As the only university in the Middle East and North Africa to align professional certificates with its academic degrees, the University of Dubai (UD) conducted a follow-up meeting on September 27, 2016 with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to discuss the distinctive pre-signed memorandum of understanding which concerns offering the SHRM Certified Professional Education courses at UD. The meeting was led by UD President Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki and attended by Executive Director at SHRM Mr. Brad Boyson in addition to UD staff and faculty. The meeting was geared toward promoting the relationship between UD and SHRM and analyzing the goals and objectives of the pre-sign agreement and the Certification Program. Dr. Al Bastaki, expressed his gratitude and pride for adopting an added value to UDís curriculum through a unique program that enables students to become professionals and academic achievers simultaneously. ìOur students would be happy to achieve both a degree along with a professional certificate upon their graduation,î stated Dr. Al Bastaki. Commenting on the agreement and UDís future strategic plans, Mr. Bosyson said: ìWe are thrilled to be involved in accomplishing UDís plans of blending both of the academics and practitioner elements.î ìI think you (UD) are leading the way for the region and not just Dubai because the academic and professional partnership is something that we all see as future,î he continued.