University of Waterloo and HCT officially open Waterloo UAE

UW in partnership with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) has launched Bachelor's of Applied Science degrees in Chemical Engineering and Civil Engineering at the Dubai Men's College campus and will offer a Bachelor of Mathematics in Information Technology Management and in Financial Analysis and Risk Management in September 2010.

Students study for two years at UW UAE and the final two years in Waterloo Canada. Waterloo professors who will teach the Waterloo curriculum in the UAE will provide the same program content and quality of instruction as is offered in Canada and under a "co-operative" education model that has students alternating four-month work and academic terms.

"The University of Waterloo looks forward to building a high-quality presence with high-quality partners in the important Gulf region,"

said Leo Rothenburg, Associate Vice-President, International.

"We are pleased to be working with the Higher Colleges of Technology as well as the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training in the United Arab Emirates. I would like to also thank His Highness Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan for his role in this exciting partnership."

In 50 years the University of Waterloo has become Canada's leading comprehensive university. For the last 17 years Maclean's has named UW Canada's "Most Innovative University", and it has topped the reputational categories of "Best Overall", "Most Innovative", and likely to produce "Leaders of Tomorrow". UW was Canada's first university to develop a co-operative education program, now the world's largest and the global gold standard for professional programs. UW's technology park is home to many high-tech companies including "Research in Motion", founded by a UW graduate, the company that developed the Blackberry.

UW's 6th decade plan, http://www.sixthdecade.uwaterloo.ca/, calls for significant internationalization to ensure graduates are global citizens. Achieving that goal involves sending more students abroad, bringing more international students to campus and expanding UW's presence around the world. The plan specifically calls for the opening of two international campuses, the other will be in Nanjing, China.

Dr. Peter Douglas, a professor of Chemical Engineering, is the UW UAE campus Director. Douglas was the Associate Dean of Engineering (Graduate Studies and International Agreements) and Associate Dean of Engineering (Computing).

"Professor Douglas' rich knowledge of the University of Waterloo and his extensive experience and connections across campus will serve him well as he leads our efforts in Dubai during this very important year. Stationed in Dubai, Professor Douglas will also bring a great deal of previous international experience to this position" adds Rothenburg.

Classes began in Dubai in September 2009. In September 2010, two new programs will be offered: Financial Analysis and Risk Management, and Information Technology Management.

Douglas says:

"He expects the UW UAE enrolment to grow from 22 this year to about 140 next year and 500 by September 2012. In addition the faculty complement will grow from 3 this year to 9 next year and 12 by September 2012. We will be a real going concern in the region in a couple of years."