Middle East companies make best project managers

According to Patching, who is heading up the Masters Certificate in Project Management for knowledgenetwork (knet), the Dubai-based learning and training consultancy, companies in Arabia have a far better attitude at senior management level.

"Middle East corporations have the best attitude to project management, not least because they have an amazing level of accessibility at high-level management, and their CEOs tend to be very hands on," said Patching.

"Arabia is such a burgeoning region, that it will be the leader in project management initiatives within 10 years. Companies here have no time to waste, or energy to expend in internal politics, and they are not constrained by outdated operating procedures."

In response to the ever-increasing number of short- and long-term projects springing up across all sectors in the UAE, knet has introduced the Masters Certificate in Project Management to its curriculum.

Patching, the course director, is the former project director for the design and construction of Sydney's Olympic Stadium.

He personally negotiated the largest property deal in Australian real estate history, worth AUS$ 1.2 billion, as well as the country's largest commercial lease. He is the author of several books, including 21st Century Leadership and The Futureproof Corporation.

The Masters Certificate in Project Management modules start in September with Project Management Principles, and continue through to December. They can be taken individually, or as modules counting towards an MBA with credit points being awarded by Regis University.

knet is an independent training and management consultancy, and specialises in live speaker seminars and business conferences including IHR Arabia. It provides access to a network of international, regional and local organisations, such as the Chartered Institute of Marketing, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, Institute of Administrative Management, and the Institute of Leadership and Management as well as the Masters Certificate in Project Management from Regis University.