1.3.4 Does your university as a body have programs to assist students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group in the country to successfully complete their studies?

Personal Counselling

Creating and maintaining a healthy balance between your studies and personal life can be a stressful experience. We are here to guide you in navigating this journey, help you in overcoming challenges, gain perspective, build resilience, and attain your goals.

Students Benefits

What are some common concerns for which a student might seek guidance from a counsellor?

Stress
Perfectionism
Anxiety
Life Transitions
Anger
Healthy Relationships
Depression
Low Self-Esteem and/or Self-Efficacy
Loneliness
Grief and Loss
Time Management
Self Development
Motivation
Eating Disorders
Minority Concerns

Any other concerns hindering mental health and well-being

All sessions are strictly confidential.

Schools Benefits

What is involved in the process of counselling?

Your counsellor has professional expertise and training and is committed to identifying and tailoring the counselling approach to suit individual requirements, all the while being mindful of the multicultural environment. Our goal is to support you in maximizing your university experience and aiding you in striving to reach your optimum self.

The counselling process may involve the following steps:

Expect that your first meeting will involve an intake session or initial evaluation of your concerns, lasting approximately 20 minutes.
Personal counselling provides you with a secure, safe and non-judgmental environment to discuss, understand, and effectively handle your concerns.
While in a university setting short-term counselling is offered, referrals can be provided if further or long-term services are needed. (You can also refer to our CUDeals webpage for discounts offered by some external (off – campus) counselling service providers in Dubai.)
Book an appointment with your personal counsellor:

Ms. Simran Siddiqui

Student Counsellor

studentcounsellor@cud.ac.ae

+971 4 709 6292

CUD HUB building, office #104

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

Support for students with special needs

At Canadian University Dubai, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and safe learning environment for students of determination and students with disabilities. If you have a documented physical disability, psychological condition, learning difficulty, chronic illness, or other barrier to your learning, you are eligible for academic accommodations.

We work closely and in absolute confidentiality with students to accommodate their individual needs and ensure they have equal opportunities to reach their maximum potential. Academic accommodations can include but are not limited to, time limit extensions, assistive technology support, learning resources, and a distraction-reduced environment. These are handled on a case-by-case basis that takes into account the student’s unique needs and the course or program’s learning objectives.

Academic advising at CUD

The University holds orientation sessions at the beginning of each academic year, and all freshmen admitted to Canadian University Dubai programs are required to attend. Students should refer to the Academic Calendar to find the exact dates of orientation sessions.

During these sessions, students will have a chance to meet with the faculty, program coordinators, and University administrators, who will help them with the following:

Familiarize them with the credit system of education followed by Canadian University Dubai
Understand and become familiar with the degree requirements
Interpret test and placement scores
Clarify major and/or career options
Select appropriate courses to optimize their academic performances
Understand academic warnings and progression policies
Review the academic records of graduating students
Familiarize them with University services; Learning Resource Centre (LRC), information technology, laboratories, student services, student councils, etc.

For existing students who are achieving subpar results in a course or are not performing up to their expectations, a meeting with an advisor will be scheduled.

Professional Training

If you are looking to upgrade your professional skills, learn something new or gain a qualification to move up the career ladder, check our range of professional training options.

From creative and legal skills upgrade to financial management and certifications to data science and digital marketing to language training and business technology, our array of courses cater to all levels of interest and aspirations.

Learning at Canadian University Dubai will be an international academic experience guided by the highest standards in educational and corporate ethics. For more information, please contact us at: info@cud.ac.ae

Student Success Centre at CUD 

The purpose of the Student Success Center (SSC) is to guide and support you through your personal and academic journey at CUD. Visit the SSC to learn how to manage your time and stress, develop optimal note-taking strategies, understand assignments, improve your math skills, or enhance your English, reading, writing, grammar, and research skills.

Workshops that promote personal development and academic success are offered throughout the semester or upon request. These range from improving study skills, academic writing skills, and exam taking skills to building higher levels of confidence and reaching your academic goals.

The SSC is a place where you can receive personal and academic support, attend valuable workshops, work on your assignments, find resources, and prepare for exams. Academic success is about knowing the right strategies and having the right skills, and we’re here to help you succeed! For more information, email StudentSuccess@cud.ac.ae.

Canadian University Dubai promotes student happiness with Wellness Wednesdays

Student-led initiative inspires self-awareness and personal well-being

June 26th, 2023, Dubai, UAE: An initiative led by students at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is promoting a culture of happiness and positivity on campus, through a range of weekly activities that aim to inspire self-awareness, personal reflection, and mental and physical well-being. Led by the university’s student Wellness Society, the Wellness Wednesdays program encourages participants to focus on self-care amid the growing pressures young people are facing in daily life.

Bringing together students from across all four faculties, Wellness Wednesdays aims to raise awareness about mental health, while providing an outlet for participants to develop new skills and meet new people. Explaining the background to the initiative, President of the CUD Wellness Society, and Psychology student, Vaishnavi Varma said, “We noticed that when students returned to offline learning after the pandemic, many of them were struggling with making new friends and interacting with their peers, in addition to the usual study-related stresses of deadlines and exams.”

She continued, “We know that well-being can impact academic performance, so we wanted to do something to provide time-out for students to focus on themselves and to connect with one another. Wellness Wednesdays provides the opportunity for students to meet in a relaxed environment where they can socialize, collaborate, de-stress, and also support one another.”

The weekly gathering presents a diverse range of experiences for students to get involved in, from painting and candle-making to meditation and physical activities. The program works in partnership with other university societies to stage dedicated events around occasions such as Sports Week and Mental Health Awareness Month, and also collaborates with local businesses to help students connect with the community.

A regular at Wellness Wednesdays is student Yasmeen Khadri, who said, “The events are great to join because they provide me with a dedicated time for self-care and help to promote my overall well-being. I love to enjoy simple activities like painting and jewellery making, which help to reduce my stress and foster my personal growth. It’s a valuable opportunity for me to prioritize my wellness, connect with a supportive community, and engage in activities that bring me joy and relaxation.”

Speaking about the impact of the initiative, Vaishnavi said, “It has been fulfilling to see how students immerse themselves in the experiences and bring forward their own ideas for activities and opportunities to collaborate. It is also heartwarming to see students come along each week, build their confidence and create new friendships that might otherwise never have happened.”

Maryam Farahmand, Student Life Officer at CUD, concluded, “We know how important it is to dedicate time to well-being and relaxation, and the Wellness Society took the initiative to establish a weekly program that encourages and enables students to schedule this as a regular commitment. The fact that this is a student-led activity means we have seen a high level of engagement and excellent feedback on the positive impact this has for participants.”

Student Entrepreneur Turns Business Mentor for Annual Start-up Competition

November 9th, 2015: Following his winning performance at the 2014 Dubai Startup Weekend, 20 year-old Kazakh student, Abzal Assembekov, has this year returned as a mentor and sponsor for the grueling 54-hour business challenge.

Abzal, a Communications major at Canadian University Dubai (CUD), has emerged as one of the foremost success stories of the annual competition, having gone on to launch his own business within a year of participating in the event.

As the Founder and Managing Director of Dubai-based start-up, Heptagon Multimedia, Abzal was invited back to the Startup Weekend Bootcamp to share his experience and expertise with contenders in this year’s competition. His new venture, a digital agency that specializes in creating and developing successful online businesses in the Gulf region, also acted at an official sponsor of the exclusive mentoring event.

Having already sourced three investors for his new business and secured premises in Dubai Internet City, Abzal was well-placed to offer advice on the startup landscape in the UAE. He revealed, “This country is quite unique in its strong culture of networking, and entrepreneurs need to take every opportunity they can to make new contacts.

“The business environment is still maturing and there is a strong sense of collaboration. It’s much easier to connect with people here and they are very willing to share their experiences. I’ve found that even the most senior executives are open, accessible and happy to support new entrepreneurs.”

Abzal went on to guide participants on the sectors that show most entrepreneurial potential in the UAE, citing real estate, tourism, fashion and entertainment as those with big-business prospects in the future.

He said, “What’s important is to identify a clear niche in the market, while at the same time pursuing a business idea that you’re passionate about. It’s also essential to ensure that you have the appropriate skillset, or to partner with those who do.”

In addition to his mentoring, Abzal is also hoping to give back by creating opportunities for other young people, as he looks to expand his workforce to meet growing client demand. He said, “We need new talent to help develop the business and we’re hoping to be able to offer employment opportunities in programming, design and marketing, as well internships, to other students at CUD.”

CUD Students Take on Global Leadership Challenge

April 20th, 2015: The challenges posed by city sprawl were the subject of an intensive week of debate and action planning for a group of students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) who took part in a recent event to introduce young people to the principles and practices of leading change in global society.

The Global Leader Experience, led by UK-based leadership development organization, Common Purpose, was hosted by DP World and brought together university students from across the UAE in an invaluable experience that saw them receive guidance and mentoring from leading business executives as they worked through the four-day challenge.

Members of the CUD delegation, which included Finance and Accounting student Adnan Marei, and Bachelor of Science in Telecommunication major, George Bandak, were first assigned to groups, where they were then introduced to the project brief.

Adnan explained, “Our challenge was to consider a global problem – city sprawl – from a local perspective. We had to look at our own environment, local businesses, transport and service providers, and come up with solutions that could be implemented to deal with the issue here in Dubai.”

George continued, “The process allowed us to undertake emersion visits, to meet with some of the key organizations who would be involved in addressing the challenges, such as the RTA and metro operators Cerco, to discuss the main issues and potential solutions.”

Throughout the process the students benefitted from the mentoring expertise of senior business executives from private sector organizations, who shared their expertise in a range of areas including investment, operations, HR, media and business development. The teams were also supported by academic mentors and were guided in the development of their solutions by representatives from host organization, DP World.

Both Adnan and George took the opportunity to lead their teams in stakeholder discussions, and by day four, the groups had worked up sets of recommendations proposing concepts ranging from integrated transport systems and greenbelt development, to the creation of self-sufficient comminutes supported by remote services such as distance learning and online shopping.

CUD Business School Professor, Jeanette Teh, was one of the academic mentors for the program. She said, “The interaction with and receiving feedback on their ideas from business professionals, many of whom were high-level executives, from diverse industries was an unparalleled learning experience for our students.”

For Adnan, it was an extremely challenging but rewarding four days. He said, “The process pushed us to our limits on a daily basis; it has helped me progress as a leader, as well as developing my skills in presentation, critical-thinking and relationship building.”

Speaking of his own reflections on the event, George concluded, “This program was an extremely valuable lesson in leadership. I learnt that leading is not about speaking for your team members, but about supporting each of them to bring forward their ideas and uniting them in a common direction.”

On graduating from the program, the CUD participants joined a 50,000 strong worldwide alumni association, and gained access to the Common Purpose Massive Online Innovation Community – an international platform allowing them to connect with likeminded people across the globe.

Welcome to Your First Year Experience at Canadian University Dubai!

The first year of university is a time of discovery and growth. CUD’s First Year Experience (FYE) program is designed to help you make a smooth transition to university life.

The FYE program creates a supportive community for new students as they transition to campus life. It involves engaging in activities to promote personal and academic growth, navigate resources, form connections, and focus on well-being.

Benefits of the FYE Program:

Build friendships and experience a feeling of belonging at CUD.
Join a supportive environment, making the transition to university life easier.
Discover university resources and departmental services to support your journey.

First-year mentorship:

Starting your university journey is exciting and can also bring new challenges, which is why we’ve established a mentorship program. Led by an upper-year student, this program guides first-year students through various activities and directs them toward available campus resources.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to our FYE team at firstyear@cud.ac.ae.

Click here to view the First Year Student Guide

Engineering Welcome Day 2021

Thursday, September 30, 2021: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) welcomed new students from the Faculty of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology to our City Walk Campus for our annual Engineering Welcome Day.

Each year, the event is held to help new students understand the nature of the University, the educational opportunities available to them, the values and functions of the CUD community, and the objective of our academic institution as they begin to embark on a new educational experience with us.

Well wishes were extended by Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, Chancellor, Canadian University Dubai, and Dr. Sherif Moussa, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology.

Dr. Sherif advised the students to take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities at the recently opened City Walk campus, enjoy student life at CUD, and consider the extracurricular activities available to them. By maintaining an appropriate balance between these commitments (activities and course work), students will be able to achieve higher results. They will improve their knowledge and skillset, and be better prepared for success both inside and outside of the classroom.

Students also enjoyed a robotics demonstration, several ice-breaker activities, and were introduced to some of CUD’s student societies including: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Robotics, and Cybersecurity.

The Faculty of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology at CUD provides an outstanding range of dynamic, technology-driven programs based on a Canadian curriculum and education principles. Our diverse faculty ensures that students experience excellence in instruction, building a creative portfolio that positions them well for success in challenging and rewarding roles pertaining to their respective industries.

Canadian University Dubai hosts first Enrolment Week

Sunday, August 22, 2021: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is hosting our first Enrolment Week from August 22 to August 28 at our recently expanded City Walk campus.

With the goal of introducing prospective students to our University and helping them prepare for Fall 2021 Semester starting August 29, Enrolment Week will provide a smooth transition into the new academic year, guiding them through the application and registration processes to ensure they are positioned well for success as they begin their higher education.

Commenting on the event, Dr. Rami El Khatib, Vice President Student Affairs, Canadian University Dubai, said: “Enrolment Week is an initiative that has been implemented by Canadian University Dubai to integrate a proper transition process for prospective students while adhering to the Covid-19 protocols. This event will enable us to respond to the needs of our University community by providing further flexibility in our approach, carrying on with the necessary proceedings leading up to the beginning of the Fall 2021 Semester.”

Throughout the duration of Enrolment Week, prospective students and their families will be greeted by alumni, current students, and faculty members where they can learn about our 40+ accredited programs and concentrations, gain insight into our transfer to Canada options, and take a guided tour of our City Walk campus. Students interested in the MBA and MITGOV programs can also take advantage of our on-spot interview process.

Student Enrolment Advisors will be present to share how students can avail up to 60% in scholarships and fee reductions. They will also be on hand with the Student Services team to assist with joining formalities and to support students and their families throughout the course of the week and as classes begin.

Those who would like to attend the six-day event can register for a specific time slot by visiting our website. In accordance with our COVID-19 protocols, social distancing guidelines will be followed.

Positioned in the top 2% of universities worldwide and top 4 in the UAE according to the QS World University Rankings 2022, Canadian University Dubai continues to pave the way for quality education in the UAE, hosting numerous open house events both virtually and in-person to meet the needs of the community.

Scholarships at Canadian University Dubai

At Canadian University Dubai, we pride ourselves on our commitment to providing a quality, Canadian education for all. We understand the importance of difference and diversity, and we do not want financial limitations or special needs to get in the way of your enrollment. To alleviate some of this concern and to reward high academic achievers, CUD offers the following scholarships:

Disclaimer:

All statements in this publication concerning requirements, amounts, conditions or other matters are for informational purposes only and are subject to change without notice.

Undergraduate

Academic Excellence Scholarship

Overall Terms and Conditions

To be considered eligible for the Academic Excellence Scholarship, students need to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Scholarships awarded for the fall semester are valid for one year, provided that the CGPA is maintained as per the information below and provided the student registers for at least 12 credit hours per semester.
Scholarships awarded for the spring semester are valid for one semester only.
Deadlines for the fall semester (July 7th) and spring semester (December 20th) must be met.
Scholarships do not apply for summer semesters.
Applicants must email their scholarship application forms along with all supporting documentation to scholarship@cud.ac.ae by July 7th (fall intake) or December 20th (spring intake).
Late or incomplete scholarship applications will not be considered by the scholarship committee
Academic Excellence Scholarship Allocations

50% tuition waiver

High school students need to have attained an academic average of 99%* or above to apply for a 50% tuition waiver.
For current CUD students renewing their scholarship, the semester CGPA at the conclusion of the semester must be 3.98 or higher to continue receiving a 50% tuition waiver.

40% tuition waiver

High school students need to have attained an academic average of between 95 – 98.9%* to apply for a 40% tuition waiver.
For current CUD students renewing their scholarship, the semester CGPA at the conclusion of the semester must be between 3.95 – 3.97 to continue receiving a 40% tuition waiver.

30% tuition waiver

High school students need to have attained an academic average of between 90 – 94.9%* to apply for a 30% tuition waiver.
For current CUD students renewing their scholarship, the semester CGPA at the conclusion of the semester must be between 3.9 – 3.94 to continue receiving a 30% tuition waiver.

20% tuition waiver

High school students need to have attained an academic average of between 85 – 89.9%* to apply for a 20% tuition waiver.
For current CUD students renewing their scholarship, the semester CGPA at the conclusion of the semester must be between 3.85 – 3.89 to continue receiving a 20% tuition waiver.

10% tuition waiver (returning students only)

High school students who were granted an automatic 20% tuition waiver for their first semester at CUD and have maintained a 3.8 – 3.84 CGPA, may be eligible for a 10% tuition waiver on the subsequent semester.

Sports Scholarship

This scholarship is meant for elite and talented athletes from any sport who have competed and achieved success at least at a city level. Sports Scholarships are awarded based on the applicant’s sports achievement level and their academic performance. A tuition waiver of up to 40% can be applied accordingly.

Overall Terms and Conditions

Sports Scholarships are valid for one semester only.
Students can reapply each semester to continue their scholarship.
Deadlines for the fall semester (July 7th) and spring semester (December 20th) must be met
Sports Scholarships do not apply for summer semesters.
For high school applicants to be eligible, they must have a minimum academic achievement of 70%.
Returning students are required to achieve a minimum of a 3.0 CGPA to be eligible to apply/ reapply for the Sports Scholarship.
Successful applicants will be required to support the sports department in different events and will be required to contribute up to 15 hours per month of community service as part of their commitment to the University.

Applications for the Sports Scholarship must include:

Completed application form
Brief bio including relevant sport accomplishments
Scanned copies of references from the applicant’s coach and/or PE teacher on institutional letterhead
Scanned copies of certificates relevant to the sport the applicant is applying for
The Guiding Principles for Canadian University Dubai scholarships must be met.

Financial Hardship Scholarship

The objective of these scholarships is to promote access to higher education to students facing financial hardship. A tuition waiver of up-to 40% can be applied as evaluated on a case-by-case basis

Overall Terms and Conditions

Financial Hardship Scholarships are valid for one semester only.
Students can reapply each semester to continue their scholarship.
Deadlines for the fall semester (July 7th) and spring semester (December 20th) must be met.
Financial Hardship Scholarships do not apply for summer semesters
For high school applicants to be eligible, they must have a minimum academic achievement of 75%.
Returning students are required to achieve a minimum of a 2.8 CGPA to be eligible to apply/ reapply for the Financial Hardship Scholarship.
Successful applicants will be required to contribute up to 15 hours per month of community service as part of their commitment to the University.

Applications for the Financial Hardship Scholarship must include:

Completed application form
Current rental contract
Bank statements
Employee certificate and salary statement for each employed family member
Copy of passport and visa for all working family members (or both parents)
Certificates of educational tuition fees for each sibling
All documentation will be kept confidential. Any application with incomplete documentation cannot be considered by the scholarship committee when awarding the Financial Hardship Scholarships.
The Guiding Principles for Canadian University Dubai scholarships must be met.

Special Needs Scholarship

We at Canadian University Dubai pledge to provide an inclusive learning environment and to support the cognitive, emotional and creative development of students with disabilities. Special needs may be justified by physical or other disabilities.

Students eligible for a Special Needs Scholarship will benefit from a tuition reduction of up to 40%.

Overall Terms and Conditions

For students applying for the Special Needs Scholarship at the point of admission to the University, the academic average will be considered by the scholarship committee on a case-by-case basis.
For current students, a minimum CGPA of 2.0 is required to be eligible to apply for the scholarship.
Deadlines for the fall semester (July 7th) and spring semester (December 20th) must be met.
Special Needs Scholarships do not apply for summer semesters.
Students are required to provide an up-to-date professionally documented diagnosis that will be kept confidentially.
The scholarship application is reviewed by and subject to the scholarship committee’s discretion.
The Guiding Principles for Canadian University Dubai scholarships must be met.

Special Talent Scholarship

This scholarship is meant for elite and talented individuals from any field who have competed and achieved success at a city level or beyond. Special Talent Scholarships are awarded based on the applicant’s achievement level and their academic performance. A tuition waiver of up to 40% can be applied accordingly.

Overall Terms and Conditions

Special Talent Scholarships are valid for one semester only.
Students can reapply each semester to continue their scholarship.
Deadlines for the fall semester (July 7th) and spring semester (December 20th) must be met.
Special Talent Scholarships do not apply for summer semesters.
For high school applicants to be eligible, they must have a minimum academic achievement of 70%.
Returning students are required to achieve a minimum of a 3.0 CGPA to be eligible to apply/ reapply for the Special Talent Scholarship.
Successful applicants will be required to contribute up to 15 hours per month of community service as part of their commitment to the University.
Applications for the Special Talent Scholarship must include:
Completed application form
Documents supporting accomplishment within the applicant’s talent field
Certificates relevant to the applicant’s talent
Recommendations from teachers, trainers or professionals from within the applicant’s talent field
The Guiding Principles for Canadian University Dubai scholarships must be met.

CUD Announces Canada Day Scholarships at Business Council Event

June 6th, 2016: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has announced the launch of its fourth annual Canada Day scholarship awards at a recent event to celebrate the country’s national day, organized by the Canadian Business Council in Dubai.

Established in partnership with the Canadian Embassy, the awards offer the opportunity for students from any nationality, who intend to start at CUD and then move to Canada for higher education, to obtain a 100% tuition fee scholarship for their first year of studies (terms and conditions apply). The initiative has run annually since 2013, to coincide with Canada’s national day on 1st July.

This year’s scholarships were announced by Mr. Brian Banford, Executive Director of Community Outreach and Corporate Relationships, at a gathering convened by the Canadian Business Council to mark the early celebrations for Canada Day 2016. Hosted in collaboration with CUD, Dubai Expat Canadians, and Canadian Alumni in the UAE, the event was also attended by Canadian Consul General, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Kamarianakis.

Speaking during the celebrations, H.E. Mr. Kamarianakis said, “We are now in our 149th year and we are getting ready for the 150th year of Canada. We have set out an agenda moving forward which includes focusing on our diverse and multicultural societies, focusing on our first nations society, focusing on our youth, growing our economy and growing our society.”

CUD aims to align with this agenda through the Canada Day scholarship; to promote the development of young people and to act as an enabler in their contribution to the advancement of wider society. As well as celebrating the University’s bonds with Canada, the scholarships promote the shared values of cultural diversity, academic excellence and global citizenship.

This year’s scholarships will support two students to embark upon an accredited degree program at CUD starting in September 2016.

To apply, please write to scholarship@cud.ac.ae with the following documents:

Your passport
Your high school transcript
A 300 words personal statement that clearly expresses your intent to start at Canadian University Dubai and then move to Canada for higher education.

Last day to receive applications: Monday, 1st August, 2016

Academic advising at CUD

During these sessions, students will have a chance to meet with the faculty, program coordinators, and University administrators, who will help them with the following:

Familiarize them with the credit system of education followed by Canadian University Dubai
Understand and become familiar with the degree requirements
Interpret test and placement scores
Clarify major and/or career options
Select appropriate courses to optimize their academic performances
Understand academic warnings and progression policies
Review the academic records of graduating students
Familiarize them with University services; Learning Resource Centre (LRC), information technology, laboratories, student services, student councils, etc.
For existing students who are achieving subpar results in a course or are not performing up to their expectations, a meeting with an advisor will be scheduled.

CUD Professor Gains Further Recognition

In addition to her nomination for “Best Academic Professor Award” by the Association of Scientists, Developers and Faculties (ASDF), Dr. Franziska Apprich has also been recognized as an “Outstanding Scientist” by the Venus International Foundation, an organization devoted to celebrating creative minds in the world and which recognizes qualified and highly cited research professionals, committed to finding solutions to the daunting challenges faced in an ever changing world.

This award was established in 2015 to recognize contribution to fundamental discoveries, new theories, or Insights which have had an impact on Dr. Fran’s discipline and beyond.

To achieve the Award Dr. Fran was required to be recognized and documented with corresponding successes in research including grants, patents, collaboration with industries/institutions, contracts and publications (articles and books).

Dr. Fran attributed the success of achieving the award to her pioneering work in the field of Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) a method to overcome exam anxiety; using gaming platforms as part of learning; implementation of artificial intelligence as part of classroom learning; identifying space awareness and space creative commercial opportunities; using social entrepreneurship and employing stimulation of all five senses as part of her teaching methods. The latter includes a proposal for Expo2020 for the creation of an “all senses class-room chair” in collaboration with her students. This chair will stimulate students via seeing, hearing, touching, tasting and smelling; often overcoming problems encountered by different types of learners and incorporating special needs stimuli to succeed. “We all are talented…we just need to find access to these talents and bring them all together.

Dr. Fran has also published and researched “the benefits of an education of the heart’”; as Aristotle claimed: “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all”.

“We need to care for our students and inspire them, mentoring rather than teaching, stimulating rather than grading and believing in our students rather than seeing them as a number. To be a professor is a privilege, a huge responsibility and a good professor can change the world for the better.”

AED 10 Million in scholarships

Canadian University Dubai and GEMS Education have announced a partnership that will offer scholarships exclusively to GEMS Education students. The value of the scholarships is AED10 million.

GEMS Education students who study at Canadian University Dubai will be able to study both at the Dubai and Canadian campuses. Choosing to study in Canada will offer a unique career boost for students, as the country offers a path to citizenship once an international student earns a post-secondary degree from a Canadian university.

All GEMS Education students will be granted a 15% scholarship to undergraduate programs over and above CUD scholarships*
All children of GEMS Education employees will be granted a 20% scholarship on undergraduate programs*
CUD will provide 4 annual scholarships to GEMS Education students going from 40% to 100%**

GEMS Education, Canadian University Dubai Announce Scholarships Worth Dh10 Million

GEMS Education and Canadian University Dubai have announced a partnership that will offer scholarships exclusively to GEMS students. The value of the scholarships is AED10 million.

Starting this academic year 2018-2019, Canadian University Dubai will offer a series of scholarships exclusively for GEMS students. Scholarship amounts will vary depending on course of study and the academic merit of GEMS students.

GEMS students who study at Canadian University Dubai will be able to study both at the Dubai and Canadian campuses. Choosing to study in Canada will offer a unique career boost for students, as the country offers a path to citizenship once an international student earns a post-secondary degree from a Canadian university.

GEMS announced the launch of the UniConnect programme last year. The programme is set to include a series of strategic partnerships designed to provide scholarships and financial aid to GEMS students seeking admission at universities within the region and across the globe.

This first partnership with Canadian University Dubai also provides for dedicated career training for GEMS students.

Dr. Karim Chelli, President of Canadian University Dubai, said: “This partnership with GEMS Education illustrates our deep commitment to ensuring a transformational education experience for our students. We also recognise that strong relationships with partners such as GEMS Education enable us to build and shape future leaders.”

Dino Varkey, CEO of GEMS Education, said: “We are proud to announce Canadian University Dubai as our first partner with UniConnect. We look forward to partnering with many more universities in the UAE and internationally – including the Ivy League – as part of our commitment to making quality education accessible for all our students throughout their schooling and beyond.”

Buti Al Ghandi, Chancellor of Canadian University Dubai, commented: “Canadian University Dubai is a locally and regionally ranked, student-centred research university with a global perspective. Our students benefit from the extensive group of partnerships we have with prestigious Canadian Universities across Canada – making us the only university in the region to offer a clear path towards a Canadian Education.”

CUD President Presents Canadian Perspectives in Learning at World Education Summit

March 28th, 2016: President and Vice Chancellor of Canadian University Dubai, Pr. Karim Chelli, has been sharing his expert insights into the Canadian system of higher education at the sixth annual World Education Summit, held recently in Dubai.

Speaking under the theme ‘Learning from the Big Four global education destinations’, Pr. Chelli shared his experience of working across a number of academic institutions in Canada, a country that is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading nations in the higher education ecosystem.

Pr. Chelli’s prepared address focused on the key elements that define Canadian higher education, including the regulatory, legislative and quality assurance frameworks that set the standards for the system.

His presentation to the audience of senior policy makers and practitioners ultimately concentrated on the factors that distinguish Canadian higher education on the international stage, including how the methodology for learning validation is central to the success of graduates of the Canadian system.

Pr. Chelli said, “The Canadian model is built upon outputs, rather than inputs. Learning outcomes are the backbone of the system, meaning that students must demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge, skills and competencies against a verified matrix.

“Graduates are therefore better equipped for employment as job-related capabilities have already been assessed during their higher education. This system supports validation and accountability, and with the harmonization of learning outcomes, promotes recognition, advancement and lifelong learning.”

Pr. Chelli was among a lineup of distinguished speakers invited to address the Summit, which brought together government officials and senior representatives from top institutions to exchange ideas on the future of global higher education.

Canadian University of Dubai Represented at Strategic Conference on Higher Education

Dr. Hakim Khaili, Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Dr. Kathy O’Sullivan, Executive Director of Student Affairs, have represented Canadian University Dubai at a strategic workshop on higher education held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The workshop, held at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University in Dubai, was part of the Coordination Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research initiative to bring universities together to work on strategies to promote student retention in higher education institutions in the UAE.

The causes of dropout of students from Government or private higher education were discussed, taking into account the results of the recent survey conducted by a joint team of the Ministry of Higher Education and educational institutions. The workshop participants, drawn from a number of universities across the UAE, worked in different groups and took the opportunity to present their strategic recommendations to His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.