Rochester Institute of Technology – Dubai (RIT Dubai), a leading American university located at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park, celebrated the graduation of its seventh batch of students.

Taking place at Grand Hyatt Dubai, the ceremony drew the participation of Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed bin Saqer Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of RIT Dubai, Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Vice Chairman and CEO of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), Dr David Munson, President of RIT, Paul Malik, US Consul General in Dubai, and Dr Yousef Al-Assaf, President of RIT Dubai.

Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed bin Saqer Al Nahyan presented the graduates with their degree certificates, marking the completion of their studies. The students received bachelor’s degrees from nine undergraduate programs, master’s degrees from six graduate programs, and Professional Diplomas in Corporate Happiness, the first program of its kind in the Middle East, aimed at enhancing the happiness of employees, customers, residents and visitors of the UAE.

Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed bin Saqer Al Nahyan commended RIT Dubai for its efforts in delivering exceptional and relevant study programs and interactive curricula. Heemphasized the vital role of educational institutions in building highly qualified generations that are fully prepared to meet and exceed workplace demands.

Congratulating the class of 2018 on the graduation, he said: “We have gathered here today to celebrate your early milestone that we hope will be followed by a series of successful endeavors. I am confident that the time you spent at this esteemed educational institution has equipped you with the tools and skills to thrive in your future careers.”

Speaking on the graduation, Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni said: “More than a decade since RIT Dubai opened its campus at DSO, we are proud to witness its seventh batch of graduates conclude their educational journey. As a government entity that incorporates state-of-the-art technologies and smart solutions in its daily operations, DSOA works tirelessly to drive innovation and achieve the UAE’s wider objectives through collaborating with entities from the public and private sector as well as academia.”

He added: “With the continued support of our chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, we are committed to stepping up our contributions in the science and technology domains to lead Dubai’s transition to an innovation-led knowledge economy.”

During the ceremony, Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed bin Saqer Al Nahyan announced the launch of RIT Dubai’s new Master of Science program in Data Analytics that is set to kick off in September 2018, making RIT Dubai the only institution that offers a US degree specializing in data analytics in the UAE. The program aims to graduate highly sought-after data interpreters.

Addressing the audience, Dr David Munson said: “RIT Dubai plays an integral role in providing quality education that powers Dubai’s transformation to a global smart city. RIT graduates possess a wealth of expertise that makes them pioneers in their organizations.”

For his part, Dr Yousef Al-Assaf said: “In line with the directives of the UAE government, DSOA and RIT Dubai continue to develop lasting partnerships with government entities and private companies as part of their shared objective of strengthening synergies between the education sector and the job market.”

In January 2018, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DSOA, announced the launch of the new campus of RIT Dubai that will incorporate world-class educational facilities, sustainability elements and green building processes, set to be completed in two phases at an investment of approximately AED500 million. The first phase with an estimated cost of AED200 million is slated for handover in 2019, while the second phase will be implemented by 2023 at an estimated cost of AED300 million.