Heriot-Watt University Dubai announces region's first masters course in Urban Real Estate Management

Heriot-Watt University Dubai, will unveil details of the new courses during its participation at GETEX 2008, the Middle East's leading education fair being held April 2 - 5 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Professionals seeking to enhance their careers and prospective undergraduate students are invited to visit the University's stand (C150) to learn more about the University's programmes and meet faculty and students.

The new MSc in Urban Real Estate Management (REMD), presented by the University's School of Built Environment, is being offered in response to the significant level of real estate development and investment both within the UAE and globally. The course is ideal for professionals who demand a programme that allows them the flexibility of working full-time while furthering their education and career. Subjects covered include: Appraisal and Valuation; Asset Management; Real Estate Economics; and Planning and Property Law. The course was originally launched at Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh campus in 2002 and is now strongly recognised as a leader in its field.

'The decision to introduce the real estate management programme in Dubai is based on student demand and the market need,' said Ammar Kaka, Professor of Construction Economics and Management, School of the Built Environment. 'This programme will give professionals, investors and decision makers in the real estate industry the competitive advantage to progress their careers.'

Heriot-Watt Dubai also is introducing a new undergraduate course dedicated to management within the field of Engineering. Combining practical skills with technical capabilities, coursework will include risk assessment, decision making under stress, performance management and team dynamics. The course brings real world scenarios into the classroom with the extensive use of local and international case studies including Boeing (planning and building the Dreamliner) and Samsung Engineering (realising the vision of the Dubai Metro in concrete and steel).

During GETEX, Heriot-Watt faculty will host seminars so prospective students can learn about these new courses and get better acquainted with the programmes. The first seminar - Engineering and Management - Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century will take place on Friday, April 4 at 7 pm. The Managing the Built Environment in an Urban Content seminar, will take place on Saturday, April 5 at 7 pm.

As part of its GETEX activities, Heriot-Watt also will run a competition for first and second year engineering students. The teams will be tasked with defining a relevant real-world problem and building a model Robot to solve this problem. The interactive exercise is designed to showcase students' innovation and communication skills and to develop the team-working capabilities essential for engineering projects. The student teams will work each day on the Exhibition stand (C150) and Faculty will award the Dean's Engineering prize to the winning team on Saturday, April 5 at 6pm.

'With an international reputation for science, business, engineering and design expertise, Heriot-Watt University's Dubai Campus is an ideal location for internationally-focused students and executives seeking a top quality British education in the region,' commented Professor Brian Smart, a Deputy Principal of Heriot-Watt University who is based in Dubai. 'By showcasing the University's programmes and highlighting unique offerings, people visiting our stand at GETEX will be able to make the right decisions when planning their academic studies and professional careers.'