4.3.2 Does your university as a body host events at university that are open to the general public: public lectures, community educational events?
CUD Empowers High School Students with a 3-day Summer Camp | Inspiring Education for the Community
July 8th – 10th, 2023, City Walk, Dubai, UAE: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) hosted its first 3-day Summer Camp at its expanded campus in City Walk. The Summer Camp was exclusively designed for high school students, aligning with CUD’s commitment to driving education within the community. The Summer Camp offered an interactive learning setting, facilitating six practical workshops for the students to actively participate in.
Speaking about CUD’s Summer Camp, Dr. Rami El Khatib, Dean of Student Affairs, said: “Empowering our community with creative and dynamic workshops inspires a world of possibilities through education. It is an honour for CUD to host our first Summer Camp for high school students at our expanded campus in City Walk.”
The Magic of Animation Workshop facilitated the high school students to explore the captivating world of animation and bringing characters to life. The students learned the importance of storytelling, character development, movement, and timing in animation. They practically applied their drawing skills to animated designs. Speaking about the workshop, Mr. Fadi Waked, CUD’s Graphic Designer, said: “The transformative power of creativity and the unlimited potential of young minds brings imagination to life. The high school students had fun finding their unique creative voices in this project.”
The Computer Science AppLab Workshop facilitated the high school students to gain the skills to build captivating mobile apps, through the basics of Flutter and the creation of visually appealing user interfaces through practical projects. Speaking about the workshop, Mr. Adel Yousefi, CUD’s alumni, shared: “During the workshop, the high school students created their own application and explored diverse coding techniques. Their genuine love for what they were doing echoes Steve Jobs’ famous quote: ‘The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
The students in the Business Workshop learned success strategies for entrepreneurs, brainstormed innovative ideas and explored skills in strategic planning and effective marketing. Mrs. Gayatri Nair, the Teaching Assistant of CUD’s Department of Creative Industries, emphasized the importance of unlocking one’s potential and building knowledge. She encouraged students to explore their passions and navigate through challenges to pursue successful endeavours: “Gaining an insight about one’s passion helps unlock their true potential and lays a foundation to build knowledge and capabilities.”
The Psychology Workshop introduced the diverse aspects of the field, its themes, and the extraordinary depths of the brain. The workshop delivered an insightful session, sparking discussions about the forces that shape individuality and the interplay between nature and nurture. The students explored the significance of understanding human behaviour, emotions and cognition, and examined the meaningful connection to the development of skills, knowledge, and attitudes. The workshop concluded with the students actively assessing and showcasing a specific quality that they considered essential as aspiring professionals.
The Mechatronics RoboXperience Workshop explored the exciting world of robots. This comprehensive program covered robot fundamentals, programming, and problem-solving strategies. Students assembled robots, tackled engaging challenges, and learned to program the robots effectively. By the end of the workshop, the students gained a deep understanding of robotics.
The Architecture & Interior Design Workshop inspired high school students to journey through their creativity. The workshop was designed for students who have a passion for envisioning beautiful structures & transforming spaces. Engaging discussions took place about design aesthetics, architectural principles, and sustainable practices. Dr. Maha Salman, Head of CUD’s School of Architecture and Design Department, spoke about the workshop: “Through teamwork and a passion for innovation, the students are shaping a future where their creative structures become the stepping stones for a world transformed. Their dedication inspires us to believe in the limitless potential of the next generation to build a better tomorrow.”
Through six practical workshops, including Animation, Computer Science AppLab, Business, Psychology, Mechatronics RoboXperience, and Architecture & Interior Design, the students participated in innovative and interactive learning experiences. CUD eagerly looks forward to future Summer Camps, continuing to promote education and providing opportunities for high school students to participate in exciting and educational workshops.
Over 30 Businesses Participate in CUD’s Annual Career Fair to Inspire Students’ Career Exploration
Dubai, March 16th, 2023: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) organized and hosted the annual ‘Industry Career Fair & Networking Event’, which welcomed over 30 national and international organizations. The event’s primary objective was to facilitate meaningful interactions and exchanges between CUD’s students, graduates and potential employers. The fair showcased various employment, part-time work, and internship opportunities available to both current students and graduates.
Leading up to the ‘Industry Career Fair and Networking Event’, students received guidance on how to interact and engage with prospective employers. These mini precursor sessions included topics: How to present well by dressing professionally and making a positive first impression, conducting thorough research about the targeted company, devising a distinctive and professional approach to stand out to the employers, and how to expand professional networks through LinkedIn.
This year’s attendance to the ‘Industry Career Fair & Networking Event’ was a clear indication of the UAE’s thriving employment market, particularly for graduate-level positions. Over 300 students took the opportunity to market their skills to high profile organizations from both public and private sectors. The fair attracted businesses from a dynamic range of fields, including retail, healthcare, aviation, banking, recruitment, real estate, architecture, engineering, and technology – due to CUD’s diverse degree programs from four undergraduate schools.
Among this year’s recruiters was former CUD student Naira Abdelhafez, who attended the Fair to represent her existing employer, Nextcare Allianz Partners, in the role as Talent Acquisition Lead. As a graduate of CUD’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management, Ms. Abdelhafez knows what it takes to find the perfect job. Ms. Abdelhafez said: “My love for Human Resources stems from my passion for connecting and interacting with people. Understanding individuals is key to implementing best practices within a company, finding the right fit for the organization, and ensuring employee satisfaction.”
Exhibiting at CUD’s Industry Career Fair & Networking Event as an employee of Kalvad, Mr. Ahmad Nofal, also a former CUD graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in Telecommunication degree, said: “During my journey at CUD as a student several years ago, I acquired the fundamental abilities and expertise necessary to thrive in my career. The Career Fair hosted by CUD some years ago also introduced me to my current employer, Kalvad, for which I am grateful. I am honoured to be a part of the Kalvad team.”
Mr. Nofal further said: “Now, participating as a recruiter at CUD’s Industry Career Fair & Networking Event, it is truly inspiring to see the next generation of CUD students who are brimming with energy and fresh, innovative ideas. The passion and drive displayed by these students during our interactions underscore the quality of education that CUD provides. For current CUD students, I encourage you to grasp every opportunity that arises, whether it’s a project or internship, as these experiences can help you develop your skills and grow your professional network, which is essential in today’s competitive job market.”
A wide range of employment and internship opportunities were on offer to students and graduates, with several companies conducting interviews for immediate and forthcoming vacancies during the career fair itself. Fouzia Lkbiech earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Digital Media and Journalism degree from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) several years ago and now as an entrepreneur was participating at CUD’s Industry Career Fair and Networking Event. Moreover, Fouzia harbours a strong enthusiasm for contributing back to her community and eagerly invited students from CUD to undertake internships in her digital marketing business.
Speaking after the event, Ms. May El Khoury, Career Services and Internship Coordinator, said “this had been the most successful career event to date, and we thank participating employers and enthusiastic students. I am very proud of our students as I received a lot of positive feedback from the employers who are now faced with the challenge of how to narrow down their candidate lists. Feedback from the exhibitors was very positive and they had expressed their confidence that many of the interviews would lead to positive outcomes for the students.”
Since the previous ‘Industry Career Fair & Networking Event’, the CUD Job Portal remains open for students to register. This online platform is an inhouse-created-platform. It serves as a one-stop-shop for CUD students and fresh graduates to accelerate career growth and discover exciting part-time work, graduate positions, and internship opportunities. By registering on the Job Portal, students gain access to a range of career advancement tools that help make a smooth transition into the workforce.
For more information about CUD’s career portal offering various employment, for part-time work, and internship opportunities to both current students and graduates, connect with Ms. May El Khoury, Career Services and Internship Coordinator.
Canadian University Dubai hosts General Assembly of Silk-Road Universities Network
International gathering debates hype and reality of artificial intelligence
22 February 2023, Dubai, UAE: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has hosted the 8th General Assembly of the Silk-Road Universities Network (SUN), bringing together delegates from international institutions to debate the theme, ‘The Role of Higher Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data: Challenges and Opportunities’. Staged at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, the flagship event convened a panel of academic and industry experts to discuss the hype and the reality surrounding artificial intelligence.
Commencing with a traditional Emirati dance performance, the Opening Ceremony was presided over by Guest of Honour, Dubai World Trade Centre Vice-Chairman and CUD Chancellor, Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, who remarked, “Artificial intelligence and big data present complex discussions that require a collaborative approach on a regional and international scale. We are pleased to facilitate this academic interaction in Dubai, which is a meeting point between East and West and a strategic position on the Silk-Road map.”
Opening the General Assembly, Chairman, Professor Jaewan Yang, reflected on the economic, societal, and environmental challenges currently faced around the world, and reaffirmed the Network’s commitment to building a peaceful and sustainable future. Welcoming members of the Assembly to the iconic library building, CUD President and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Karim Chelli, spoke of the rich cultural heritage that transcends throughout the Silk-Road.
Reporting on the 7th annual academic conference of the International Association for Silk-Road Studies, which was hosted by CUD in 2022, Prof. Chelli said, “Through 28 panel discussions and 23 research papers we have established a multi-disciplinary exchange, to create networks across academia and industry. We are proud to provide this platform for delegates to come together to share experiences and explore new frontiers in artificial intelligence.”
The Assembly went on to hear a special lecture by Professor Emeritus, Myungsoo Kim, on living as an intellectual in Korea, followed by the panel discussion, titled, ‘Is AI the ultimate winner over classical techniques? Demarcating hype from reality’. Moderated by CUD Professor, Dr. Adel Ben Mnaouer, the panel brought together Associate Professor, Dr. Aiman Erbad from Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Doha, Dr. Bernd van Linder, CEO of Commercial Bank of Dubai, Professor Dr. Marcello Pelilo from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy, and Underwood Distinguished Professor, Dr. M. Jae Moon from Yonsei University, Korea.
Discussing some of the limitations of AI, the panel pointed to the lack of transparency and the inability to explain outputs that are based on machine learning, raising concerns over the trustworthiness of the technology. The debate also considered the ethical principles and governance considerations that are emerging as AI proliferates across society. Highlighting the opportunities that AI has to offer, the discussion explored how higher education institutions can help to localise solutions, to meet the need of stakeholders in specific communities. The panel concluded that AI has immense potential to support social good, but human interaction will remain critical to manage the technology effectively.
The General Assembly closed with a roundup of the Network’s activities from the past year and the presentation of award for the three SUN Contests of 2022. The delegates went on to receive a warm welcome to the CUD campus at Dubai City Walk, where a cultural exhibition and student workshops were organized by the University Students of the SUN, providing opportunities for students from the Silk-Road institutions to meet, collaborate, learn, and celebrate diversity. Simultaneously, the university heads and Assembly delegates collaborated and exchanged ideas at the University Presidents of the SUN Workshop.
The final day of the three-day gathering saw delegates and students receive a tour of the City Walk campus. There was also a chance for guests to enjoy an immersive cultural experience, with the opportunity to visit some of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks and witness the traditions and heritage of the Emirati life. A spectacular Gala Dinner marked the conclusion of the 8th General Assembly of the Silk-Road Universities Network.
Canadian University Dubai hosts conversation with Lorenzo Quinn
Students hear from renowned Italian sculptor on creativity, sustainability, and connections
February 8th, 2023, Dubai, UAE: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has hosted renowned Italian sculptor, Lorenzo Quinn, in an exclusive conversation charting his evolution from film actor to figurative artist. Discussing his creative process, his commitment to sustainability, and his desire to connect people through art, Quinn revealed the challenges he faced as the son of an Oscar-winning Hollywood actor, and how he went on to make a name for himself as a globally celebrated sculptor. The event was staged in the presence of the Consul General of Italy, Francesca Dell’Apa, and the Consul General of the Netherlands, Carel Richter.
Visiting Dubai for his first solo exhibition in the city, Quinn spoke to CUD’s resident international concert pianist and CUD Instructor, Ms. Sanaz Sotoudeh, on the theme ‘Art for a Greater Purpose’. Starting the conversation with reflections on his early life in Italy and the USA, Quinn said he was constantly challenged to prove his own talent in order to step out of the shadows of his father, the acclaimed actor, Anthony Quinn. While pursuing his education in both acting and art, Quinn took on a film role playing his idol, Salvador Dali, which he says inspired him to find his own artistic style.
Explaining his creative process, Quinn revealed, “My art reflects what’s happening in the world; an event, a story, a conversation can inspire me to make a sculpture. I think about what I can do as an artist to try and help people, or to encourage others to act positively, for example, to take small actions towards being more sustainable, which can make a big difference to the future of our planet.”
In addition to his current solo exhibition at Leila Heller Gallery at Alserkal Avenue, Quinn is also displaying works at the DIFC Sculpture Park, including his iconic piece titled ‘Together’ featuring two hands united in physical touch. He explained, “A lot of my work focuses on hands, because there’s so much you can say through them, and they are universally recognised and accepted. I want to help people make a connection with art and all the pieces here in Dubai are sculptures that you can interact with, and I think it’s very important that viewers are able to do that.”
With sustainability at the core of his sculptures, Quinn was chosen by United Nations Climate Change to create a three-meter version of his monumental sculpture ‘Support’ for the Climate Change Conference, COP25 in Madrid. The original piece was installed in Venice in 2017, to highlight the risk of rising sea levels. His creation, ‘The Greatest Goal’, which was unveiled at the Qatar 2022 World Cup, is the largest sculpture in the world to be made of recycled steel.
Explaining his motivation for sustainable art, Quinn said, “I’ve witnessed the impact of climate change and it is terrifying to think that we are destroying the only place we can currently live. I believe that art has the ability to reach people in a different way, and to help them view and accept issues when they are not forced upon them. An image really can convey a thousand words and as an artist I want to use my work to raise awareness and to encourage people to act on environmental sustainability.”
The session concluded with Ms. Sotoudeh performing two songs on the piano that were composed by Mr. Quinn and by well-known Italian composer, Ludovico Einaudi. Speaking after the event, Ms. Sotoudeh said, “It was a great honour to host Lorenzo Quinn and a wonderful opportunity for students to interact with a world renown sculpture artist, to gain insights into his creative process. Canadian University Dubai shares Mr. Quinn’s commitment to sustainability and action on climate change, and it was an enlightening experience to see how these values can be portrayed and promoted through art.”
CUD Hosts One of the World’s Distinguished Architectural Cultural Global Events | 2A Continental Architecture
Dubai, UAE, November 18th – 19th,2022: The Canadian University Dubai (CUD), in collaboration with 2A Continental Architecture, hosted the annual 2022 global cultural and awards event: 2A Continental Architectural Cultural Event and Awards (2ACAA). The themed event Innovative Contextual Architecture in the Continents was well-attended by local VIP dignitaries, well-renowned guest speakers, educators, architects, designers, and students. The festival was a confluence of the greatest minds in the architectural world.
“Architectural competitions are a manifestation of the role of architecture in solving communities’ problems – addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. They are forums of innovation that push the boundaries of architects’ and designers’ creativity beyond frontiers to bring their out-of-the-box ideas and novel concepts into reality.” Dr. Maha Salman, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design, The Canadian University Dubai.
The 2A Continental Architectural Event is an inspiring opportunity to promote regenerative strategies, new design concepts and sustainable innovations. CUD shares the values of this well-known annual architectural global event, which is comprised of trending, contemporary projects with forward-thinking experts in the industry. The event displayed an exhibition of several selected architecture and urban design projects, which were exhibited in CUD’s Auditorium. This renowned event provides CUD’s pioneering students with a platform of opportunities to experience world-class architectural projects and to connect with leading global experts in architecture.
“As an architecture student seeing such an innovative and creative ideas, coupled with problem solving skills that are implementing what we study in theory was amazing. It was a pleasure meeting all these experts who belong to the same profession as I.” Farah Helal, CUD Student, Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design
For two days, the global event provided an interdisciplinary ‘2A ArchTalk’ forums to spark creativity through the exchange of ideas between more than 20 distinguished architecture and design professionals and educators. The forums included topics of: New Technologies, Applied Methods, New Paradigms in Education, and Rethinking Creativity in a Changing World and Global Influences. The cultural event provides CUD’s students to witness high-quality research from several experimental, conceptual, and constructive architectural practices. Discussions between dynamic architects, urban planner, and designers sparks a remarkable evolution in methodologies and professional techniques, where answers to various challenges are provided.
The event finale was the awards ceremony that honoured the excellence in architecture – A panel of international experts in the jury evaluated and recognized selected projects with the esteemed 2A Continental Architectural Awards (2ACAA). Two of CUD’s faculty members, Dr. Constantin Victor Spiridonidis and Dr. Maha Salman from the Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design formed a part of the internationally and well-renowned jury with Kourosh Salehi, Moon Hoon, Cristiano Luchetti, Agnes Koltay, Shahram Agaajani, Rajeev Kathpalia and Fabian Kahr.
“2A Arch Talk gave me the opportunity to recognize new concepts and ideas from others. Architectural competitions play important part of innovation in this field. The creative projects were unique and provided original solutions – helping me to think about my future designs. Problem solving in design is valuable.” Rawan Musallam, CUD Student, Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design
The work from various organizations and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of architecture were awarded and celebrated. The distinguished projects won 1st, 2nd place, with honourary mention. Dr. John Newark, CUD’s Executive Vice-President handed out of the winning awards to celebrate the spirit of architecture. The winning projects can be viewed here: 2ACAA 2022 Honourable Mention Projects – 2A (2aincorp.com)
“2A Continental Architectural Cultural Event is a festival of architecture – providing architects, professionals, researchers, and students to meet and exchange new ideas to drive innovation in Architecture. The global event is a testament to witness the transforming power of Architecture.” Dr. Maha Salman, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design.
Global Entrepreneurship Week at Canadian University Dubai
Dubai, UAE, November 14th-21st, 2022: Entrepreneurship Week is an annual globally celebrated event which propels the navigation to build one global, entrepreneurial ecosystem – connecting students, entrepreneurs, investors and researchers. Budding entrepreneurs showcase innovative solutions to conceptualize and apply the strategic tools in business. The Canadian University Dubai (CUD) community celebrated Global Entrepreneurship week, followed by an impressive awards ceremony on November 21st, 2022.
According to https://www.genglobal.org/gew Global Entrepreneurship Week was launched in 2008 in the United States of America and has since gained momentum in approximately 200 countries, influencing more than 10 million people in the world of entrepreneurship.
“Entrepreneurship is everyone’s business at CUD. Our entrepreneurial spirit is inspired by our mission to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs, and this is inherent in our every action”. Prof. Naveed Yasin, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Head of Entrepreneurship and the Creative Industries
CUD is one of the very first universities in the United Arab Emirates to participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week. Students are mentored to apply learnt theory through practical application. The week is an event filled schedule of strategic activities in product development and service delivery to provide platforms for CUD’s students to connect directly into industries and to ultimately accelerate on the journey of entrepreneurship. The greater purpose is to develop the needs of the local community – strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“There is a misconception from the industries that universities are impractical and only theory based. However, Global Entrepreneurship Week at CUD is one of many strategic links which is applied within a university setting to initiate and connect learnt classroom theory to real-life organizational contexts. Our students are pioneers in a revolutionized system”. Prof. Naveed Yasin, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Head of Entrepreneurship and the Creative Industries
The awards ceremony of Global Entrepreneurship Week honours and recognizes the pioneering initiatives presented by CUD’s students – which are themed around six categories, each of which are closely connected to a specific program at CUD. Two jury’s, one comprised of faculty members from CUD, and the second panel including external thriving experts from the industry, assessed and evaluated each of the student’s projects through real-time feedback. The internal panel included esteemed faculty members, Dr. Rachid Alami, Associate Dean, Graduate Studies, Faculty of Management; Dr. Tamer Mohamed, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology; Dr. Ghada Abaido, Head of Communication Department, Faculty of Communication, Arts and Sciences. CUD welcomed distinguished guests to the City Walk Campus, to participate on the industry panel, including: Fly Dubai; Air Canada; I’m Inclusive; Morgan International; and Career Coach, Michelle Ross. The awards ceremony was also attended by CUD’s Senior Management: Prof. Karim Chelli, President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. John Newark, Executive Vice-President, and Dr. Mohammed Djeddi, Vice President of Academic Affairs.
“Human potential is limitless.” Suhina Mayet, CUD Student
1st place was awarded to CUD’s pioneering students for their innovative app called The Ultimate Student App: Canadian University Dubai Uniology, presented by CUD’s students: Suhina mayet, Sanyah Mayet, Rahmath Sharfa, and Yasmeen Khadri.
“We did not expect our idea to be so well received and we did not imagine winning 1st place!” Suhina Mayet, CUD Student
The students presented a comprehensive and integrated community app for Canadian University Dubai. CUD Uniology is a mobile solution which simplifies campus life, providing quick access to multiple university services – a one-stop portal to endless opportunities. The app prototype intends to engage the whole CUD community conveniently and efficiently on one platform. The app is a conglomeration of all aspects of university life and communication – course information, announcements and events – and moreover incorporating the small details such as parking ticket validation, classroom location, course registration and class attendance.
The platform facilitates the connection between leaders in the world of business and CUD’s learning pioneers. Global Entrepreneurship Week has facilitated pathways for CUD’s students to showcase the innovative app to business experts, who are interested to collaborate further and bring the CUD Uniology app to life.
“There were so many positive experiences born during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Panellists on the spot were interested to collaborate and invest in our project.” Suhina Mayet, CUD Student
Multiple teams of students presented innovative projects during the awards ceremony. Guided through the leadership of Prof. Sayed Abdul Majid Gilani, Associate Professor, Faculty of Management, CUD – the students: Lara Ismail, Razan Khawatmi, Muhamad Fajiz Arafeh, Abdul Karim Shaikh, Mathilda Louwens presented ‘Healthy Vest: Be Smart, Eat Smart’ which is filled with purpose.
“Our society underestimates the significance that healthy living, through food, is the source to life.” Razan Khawatmi, CUD Student
The project is inspired by the United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals. Healthy Vest tailors’ meal plans via a subscription to the Healthy Vest app. Calculated client assessments personalize the meals incorporating each subscriber’s preferences, allergies, habits, likes or dislikes.
“Participating in Global Entrepreneurship Week has contributed to my education, and the application of it – in fundamental ways.” Lara Ismail, CUD Student
Interestingly so, post-awards ceremony, the comparison between both jury’s evaluations on the projects were on par – indicating that CUD’s academics and curriculum are in tune and closely aligned to the industry’s needs, strategies, and objectives.
“As a university, we are responsible to equip our students with a holistic skillset – purposeful theory which is practically applied to meet the demands of the future.” Prof. Naveed Yasin, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Head of Entrepreneurship and the Creative Industries
Of course, Global Entrepreneurship Week and similar initiatives tailored for the CUD community can only be as successful as the team leading it. Prof. Naveed Yasin, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Head of Entrepreneurship and the Creative Industries, is a pioneering ambassador of entrepreneurship at CUD. His achievements have been rewarded through several accolades.
“Anyone can become an entrepreneur.” Prof. Naveed Yasin, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Head of Entrepreneurship and the Creative Industries
Prof. Naveed’s most recent research is featured in a book on entrepreneurship education, called Entrepreneurship and Change, Understanding Entrepreneurialism as a Driver of Transformation (edited by Denis Hyams-Ssekasi & Frederick Agboma) – in the chapter ‘exploring the enterprise landscape for business incubators in the UAE’: “The United Arab Emirates is on course to have successfully developed an effective entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes not only the quantity, but also the quality of business start-ups.”
Prof. Naveed is an elite global researcher. His study on immigrant entrepreneurship has been published in the Journal of Small Business Economics, regarded as the world’s number one journal in the field. Prof. Naveed conducted the study in collaboration with Prof. Khalid Hafeez of De Montfort University, United Kingdom (UK). The subject stems from Prof. Naveed’s Ph.D. research and explores the institutional contexts and their influences on migrant entrepreneurship in the UK, Denmark, and Norway. The full research paper can be accessed via the publisher, Springer at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11187-022-00656-z This places the CUD professor among the world’s foremost academics for scholarly significance in entrepreneurship.
“Don’t underestimate any opportunity that comes your way. It might be the key to the next.” Suhina Mayet, CUD Student.
CUD Family Celebrates UAE’s Commemoration Day & UAE’s 51st National Day
November 28th, 2022: The Canadian University Dubai (CUD) community, together with Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, CUD Chancellor; Prof. Karim Chelli, CUD President & Vice-Chancellor and distinguished guests marked the United Arab Emirates 51st National Day 2022 together on November 28th, 2022 at CUD’s City Walk campus.
The event celebrated the 51st anniversary of the establishment of the UAE and the nation’s peace and prosperity, under the leadership of the UAE’s founding fathers and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
CUD’s celebrations centred around the long history and traditions of the UAE and its people. Dr. Rami El Khatib, Vice-President of Student Affairs said during his welcome speech, “It is with great honour that we celebrate the spirit of the union of the United Arab Emirates. UAE has achieved paramount success, both nationally and on the global stage. The federation created 51 years ago has advanced into a unified and prosperous nation, which is interconnected through a cohesive national spirit.”
The CUD community cherished the UAE National Anthem on piano by Shaima Jamal Alhai and in song with Haithm Tareq. The proceeding went on to honour the cultural aspects of Emirati society with poem recitals by Hessa Rahimi and Mohammed Al Kindi, student speech by Wadeema Al Qemzi and a presentation by CUD’s Emirati Society members. CUD’s music club and dance students graced the community with mesmerizing performances.
Event representatives, Ms. Kinza Khan, CUD Student Council member and Mr. Rashed Humaid Al Ghandi delivered the student speeches in both English and Arabic:
“Our country perfectly amalgamates the traditional and contemporary values of the East and the West, synchronizing a nation comprised of approximately 200 nationalities. The vision of the leaders of UAE have cultivated a spirit of independence, resourcefulness, perseverance, and hope. We are honoured to have embarked on astounding adventures in the UAE, through the dunes and diving to the depths of the gulf waters, now we have touched the peaks of the sky and orbited planets around us. We are transformed by the power of bold ambitions. We are unified by the spirit of our nation. Each one of us standing here today has an important role in the future of this country.”
The annual UAE National Day event brought students, faculty and staff together with the local community, to demonstrate their patriotism and to honour the traditions of the nation through art, music, drama, poetry and cuisine – which included a display of novelty vehicles, live Emirati music, a selection of traditional local food and souqs.
CUD expresses profound appreciation to the visionary leaders of this nation and extends gratitude to the whole CUD student body who collectively made the momentous event a success – with notable thanks to the event organizers, CUD’s Emirati Society.
The UAE National Day celebration was followed by a one-minute prayer on November 30th, 2022, in honour of recognizing the sacrifices and dedication of Emirati martyrs who have given their lives in service.
It was a memorable Commemoration Day and a celebratory UAE National Day at CUD, both filled with appreciation for the United Arab Emirates nation.
CUD Hosts Masterclass with Top-notch Guest Speaker from Philips | Demystifying Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Management
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, November 23rd, 2022: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) hosted a masterclass with a well-renowned guest-speaker, Engineer Muhammad Mudassar, Regional Business Lead, Data Management & Interop Solutions Philips Netherlands, to share how Artificial Intelligence revolutionizes industry and business through Demystifying Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Management.
The healthcare providers are facing unsustainable burdens, while patient expectations of healthcare are changing. Artificial intelligence provides opportunities to transform the world and influence the processes within the healthcare industry. Mr. Mudassar leads data management and seamless interoperability health informatics for businesses within Philips Netherlands, managing Middle East, Turkey, Africa, APAC and ISC Markets. His prime focus is enabling digital health and AI innovation solutions to deliver quality patient outcomes through the application of e2e operations and clinical performance management.
“Artificial Intelligence has the potential to transform healthcare services into an entirely efficient patient-centric process.” Dr. Rachid Alami, Associate Professor, Faculty of Management
Digital transformation within the healthcare industry has grown exponentially. By 2025 the amount of healthcare data is expected to grow by 36%. Mr. Mudassar expressed the need for AI to support healthcare providers and patients through making the abundance of data, sensical. He illuminated that AI within the healthcare management system is:
A key to wellness
A solution to labour shortages
An answer to physician burnout
A guardrail for quality and safety
A driver of consumer behaviour change
An explanation to reduces costs
The backbone of clinical decision support
Computers can perform faster than humans in the process of questions and answers. AI can be applied to past data evidence to help computers and software answer and predict future questions. The objective is to enable optimal, precise and personalized care across the health continuum. AI in healthcare can enhance human experiences – to empower patients with chronic disease and to help the patients adhere to therapy plans and achieve health goals.
“Expectations are everything in artificial intelligence. It is important the following principles are examined: Firstly, realistic expectations of AI, secondly, how to think about computers that ‘think’ and thirdly, finding, fighting and preventing AI and algorithmic bias.” Engineer Muhammad Mudassar, Regional Business Lead, Data Management & Interop Solutions Philips Netherlands
Although AI can be geared to nurturing a positive healthcare management system – AI is not free from error. Challenges in AI includes and is not limited to:
Clean curated data
Access to large datasets with appropriate patient privacy protection
Measuring performance
Evolving regulatory standards.
Mr. Mudassar emphasizes that industry should separate between hope and hype “artificial Intelligence systems that can think and reason through complex problems… we’re nowhere close to such technology.”
Healthcare management systems are inevitably undergoing a radical global change. Noticeably, care providers are driving artificial intelligence innovations. Artificial intelligence applications within the healthcare industry is rising, as the number of approved algorithms is improving after rigorous testing in clinical trials. AI can be applied with human centric applications across the healthcare management continuum, creating thriving healthcare organizations. Combining the power of AI, together with the clinical knowledge of practitioners and leaders in the medical industry can create solutions which can be integrated into the workflows of healthcare providers.
With AI, we can help people take better care of their health and well-being, enabling healthcare providers to do what they do best. “AI is the perfect solution to handle high levels of information-driven variation and dissemination. AI can be leveraged to monitor and refine processes to and make predictions to achieve even greater efficiencies and to mine data from lab, medication and claims to recommend the most appropriate actions.” Dr. Rachid Alami, Associate Professor, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Management
CUD’s Concert Series |‘Romanza’
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) was delighted to host the first of the conglomeration of Concert Series ‘The Interplay Between West-East: Romanza’ on October 20, 2022, in collaboration with the Canadian Council – to promote arts, music and culture in Dubai, UAE.
The concert series initiatives, instituted by Ms. Sanaz Sotoudeh, Pianist & Professor at CUD, invites musicians and artists from all over the world to perform within the well-located and avant-garde campus of CUD. The uplifting orchestrated series of concerts forms a part of the creative project initiatives and studies for CUD’s students in Music, Faculty of Communication, Arts & Sciences – where students learn the practical application of music in an event setting.
“Music is a universal language.” Sanaz Sotoudeh, Pianist & Professor at CUD.
Guests of honour at the first of the concert series: ‘Romanza’ included award-winning violinist Klaudia Olborska Szymańska, Violinist & Professor from New York University, Abu Dhabi and Ms. Sanaz Sotoudeh, Pianist & Professor, Canadian University Dubai.
The event was appreciated by dignitaries and distinguished guests, together with 100+ CUD students from the Faculty of Communication, Arts & Sciences.
“The adoring music from the piano and violin made me feel like I had wings and could fly.” Mariam Haider, Marketing & Communications, CUD.
CUD enthusiastically anticipates hosting the upcoming series of concerts throughout 2022.
Canadian University Dubai hosts International Symposium on Networks, Computers and Communications
Speakers from NASA, du and MIT discuss the future of communication technologies
Monday, November 7, 2021: The Faculty of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology (FEAST) at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has brought together speakers and delegates from across the globe to discuss the emerging challenges and opportunities in the areas of wireless and mobile communications and networking technology. The three-day International Symposium on Networks, Computers and Communications (ISNCC) heard keynote addresses from world-renowned scholars and practitioners in the field, including representatives from NASA, du, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The event opened with a presentation from Dr. Mohamed Abid, who is the Mars Sample Return Payload Chief Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Having worked as Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer on the Mars Perseverance mission, Dr. Abid spoke about the intricate technical challenges the team overcame to successfully land the most advanced rover NASA has sent to another planet.
The day-one afternoon session began with a keynote address from Dr. Muriel Médard from the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department at MIT, who discussed the new trends of error correcting codes in 5G technology. Also on the subject of 5G, Dr. Mahmoud R. Sherif, Head of Technology & IT Strategy at du, Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company, spoke about how telecoms operators can effectively monetize their investment in infrastructure through Next Generation Use Cases.
Delegates also heard addresses from three other keynote speakers during the Symposium. Dr. Maria Guta from the European Space Agency spoke about the impact of 5G/6G on delivering ubiquitous connectivity, Dr. Mohamed-Slim Alouini from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology talked about bridging the digital divide in remote and rural areas, while Dr. Albert Zomaya from the University of Sydney discussed Edge Computing for the Internet of Things.
This year marked the eighth edition of the ISNCC, which was hosted across the University’s campus buildings in Dubai and broadcast simultaneously to an international audience of participants around the world. Alongside the six keynote speeches, the Symposium featured 28 parallel workshop sessions across 12 different tracks, which included Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Blockchains and Cryptocurrency, and Data Science and Big Data Systems Engineering. The event concluded with a visit to Expo 2020 Dubai.
Prof. Adel Ben Mnaouer, General Chair of the Conference and CUD Professor of Computer Engineering in FEAST said, “We have been honoured to welcome such eminent speakers and to attract a very strong and diverse program of distinguished academic contributions, which has resulted in 167 papers being accepted for publication. The conference has provided a valuable platform for the exchange of ideas across several disciplines and for networking to connect different parts of the world. We thank everyone who has participated and supported the staging of this event and we look forward to building on these newly formed collaborations.”
The event was sponsored by IT industry leader, Siemon, and received technical sponsorship from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the IEEE Communications Society. All accepted papers will be submitted for publication in IEEE Xplore.
CUD to host the 2021 International Symposium on Networks, Computers and Communications
Sunday, September 26, 2021: The 2021 International Symposium on Networks, Computers and Communications (ISNCC) will be hosted by Canadian University Dubai from October 31 to November 2, 2021. Presented in a hybrid format, participants are invited to attend the event either on-site at our City Walk campus or virtually by registering online.
Sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Communications Society and its special interest group on Emerging Topics in Communications and Networking (ETCN), the conference will cover theoretical and practical aspects related to Information Systems, Communication Networks and Computing Technologies.
Participants will be welcomed by Prof. Karim Chelli, President and & Vice-Chancellor, Canadian University Dubai, as the Honourary General Chair and Dr. Adel Ben Mnaouer, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Applied Science, and Technology, as General Chair.
This year, the multi-thematic program focuses on the major future scientific issues for the following scientific topics, divided into 12 tracks:
Wireless and Mobile Networks
Satellite Communication Networks
Antenna Systems, Propagation and RF Design
Cloud, Grid and Social Computing and Networking
Smart Communications Systems
Smart Cities and the Internet of Everything
Data Science and Big Data Systems Engineering
Blockchains and Finance Technology
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Trust, Security and Privacy
Network Function Virtualization and Software Defined Networks
Signal Processing and Communications
The 2021 edition of the ISNCC conference will propose a set of keynote speeches made by top-class, internationally recognized researchers and experts, including:
Prof. Muriel Médard, Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Dr. Mohamed Abid, Mars 2020 Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer and Manager of the Mechatronics group at JPL.
Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology.
Prof. Albert Y. Zomaya, Chair Professor of High-Performance Computing & Networking, School of Computer Science and Director, Centre for Distributed and High-Performance Computing, University of Sydney.
Dr. Mahmoud R. Sherif, Head of IT & Technology Strategy, Du.
Young researchers participating in this event will be granted the opportunity to present their work and obtain feedback during dedicated sessions intended to further facilitate interactions and the exchange of ideas. While ISNCC generally targets Senior researchers to PhD and Master students, researchers and engineers are welcome and may greatly benefit from the broad vision provided by this symposium.
Canadian University Dubai offers a broad range of academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels based on the Canadian curriculum and serves as a gateway for students to pursue higher education, research, and employment opportunities in Canada. The ISNCC Conference provides students with an important channel where they are able to exchange information with researchers and industry professionals, widening their network and opening their minds to different perspectives of learning.
CUD’s FAID hosts first Architectural Education Day event
Thursday, June 24, 2021:The Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design (FAID) has initiated a series of Architectural Education Days at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) as a part of our strategy to further develop and improve the quality of education we offer.
These events invite academics from different educational environments to present their teaching and pedagogical practices. The purpose is to exchange ideas, approaches, and experiences regarding the education of future architects with the CUD staff and other participants. The first event of the series took place on Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Dr. Constantin Victor Spiridonidis, Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design, Canadian University Dubai, said: “The theme of the first Architectural Education Day was entitled architectural design pedagogy entanglements and was focused on the teaching of architectural design studio from its beginnings to the final stages of architectural studies. The mission of the design studio, which is the core of architectural education, is to creatively amalgamate all subject areas comprising the contents of architectural curricula.”
The speakers who presented their work were: Prof. Dr. Maria Vogiatzaki, Deputy Head of School of Architecture and Planning, Anglia Ruskin University, United Kingdom, As. Prof. Dr. Theodora Vardouli, School of Architecture, McGill University, Canada, Arch. Emmanuil Zaroukas, Architect/Researcher/Visiting Lecturer at The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL, United Kingdom.
Describing the experience, Prof. Dr. Maria Vogiatzaki said: “I had the pleasure of sharing my views on the studio education of tomorrow’s architects, both with my fellow speakers, as well as with FAID CUD staff. The questions posed stimulated a topical and meaningful debate. It was delightful and reassuring that despite cultural, geopolitical, and other differences we share the same concerns because of our eagerness to revise our pedagogical positions as a way of being reflective of the current crises the world is encountering.”
The Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design at CUD provides students with the knowledge and tools necessary to become change makers within the industry. The unique studio experience is central to the teaching model and challenges students to translate the classroom experience into practice through innovative design and entrepreneurial ideas. With the fast-paced evolution of architecture, interior design, and sustainability, students are encouraged to critically analyze situations and develop unique design solutions, while acknowledging the human relationship to plan and design with empathy and responsibility.
CUD and AWC Celebrate International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP)
Tuesday, June 1, 2021: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) celebrated the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) on April 6, 2021 with Al Wasl Sports Club (AWC) by participating in the Peace and Sport’s #WhiteCard campaign.
Established by the United Nations General Assembly and the International Olympic Committee, April 6 recognizes the role that sport plays in society and its power to foster dialogue, understanding, social inclusion, and peace.
To commemorate this special day, Canadian University Dubai organized an Academic Seminar of Football Management with the partnership of AWC.
Dr. Leonardo Mataruna, Professor of Sports Management, Canadian University Dubai, said: “This year, we are all still facing an unprecedented situation. This occasion provides the opportunity for CUD and AWC to highlight the unique power of sport in supporting people and communities to overcome the challenges imposed by the pandemic.”
With reference to the yellow and red card in many sports, a #WhiteCard is a symbol created by the Peace and Sport organization to represent the positive power of sport for peace and social inclusion.
The core message of the 2021 #WhiteCard campaign is “behind each #WhiteCard, there is a story.” It seeks to highlight and draw attention to the stories of individuals and communities who have been positively impacted by sport all around the globe. Through a #WhiteCard, everyone can advocate for the unique power of sport for social development and peace, sharing personal stories on how sport has helped people to overcome challenges.
Yousef Al Sayed, Marketing Manager, Al Wasl Sports Club, said: “We are very proud to promote this initiative of the #WhiteCard with CUD in the United Arab Emirates. This is a universal movement from the sport community which has contributed to the promotion of peace all around the world.”
CUD and AWC established a partnership with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April 2021. The MoU represents an ongoing relationship that supports cooperation and engagement between the two parties through various activities, including: internship opportunities, academic-related projects and events, research initiatives, outreach programs, and much more.
This event was organized through CUD’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management program, that gives students a profound understanding of the issues and practices prevalent in sport management, while teaching them how to negotiate contracts with players and vendors through athletic valuation, attract crowds to sports events, and coordinate external communication through traditional and digital media.
The International Conference on Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of Energy Systems
CUD hosted the International Conference on Modeling, Simulation and Optimization of Energy Systems. MSOES 2023 included 237 papers from 15 different countries.
The paper: ‘Solar Powered Autonomous Electric Cart’, was presented by two of CUD’s graduating students.
Hosting the Executive MBA students from Pan-American Business School (PBS)
CUD hosted the Executive MBA students from Pan-American Business School (PBS) from Miami and Guatemala. The students visited to fulfill their international certification requirements and discover leading futuristic innovations.
The Dubai Art Fair Finale
The Dubai Art Fair finale, at the Theatre of Digital Art, Dubai, brought together artists from across the globe, featuring the skilled trio: Sanaz Sotoudeh, CUD Music Instructor and Pianist, Shahin Entezami, Electronic Artist, and Naghib Shanbezadeh, Percussionist. #CUDubai
International Women’s Day Concert
CUD’s Faculty of Communication, Arts, and Sciences, is pleased to invite everyone to the:
International Women’s Day Concert, featuring Babylon Orchestra Berlin & Sanaz Sotoudeh.
Wednesday | March 8th, 2023 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm | CUD HUB Atrium 📍
See you there!
CUD Hosts One of the World’s Distinguished Architectural Cultural Global Events | 2A Continental Architecture
Dubai, UAE, November 18th – 19th,2022: The Canadian University Dubai (CUD), in collaboration with 2A Continental Architecture, hosted the annual 2022 global cultural and awards event: 2A Continental Architectural Cultural Event and Awards (2ACAA). The themed event Innovative Contextual Architecture in the Continents was well-attended by local VIP dignitaries, well-renowned guest speakers, educators, architects, designers, and students. The festival was a confluence of the greatest minds in the architectural world.
“Architectural competitions are a manifestation of the role of architecture in solving communities’ problems – addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. They are forums of innovation that push the boundaries of architects’ and designers’ creativity beyond frontiers to bring their out-of-the-box ideas and novel concepts into reality.” Dr. Maha Salman, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design, The Canadian University Dubai.
The 2A Continental Architectural Event is an inspiring opportunity to promote regenerative strategies, new design concepts and sustainable innovations. CUD shares the values of this well-known annual architectural global event, which is comprised of trending, contemporary projects with forward-thinking experts in the industry. The event displayed an exhibition of several selected architecture and urban design projects, which were exhibited in CUD’s Auditorium. This renowned event provides CUD’s pioneering students with a platform of opportunities to experience world-class architectural projects and to connect with leading global experts in architecture.
“As an architecture student seeing such an innovative and creative ideas, coupled with problem solving skills that are implementing what we study in theory was amazing. It was a pleasure meeting all these experts who belong to the same profession as I.” Farah Helal, CUD Student, Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design
For two days, the global event provided an interdisciplinary ‘2A ArchTalk’ forums to spark creativity through the exchange of ideas between more than 20 distinguished architecture and design professionals and educators. The forums included topics of: New Technologies, Applied Methods, New Paradigms in Education, and Rethinking Creativity in a Changing World and Global Influences. The cultural event provides CUD’s students to witness high-quality research from several experimental, conceptual, and constructive architectural practices. Discussions between dynamic architects, urban planner, and designers sparks a remarkable evolution in methodologies and professional techniques, where answers to various challenges are provided.
The event finale was the awards ceremony that honoured the excellence in architecture – A panel of international experts in the jury evaluated and recognized selected projects with the esteemed 2A Continental Architectural Awards (2ACAA). Two of CUD’s faculty members, Dr. Constantin Victor Spiridonidis and Dr. Maha Salman from the Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design formed a part of the internationally and well-renowned jury with Kourosh Salehi, Moon Hoon, Cristiano Luchetti, Agnes Koltay, Shahram Agaajani, Rajeev Kathpalia and Fabian Kahr.
“2A Arch Talk gave me the opportunity to recognize new concepts and ideas from others. Architectural competitions play important part of innovation in this field. The creative projects were unique and provided original solutions – helping me to think about my future designs. Problem solving in design is valuable.” Rawan Musallam, CUD Student, Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design
The work from various organizations and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the field of architecture were awarded and celebrated. The distinguished projects won 1st, 2nd place, with honourary mention. Dr. John Newark, CUD’s Executive Vice-President handed out of the winning awards to celebrate the spirit of architecture. The winning projects can be viewed here: 2ACAA 2022 Honourable Mention Projects – 2A (2aincorp.com)
“2A Continental Architectural Cultural Event is a festival of architecture – providing architects, professionals, researchers, and students to meet and exchange new ideas to drive innovation in Architecture. The global event is a testament to witness the transforming power of Architecture.” Dr. Maha Salman, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Interior Design.
Celebration of 51st UAE National Day
The CUD community celebrated a spectacular 51st UAE National Day together. The CUD HUB campus turned into a magnificent celebration – including a display of novelty cars, live Emirati music, a selection of traditional food, souq’s and beautiful Emirati traditions.
Canadian University Dubai Convenes International Conference on Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Canadian University Dubai has brought together speakers from over 30 countries to debate the emerging challenges and long-term solutions to some of the key business challenges arising in the globalized economy, at a two-day international conference hosted at Atlantis – The Palm, Dubai.
Opened by former Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the International Conference on Leadership, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ICLIE’16) set out to stimulate a transnational debate around five headline themes: International Entrepreneurship and Small Business; Contemporary Leadership and Management; Technology, Innovations, and Sustainability; New Trends in Global Economics, Finance, and Management; and Islamic Banking and Finance.
Following keynotes addresses from Dr. Mahathir and Mr. David Wang, CEO of ICLIE’16 chief sponsor, Huawei UAE, day one of the conference saw more than two hundred delegates attend a series of seminars and workshop led by eminent academics and practitioners in the field. Topics ranged from the women’s entrepreneurs in the UAE, to effective practices in IT governance.
Day two of the conference opened with a keynote speech from Professor Benoit Montreuil, of Georgia Tech Institute, USA, who is leading the International Physical Internet Initiative. Professor Montreuil discussed his research on the paradigm-shifting innovation towards worldwide sustainable hyperconnected logistics and supply chains.
A second keynote address from Dr. Margaret Dalziel of the University of Waterloo, Canada, discussed the outcomes of large and small bets in relation to entrepreneurship policy, illustrating the benefits and pitfalls of both transformational and small-scale business creation strategies.
Parallel sessions exploring different aspects of the five conference themes continued into the afternoon, with workshops covering issues including sustainable innovation, the opportunities and challenges for Islamic Banking, spiritual tourism, responsible leadership, and the growth in e-learning in the region.
Professor Rachid Benlamri, General Chair of the Conference and Vice President of Academic Affairs at CUD, said, “Our goal at this conference is to stimulate a multi-disciplinary debate that will promote a better understanding of current issues and solutions to the challenges facing the globalized economy.
“We aim to bring forward new ideas and focus upon the principles and practices that characterise effective innovation leadership. We want to support the journey towards an economy driven by entrepreneurs in a business-friendly environment, where public and private sectors form effective partnerships for growth.”
The event concluded with a gala dinner at the Atlantis Ballroom, which saw the presentation of the conference awards, including the Best Paper Award, which went to Pia Hautamäki for her paper ‘Business to Business Buyer-Seller Interactions from the perspectives of Personality Theory and Transformational Leadership Theory’; and the Best Student Paper Award, which went to Angelika Dankert for her paper ‘Clustering Countries According to their Cultural Proximity and Similarity’.
Proceedings from the event will be published by Springer. Canadian University Dubai is grateful for the support of conference sponsors, Huawei UAE and Air Canada.