Sorbonne Abu Dhabi starts its Masters programs

Lectures started at 10:30 am, followed by a friendly meeting over lunch for all Masters' students, and professional who have extensive expertise in this field, at Shangri-La Hotel Abu Dhabi. Students discussed their main concerns and desired outcomes from Sorbonne's Masters with faculty of The Sorbonne Urban and Regional Planning Institute.

Dr. Daniel Balland, Director General of PSUAD delivered a short speech urging students to take advantage of the presence of the utmost experienced and learn. He also expressed Sorbonne's concern to provide students with all the curricula services needed to prosper in a dynamic modern environment, like the UAE's. Professor Guy Chemla, director of the Institute of Geography and Urban Planning, gave a speech too explaining to students that this program is not fully a replica of the Paris program, but rather a customized one that meets the local market demands, and projects students to the ongoing development.

It is worth mentioning that PSUAD Masters in Urban and Regional Planning, offered by The Sorbonne Urban and Regional Planning Institute, starts with introductory Lectures on Town Planning and evolution of concepts for planning and development, Regional and urban geography, Economic principles and regional development, including rural areas, History of town evolution.

This is followed by Theories of development, case studies for regional and national developments, case study for local developments and techniques for auditing and assessing projects. The program also helps students gain understanding of different Housing issues like the Comparative international residential markets evolution, Housing financing methods, Social issues: middle class housing, Social issues: council housing, temporary housing, self construction, Housing and sustainable development: high architectural quality, high environmental quality and Real estate development mechanism and Market studies, marketing and retailing methods of Real Estate development.

The program also carries a scope of legal context: as expressed in the followings: Principles of public Law: Comparative legal systems -Emirates, Continental Europe, and Anglo Saxon world. Planning Laws: Comparative legal systems - Emirates, Continental Europe, Anglo Saxon world - is a core course that helps complete the picture of an urban and regional planner. And finally the program studies Institutions involved in Planning and development: Lecture on Authorities and their role in development.

The director of the Institute of Geography and Urban Planning Professor Guy Chemla, a Professor at the Paris-Sorbonne University too, is specialised in urban planning and more specifically in retail, distribution, tourism and environmental issues. He also has developed for more than twenty years an international expertise in Asia, North Africa, North and Central America. Besides teaching activities at Sorbonne and numerous scholar works, Pr. Chemla is an active member of several research circles; French and European. He is also very much involved in international projects related to environment and development.

To mention only a few of his international responsibilities, one shall cite "Integrated Health, Social and Economic Impacts of Extreme Events", where the last is a European program gathering specialists from all over the world. It is also important to mention "Colombo Environmental Management"; a vast assessment program of the environmental situation of Colombo aiming at defining sustainable improvement solutions.

During Lunch, many insights were highlighted. "UAE market is a leading one in the area. The ongoing development come to carry out late Sheikh Zayed's vision, God bless his soul. I also believe that this Master Program offered by PSUAD has arrived to the right place, at the right time.", remarked Mr. Samir Salloum; a significant Advocate & Legal Consultant in Abu Dhabi, and a member of the team of Professionals contributing to this program. He also added: "I will be teaching the administrative contracts; especially the ones that the private sector is going to sign with the government sector in the construction field, such as tenders, etc. Dr. Falah Hasan Mustapha; Chief Executive Officer and Partner at Emirates & Al Nasr Building & Construction in Abu Dhabi also added that he will be in charge of the Housing and Real Estate part in the program. He has vast experience in teaching and publishing in the UAE. He will be lecturing about public and private social housing issues, sustainability in housing, current housing models in the UAE, major housing problems, etc. He is now a consultant, lecturer, client and contractor, after serving the role of CEO at Al Reem Island where he prepared the master plan, infrastructure work and the link between Al Reem and Abu Dhabi islands. "This is truly a unique experience at PSUAD where we can witness the great support to Academics and theoretical studies with practical implementation. I think this program comes at the right time, to go in line with the boom UAE is witnessing in the Real Estate market". He added.

Students interacted with the professionals and professors, demonstrating how thrilled they are to have joined this program at a reputable organization that has a background of 750 years. Arch. Shaima Al Housani, a student from the UAE, spoke of her experience commenting: "I find this program very related to what I do. I am the Head of Detailed Planning Section at the Department of Municipal Affairs in Al Ain, and I believe that this program will give me exactly the knowledge I need to excel in my career. I happened to know about it through an announcement and I immediately thought that I would be very proud to be the first UAE woman graduating from the French university in Abu Dhabi with a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning".

Started in September 2005, that program is a remarkable example of fruitful collaboration between university, research and business partners. Year 2008 and the opening of PSUAD Masters Program in Urban and Regional Planning set a new landmark in Pr. Chemla rich career. Indeed, Pr. Chemla established and urged on this unique and high profile program."

PSUAD Masters Programs' duration is 18 months for each program, 5 days a month, interrupted by summer break. These programs weigh evenly the theoretical part versus the practice and scientific methodology. PSUAD offers its students not only a chance to acquire a world-renowned degree, but also an opportunity to meet experts, and an opportunity to master French, as Urban and Regional Planning is the only program at PSUAD that provides lecture simultaneous English translation.