MIDDLE EAST, Sheikh Nahayan launches honours degree for young EmIratis

A celebratory cake is cut to mark the official launch of the BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management degree.

Bachelors programme launched by Higher Colleges of Technology in partnership with University of Ulster

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 28 February, 2013: H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology , today officially launched a Bachelor’s degree programme creating a unique opportunity for young Emiratis to study for roles in the country’s future as a world-class sporting destination.

The establishment of a BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management programme is the result of a partnership between the Higher Colleges of Technology ( HCT ), the largest provider of higher education in the UAE, and the University of Ulster, one of the UK’s top learning institutes.

This programme, the first undergraduate qualification in sport management provided in the Arab world, will be delivered at HCT by lecturers from Ulster, working alongside academics from the host institution. The first batch of students to be admitted will commence a full time, four-year course in September this year.

In recent years, the UAE has witnessed an exponential growth in the sports, events and leisure tourism sectors. As the country looks forward to continued development in the years ahead, there are significant opportunities for Emirati students to build careers in sports management.

The launch today of a sports management degree is part of a commitment by the UAE government to meet the growing need for specific higher education opportunities in the country allowing young Emiratis to develop the knowledge and skills needed to drive our sports, events and leisure tourism industries in the future.
The BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management degree is a four year programme of study consisting of 29 courses aimed at developing a full understanding and appreciation of the challenges faced by those managing global sport in the twenty first century.

It is anticipated that both practicing sport management professionals and aspirants will apply for this course, and many may already be employed, either in a full-time or part-time capacity within the UAE.

Also speaking at today’s launch event were H.E. Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Professor Peter Barnett, Vice Chancellor, University of Ulster, Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology , and Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), the national motor sport authority.

Special guests included Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, General Director of Abu Dhabi Education Council; Mr. Ibrahim Abdul Malak, General Secretary for the General Authority of Youth and Sports; Consultant Mohamed Al Kamali, General Secretary of the National Olympic Team; Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Dr. Ahmed Al Shareef, General Secretary of the Dubai Sports Council, Mr. Ahmad Nasser Al Fardan, General Secretary of the Sharjah Sports Council; Mr. Mahdi Ali Hasan Redha, Manager of the UAE National Football team; and H.E. Dominic Jeremy, Ambassador of the UK in the UAE.

H.E. Arlene Foster said: “The launch of this degree represents a further stage in the University of Ulster’s relationship with the United Arab Emirates. I had the privilege of visiting the Yas Marina Circuit in April last year along with Professor Barnett and we discussed a range of issues, including the development of a sports management degree in Abu Dhabi. It is therefore particularly encouraging to see those discussions come to fruition.

“Northern Ireland’s universities have an excellent research base and increasing internationalisation will be beneficial to our economy and that of our trading partners.”

Professor Barnett said: “The University of Ulster already offers a number of very successful Bachelor’sdegree courses across the Middle East and is delighted now, in partnership with

HCT Abu Dhabi, to be able to offer the opportunity for highly motivated Emiratistudents with a keen interest in sport to enrol on this new degree programme.

“The overarching objective of the Applied Sports Management programme is to ensure students understand that such a degree course will not only equip them for employment, but also develop attributes and provide experiences that will greatly enrich them as individuals.”

Dr. Kamali said: “It is important to our country’s sporting future that, through the provision of higher education based on the best international standards, a new generation of young Emiratis is developed and empowered to contribute to the continuing growth of the UAE sports industry.”

“We are pleased to be working closely with the University of Ulster and the ATCUAE towards the creation of this exciting new honours degree in Applied Sport Management. Ultimately, it can provide many opportunities for young nationals to play key roles in the future development of our nation’s top sporting events, venues and organizations.”

The BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management programme reinforces the existing research and training links between the ATCUAE and Northern Ireland in the fields of motor sport research and education. Dr.Sulayem was instrumental in the establishment of a joint UAE/Ulster motor sport research centre in 2010 and has been actively involved in discussions leading to the design of the degree in Applied Sport Management.

He said: “Sport is becoming increasingly important to our society and to the development of our global image as a young and progressive nation. The UAE is eager to earn a bigger share in the global sports industry, which is projected to reach a value of US$145 billion (AED532 billion) by 2015.

“To allow the UAE to take the next step,we need qualified and trained Emiratis nationals running our sports properties to the highest international standards. This created a need for world-class quality education based in the UAE that allows the talented young population of the UAE to grow our sports to the next level.”