Alumni Newsletter, Volume 11, Issue 1 - December 2019
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I would like to extend my sincere wishes to you all at the beginning of the New Year 2020!
I hope you are enjoying the holidays, especially with this nice weather.
I am so delighted that you are part of our amazing UD community. I welcome and value your positive energy and feedback on our served events and programs.
Each year brings positive change. This includes a few changes to the department’s structure. The Student & Alumni Affairs Department (SAA), is currently split into two departments, The Department of Student Services (DSS), headed by Mr. Haitham Al Maaini and Internship & Career Development Center and Alumni Relations Affairs, headed by Ms. Amina El Marzak.
This split in the departments will lead to more focus on the main events and programs of each department, which will eventually lead to more quality events and programs.
I take this opportunity to thank all of you for the great contributions made this year. I'm also looking forward to new members from alumni to join the UD Alumni Association Board.
I wish you all a Happy & Wonderful New Year 2020!
UD Alumni Association’ President,
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum
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What is in this Issue?
1- SAA, The Department of the Year Award.
2- UD Alumni Association's Board of Directors' nomination
3- 16th Graduation Ceremony
4- 4th Annual Charity Gala Suhoor event review
5- Alumni-Student Mentoring Program
6- Financial Aid
7- SAA split into two units
8- CED courses
9- Class notes
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The Best Department Award 2017-18: Department of Student & Alumni Affairs
Last year, The University of Dubai (UD), initiated the Best Department Award to acknowledge the achievement, innovation, initiatives, and creative activities of the departments. On its first edition, The Student & Alumni Affairs Department (SAA) won the Best Department Award for 2017-18. Congratulations!
The awarding ceremony was held at UD campus in February 2019. Dr. Eesa Bastaki, UD President, presented the award to the SAA team members. The ceremony was attended by COO Dr. Nasser Al Muraqqab, Provost Dr. Geoffrey Gachino, and UD's staff and faculty.
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Interested in serving the UD community? Join the UD Alumni Association Board for 2019-2020
UD Alumni who want to contribute in a meaningful way to the UD community, have an opportunity to apply to become a member of the Alumni Association (UDAA) Board of Directors. The Board plays a vital role in supporting the university programs, students and connecting Alumni.
What we are looking for in the new joiners are:
- A desire to share their expertise and talents to advance the goals of the Alumni Association.
- Ability to invest their time and efforts to support UD Alumni Association’s future goals and plans.
- Attending UDAA events and activities.
- Willing to support UD Alumni Funds Raising activities.
- Are connected with other alumni and/or can otherwise influence involvement with UD.
In the selection process, the committee will consider the above points as well as the overall make-up of the board, including a balanced representation from a wide demographic of Alumni.
To nominate yourself or other alumni, please fill in the following online application http://bit.ly/2isW79t
maximum by January 30th, 2020.
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Celebrating the UD's 16th Graduation Ceremony and 2nd Batch of Ph.D. - May 2nd, 2019
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the University of Dubai (UD) held its 16th Graduation Ceremony within which more than 180 students have received their official certificate of completion from bachelor’s, masters and Ph.D. programs.
HE Mohammed Ahmed Al Murr, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library, handed over the certificates to the graduates of 2019 in the Year of Tolerance for obtaining their degrees in Business, Electrical Engineering, and Information Technology. The ceremony was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai.
HE Majid Hamad Al Shamsi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of UD, delivered a welcoming speech to the attendees as well as the alumni, students, staff, and faculty members of UD.
Dr. Suhail al-Bastaki, a UD graduate of the doctoral program, gave a speech in which he thanked the faculty for its dedication to providing academic services.
Hussain Al Ansari, an MBA graduate said: "UD did not only provide me with higher education but also with non-academic professional capabilities and a deeper understanding of worldwide issues”. Read more.
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4th Annual Charity Gala Suhoor 2019
Organized by the University of Dubai Alumni Association in cooperation with Beit Al Khair Society, and sponsored by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), the donations totaled 500,000 dirhams to support the financially challenged students of different nationalities.
The University organized the ceremony under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, President of the Alumni Association, with the support of DEWA and a number of government and private institutions.
Dr. Eesa Bastaki, President of the University, congratulated the audience on the blessed month of Ramadan and he appealed to all to contribute to overcoming the difficulties of students who are financially troubled in order to complete their studies and start their career.
He thanked the sponsors of the ceremony and said: “The aim of the Alumni Association is to support Education”.
For his part, Abdeen Taher Al-Awadhi, Director General of Beit Al-Khair Association, said: "Education was and still is the way of the renaissance & development. This initiative, which is organized by the university, reflects the vision of the UAE leadership."
The event was held in Intercontinental Festival City Dubai, on May 21st, 2019.
For donations, please email us on alumni@ud.ac.ae
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Alumni-Student Mentoring Program 2018-2019
The mentoring program is designed to increase and enhance students' academic performance and to create a sense of belonging at the university. To facilitate this process, we pair freshmen students with successful alumni. However, if mentor and mentee pairings are incompatible, students can be reassigned. Meetings are conducted regularly with mentors throughout the semester.
This year we had 8 pairs and 3 trios, which totals 25 participants in this program. Read more.
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Financial Aid
UD Alumni Association Granted AED 212,086 for Financially Disadvantaged Students
The Alumni & Friends of UD Scholarship Fund (AFUDSF) announced that they granted AED 212,086 for financially disadvantaged 16 students and 1 graduate. This amount helped them to cover some of their tuition fees and graduate to pursue their future careers.
Ms. Amina El Marzak, Director of Internship & Career Development Center and Alumni Relations Affairs Department said that the amount was part of the proceeds gathered from former Charity Gala Suhoor through the contribution of UD friends and alumni who generously supported financially disadvantaged students. She added that the University will continue to support those students who are doing well in their studies but facing financial difficulties to pay for their course fees. Terms and Conditions apply.
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Student & Alumni Affairs (SAA) Split into two departments
After 9 years of being under one big umbrella of 'Student & Alumni Affairs SAA", finally the department was split back into two departments, The Department of Student Services DSS (including Health Center) and The Internship & Career Development Center (ICDC) & Alumni Relations Office. DSS along with Health Center will be managed by Mr. Haitham Al Maaini and the ICDC & Alumni Relations will be managed by Ms. Amina El Marzak.
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Center for Executive Development (CED)
Is happy to announce a special discount of 30% for all UD Alumni.
List of current courses being offered:
| Course Name |
Start Date |
Duration |
| Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing |
January 21st, 2020 |
3 Months |
| Professional Diploma in HRM |
January 22nd, 2020 |
3 Months |
| Professional Diploma in Big Data |
January 27th, 2020 |
3 Months |
| Global Master Certificate in Integrated Supply Chain |
February 1st, 2020 |
6 Months |
| Global Master Certificate in Business Analytics |
February 1st, 2020
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6 Months |
| Professional Diploma in Ecommerce |
February 10th, 2020
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3 Months |
| SHRM – Certificate prep Course for HR |
February 15th, 2020
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3 Months |
| CIPS – L4 Diploma in Procurement & Supply |
February 2020
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3 Months |
For further information kindly contact the Centre for Executive Development (CED) on 04 5566977 or email them at ced@ud.ac.ae
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Sultan Al Masri is a Business Management graduate, the batch of 2014, founded a platform called “Acquico”. Acquico is an investor marketplace for early-stage and startup venture opportunities.
https://acquico.com/
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Suhail Salem AlKaabi, a Business Management graduate, the batch of 2006/2007, and UD Alumni Association board member, won the membership of The Consultative Council of Sharjah. https://www.ccsharjah.gov.ae/
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Peace Summit 2018
UD Alumni, Mohammed S. Shoshaa (BBA BMNG, 2016) and Ahmad Elatik (BBA BMRK 2016) attended The Inaugural Peace Summit of Emerging Leaders, which was held at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand on November 2018. A total of 347 delegates from 46 countries attended the summit.
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UD Alumnus, Alumni Association Board Member and Board member in Happiness Club at UD, participated in organizing the Flowermen Festival in Saudia Arabia. Obaid was recognized and praised for his work at the festival.
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Ahmed Mohammed Sufyan, a graduate of Computing and Information Systems, Batch 2015/2016.
Was awarded by HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors – RTA, in the category of RTA Ideal Manager 2018.
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Three sisters, Amal, Muna and Huda, graduates of Business Management and Finance, batch of 2011, were inspired by informative blogs that share knowledge and science about lifestyle inspirations, books, food & nutrition, skincare & beauty, and home decor. So they started their own blog on December 2018, and it got good reviews and many followers. The blog is in Arabic and is based in Turkey. The Orchidful lifestyle objective is to empower women and inspire them to live a better simple life.
Facts & figures: Orchidfulifestyle has 200 subscribers on youtube, 477 Twitter followers, 312 Instagram followers, and 859 facebook followers.
https://orchidfulifestyle.com/
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Ms. Amina El Marzak, Director of Internship & Career Development Center (ICDC) and The Alumni Relations Affairs, completed her master's degree in Global Management from Swiss Business School. Her colleagues threw a surprise party for her. Congratulations Amina.
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UD Alumna Israa Shaheen, a holder of master degree in Human Resource Management & Leadership, changed her career path to a certified trainer and coach. Her specialty is in Business Etiquette and International Protocol. Watch her latest video about the Social Etiquette on Al Sharqiya TV. Check out the video: https://youtu.be/FnEXOI3aJDY
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