Dubai, December 18, 2014: University of Dubai (UD) has described the year gone by as a period of great achievements and major initiatives, which have helped enhance its position as one of the pioneering universities in the UAE. ìAs one of the leading higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates, the University of Dubai has made remarkable strides in 2014. The recent achievements reflect the success of the universityís sustained efforts to support the development of higher education in the UAE and the region,î said Dr. Eesa M. Al Bastaki, President of the university. The university highlighted its top 10 achievements as follows: 1-†In April, UD College of Business Administration became one of the 85 business schools which have extended their AACSB accreditation in business. AACSB International is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, masters and doctorate degrees in business and accounting.†The universityís Faculty of Information Technology has also extended its international accreditation ABET. 2-†In May, IBM and the University of Dubai announced a plan to establish a Smarter Cities Institute. The center has been conceptualized as a venue for businesses, universities and city-administrators to develop and test solutions for future urban demands and Smart City challenges. 3-†In May, the University announced the ground-breaking for its new premises located at Dubai Academic City. The ground-breaking ceremony took place in the presence of H.E. Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber. 4-†In May, the university celebrated its 12th graduation ceremony of 111 students at the Cultural and Scientific Association under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. 5-†In July, the University of Dubai Alumni Association organized a charity ‘Suhoor’ to support financially challenged students. The event which raised generous contributions helped many UD students continue their studies. The charity event was organized under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 6-†In August, UD launched its PhD program in Business Administration with 17 students in first batch of which 15 were Emiratis. 7-†In September, the university celebrated the awarding of the British Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM-UK) Level 5 and Level 7 programs, making it the first university in the Middle East to offer these certifications to its graduates of the Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, and MBA in Leadership & Human Resources Management. 8-†In November, the University of Dubai and San Diego State University announced a joint project to establish a Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (CEI). †CEI is a research, innovation and consultancy center that works in partnership with San Diego State University’s Center for Information Convergence & Strategy (CICS). The Center offers a platform for students, alumni, and faculty to network and develop their start-up ideas and support entrepreneurs through all steps of the entrepreneurial process. 9-†In December, the University announced that it has been ranked along with nine other universities from the UAE among the top 50 universities in the first QS University Rankings Arab Region report. 10-†In December, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), the accredited professional Human Resources organization in USA, acknowledged that University of Dubaiís BBA-HRM Program ìFully Aligns with SHRMís HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templatesî.† Throughout the world, only 365 programs have been acknowledged by SHRM as being in alignment with its suggested guides and Templates.