Abu Dhabi University Launches Its First Doctorate Program

Ali Bin Harmal:

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has launched a Doctorate of Business Administration, the first doctorate program to be offered by the university. The program is academically accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and will be the first specialized program to qualify executives, managers and researchers, enabling them to get a doctorate degree from ADU. The program will be implemented this academic year and ADU will begin offering the program in collaboration with outstanding universities worldwide; such as Henley Business School and Tulane University.

A number of prominent faculty members from renowned international universities will be teaching and supervising students, especially in the thesis writing phase of the program.

This was announced during a press conference held yesterday at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi. In attendance was H.E. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the õExecutive Board, Dr. Nabil Ibrahim, ADU’s Chancellor, a number of college deans, faculty members and various researchers who wish to join the program.

Bin Harmal pointed out the importance of this initiative for ADU as it represents a great leap in the progress that the university has made in strengthening the ranking of the university as a leading academic institution that keeps up with the most modern scientific and technological advancements in specialized programs, particularly in the field of business administration which is one of the most important developmental sectors in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

The study plan of the doctorate program was designed in such a way to include scientific courses and a thesis which will relate to a great extent to the business administration sector, its constant changes and the great challenges these present. All researchers will select a thesis topic from the field of business administration aiming at solving a particular issue or enhancing the future of this dynamic sector.

Bin Harmal explained that the objective of launching this program is to build a national base of specialized human resources, while implementing the highest international standards adopted by renowned international universities and research centers. This follows from the implementation of the university’s strategy which is inspired by the directives of H.H. Shiekh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, and those of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, as well as Abu Dhabi’s public political agenda and its Economic Vision 2030. ADU has also incorporated the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region and President of Abu Dhabi University’s Board of Trustees, in its strategic planning, directing ADU to become a link between the civilizations of the east and west while establishing itself as a center for the exchange of knowledge, technologies and applications that will reinforce the progress of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in all possible fields of study.

Dr. Nabil Ibrahim, ADU’s Chancellor, mentioned that the program is now adopted in the university’s strategic plan and is designed to meet the growing need in the UAE for qualified human resources and experts to help with the expansion of relations of the UAE market with world markets.

He also explained that the program has been developed with the cooperation and consultancy of leading academic institutions to ensure a flexible schedule ideally suited for those who wish to combine their studies with a full-time occupation. It also gives those who join the program a great opportunity to develop their performance by applying their studies in their current jobs, in addition to learning a set of specialized skills and acquiring unique experiences. These will develop their understanding of the relevant conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of their chosen areas of research in business administration, and enable them to understand and apply cutting edge technologies and use it for academic and administrative research in the analysis of data. This will enhance their understanding of the theories applied in the field of business administration.

Dr. Jacob M. Chacko, the Dean of the College of Business Administration, said that the doctorate program in Business Administration is designed to enhance and enrich the experience of experts and executives. It will also support the ability of candidates to develop their knowledge and provide them with a sound understanding of theories in addition to applying them, while helping centers of higher education, consultants and academics specialized in business administration. It is a part-time program consisting of 14 courses taught within 28 months followed by a thesis writing phase ranging from 10 to 20 months.

The first phase is aimed at shaping the personality of the student in the field of scientific research and will get students involved in the study of many specialized courses in business administration, a process that leads from the main courses of the program, to suggested research topics and eventually the writing of the doctorate thesis. The second phase is aimed at preparing students to understand and apply the nature of research and the process of conducting it; understanding the applicable techniques of research and modern academic issues; and eventually demonstrating the ability to conduct research.

He added that the program aims at reinforcing the professional and executive practice as a rich program which prepares executive managers for high-profile positions in both private and governmental sectors. The program is considered the highest and finest academic degree offered in business administration and it qualifies graduates to be faculty members at universities all around the world.

He finally explained the requirements for admission to the program. Admission requirements to first phase include the following: a master degree in business administration or equivalent; a cumulative GPA of 3.5 (3.00 to 3.49 could be accepted with the support of a suitable GMAT exam result); 3 professional letters of recommendation from employers confirming the quality of the applicant in his / her field; a TOEFL score of 550 or a band 6 in the Academic IELTS exam; a work experience certificate of a minimum of 2 years held in a regular administrative position or higher administration one. Admission requirements to second phase consist out of: a cumulative GPA of 3.5 in the first phase and the acceptance of the research proposal by the designated academic committee.
 

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