholarship.
  7. University of Dubai Launches Happiness and Positivity Program
    as First of Its Kind Initiative in the World.
  8. Charity Gala Suhoor.
  9. University of Dubai Alumni Association (UDAA) Board of Directors meetings.
  10. Mr. Mikdadi’s Appointment As Inaugural Chairman, Future CEO Program Receives Full Endorsement from The CEO Institute.
Alumni Continuous Learning Program (ACLP)
The program was established 3 years back in 2013 and it was an initiative from one of UD alumnus. This year around 10 alumni registered for ACLP courses, mainly for the graduate courses such as Managing Change, Leadership Development and Ethical Hacking & Network Defense. By the end of the program all attendees get certificate of attendance. The program is free of charge for the first course.
UD and Trakhees Sign MoU to Offer Vocational Training for Pre-graduate Students - February 2016
University of Dubai has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Trakhees Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation to develop human resource capabilities in Trakhees and offer vocational training for pre-graduation students in the university. The program will equip the students with the experience and skill sets to enable them to enter various work environments.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Eesa M. Bastaki, President of University of Dubai and H.E. Omar Al Hamli, Executive Director Corporate Support of Trakhees. Read more.

 
UD Alumni Celebrate Their New Campus – February 2016
On Saturday, February 13, 2016, University of Dubai Alumni gathered at the new campus in Academic City to celebrate their long awaiting dream of having their own campus. Dr. Eesa Batsaki, UD president, attended the event and joined the celebration with UD provost, Deans and number of staff and faculty members. Bastaki said that “the long awaiting dream of having our own campus came true with the help of many caring people including Alumni. He added that Alumni were first to push for the completion of the campus because they care about existing students and their future. He promised the Alumni that UD will stick with “quality education” as its motto and continue with its plan to become #1 university in the country.” Read more.
7th Annual Alumni Homecoming Event at Palazzo Versace Hotel -  April 2016
University of Dubai Alumni Association organized the year’s biggest event the “7th Alumni Homecoming”. The event hosted Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for Higher Education Affairs, as a keynote speaker. He urged more than 300 Alumni from the University of Dubai to continue their efforts to enrich the education sector with new ideas and supply the work market with best human resources in the country. Dr. Al Falasi stated this while addressing the reunion event, which was attended by representatives from the public and private sectors.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Eesa M. Bastaki, President of University of Dubai, said: “University of Dubai, which prides itself for offering quality education, aims to make Dubai and UAE a hub of international education along with other quality universities in the country.” Read more.
To view the list of awardees, please click here.
UD adopts the Name “Dubai Business School” for its College of Business Administration
June 2016
University of Dubai adopted the name “Dubai Business School,” for its College of Business Administration.
“Naming the college Dubai Business School would definitely help us achieve our goals and establish a solid base for our future plans,” commented Mr. Shamsi in one of the UD Board of Trustees meetings.
According to Dr. Bastaki “the name Dubai will brand our business school locally and internationally and help us establish Dubai as an international hub for education”. “People are flocking to Dubai and UAE to live in peace and prosperity. Our job is to provide them with world class education,” Dr. Bastaki concluded.
Special thanks to our alumnus, Mr. Mohammed Shael, CEO, Business Development & Strategy at the Department of Economic Development (DED) for being instrumental in obtaining the approval of the “Dubai Business School” trade name reservation certificate. This monumental support from Mr. Shael reinforces our belief that UD alumni have been and they will always be UD strong assets. 
University of Dubai Grants 50% Scholarship
May 2016
University of Dubai has announced a unique scholarship plan offering 50% discount on tuition fees for undergraduate courses to outstanding national and international students scoring 90% and above in their high schools and who maintain a cumulative CGPA of 3.6 or above during their full-time study at University of Dubai. The plan will include also all transfer and international students.
Dr. Bastaki said the scheme is unique because it is open to all undergraduate students from local and international levels and does not limit the number of outstanding students who can benefit from the scholarship. He said: “When it comes to bright students, we all should pitch in to grant them the opportunity to learn and succeed.”
University of Dubai Launches Happiness and Positivity Program as First of Its Kind Initiative in the World – April 2016
The University of Dubai has unveiled a Happiness and Positivity Program as the first initiative of its kind in the world aimed at spreading happiness and positivity within its community. The announcement follows the UAE Cabinet endorsement of ‘Happiness and Positivity Charter’ recently.
Dr. Eesa M. Bastaki, President of the university said: “University of Dubai has committed itself to the call of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the UAE leaders to make our beloved country the happiest country in the world.” He added: “We believe that education, innovation, hard work, good ethics, charity, community service, positivity and other good deeds create happiness and not the other way around.” The alumni members who joined the program are Israa Shaheen, Maryam Al Bastaki and Obaid Al Falasi.

University of Dubai Alumni Association Raises More Than 400,000 Dirhams at Its 2nd Charity Suhoor - June 2016
Under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum and in collaboration with Beit Al Khair Society, the University of Dubai and its Alumni Association (UDAA), hosted its 2nd “Annual Charity Gala Suhoor” on June 22nd, 2016 at Burj Al Arab Hotel to raise funds during Ramadan, the month of giving, for meritorious students who are facing financial challenges.
The event was sponsored by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). It attracted 125 attendees from alumni, students, parents, prominent philanthropists and reputable organizations who generously contributed to this charity project such as Mr. Nasser Bin Abdullatif Al Serkal Group, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), Modern Printing Press, Trakhees, Mohammed Bin Rashed Housing Establishment, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation, Al Ansari Exchange and Ghantoot Transport and General Contracting Establishment. Read more.

Mr. Mikdadi’s Appointment As Inaugural Chairman, Future CEO Program Receives Full Endorsement from The CEO Institute – Aug 2016
The CEO Institute, Head Office in Melbourne, Australia, endorsed the University of Dubai’s appointment Mr. Ala Mikdadi, a faculty member at University of Dubai (UD), as the inaugural Chairman of its Future CEO program, recently launched at UD.
Mr. Mikaddi, UD alumnus, was the first business leader in UAE to be awarded the Certified CEO designation by The CEO Institute, the first global certification body for CEOs and senior executives.
“We aim to establish a reliable and reputable certification program to raise proficiency and professionalism at all leadership levels in UAE,” commented Mr. Mikdadi.
Commenting on Mr. Mikdadi’s selection, UD President Dr. Eesa Bastaki said: “I believe that Mr. Mikdadi’s appointment is a fruitful step toward a successful future for this program that is needed in UAE and GCC area in which high-profile positions can make a difference." To enroll in the program, please email us on amikdadi@ud.ac.ae; 

University of Dubai Alumni Association (UDAA) Board of Directors meetings
The University of Dubai Alumni Association (UDAA) is the official group for graduates of the University of Dubai (UD).  The UDAA is open to all graduates of the University, regardless of college, major or graduation year.  Membership is free; you only need to keep your personal information updated in with the Alumni Relations Office at UD in order to be invited to events and functions.
The activities and programs of the UDAA are overseen and supported by its Board of Directors, headed by Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum.  The Board is made up of 16 members and additional voluntary members who volunteer their time, effort and resources to serve the UD alumni community. To nominate yourself for the UDAA board, email us on amarzak@ud.ac.ae;
Discount offers for Alumni:
The following retailers provide special discounts for UD alumni*:
  1. Kaffa Beans Coffee Shop
  2. La Moda Sunglasses
  3. Dr. Thomas Dental Implant Clinic
*The discount can be availed only upon presentation of the Alumni membership card.
*To apply for new alumni membership card, send an email with your digital picture to falshaibani@ud.ac.ae; 
The ISIC Discount Card
University of Dubai (UD) has secured the deal of a complimentary discounts card – “The ISIC (International Student Identity Card)”.
ISIC is the only internationally recognized student Identity document in the world endorsed by the UNESCO.  Since its initiation in 1953, the ISIC has been providing students with access to specially developed student discounts across the globe.
As a UD alumni holder of ISIC card, you will have access to over 125.000 discounts on products and services available in 135 countries.
ISIC’s membership validity is 5 years period, starting from Sept. 2017 till Sept. 2022. The fees for the card is AED 75, exclusively for University of Dubai alumni.
For a complete list of local and international discounts, please visit ISIC website www.studentcard.ae or join ISIC Facebook at www.facebook.com/isic.ae
Class Notes
Alaa Homsi, Bachelor of HR Management, batch of 2014/2015, blessed with a baby boy Ghaith. Alaa is a full time mom now.
Rafah Rabba, Bachelor of Accounting, batch of 2013/2014, blessed with a baby girl called Joury. Rafah is working as Branch Compliant Coordinator in Invest Bank.
Samer Ibrahim Khezran, Bachelor of Management, batch of 2012/2013, blessed with baby boy Ibrahim. Samer is Export Officer at Gulf Flower Food Stuff.
Special thanks to our events’ contributors

    
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