- A total of 229 students received their bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and Professional Diplomas

- Ahmed bin Saeed: The UAE strengthens its position as a preferred global destination for talent and innovators

In the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), the Rochester Institute of Technology-Dubai (RIT-Dubai), the Dubai campus of the leading US university located at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), graduated its Bachelors. Masters, and Professional Diploma students at the new campus in DSO, the integrated free zone technology park, and member of DIEZ.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum commended the RIT’s successful track record and its active contribution to enhancing Dubai’s status as a preferred global destination for the talented, creative, and innovative minds that are designing a better future for mankind.

His Highness commended the Emiratization of science, technology, engineering, and math specialties and equipping local talent through the nation’s universities and educational institutions. He highlighted that through its partnership with RIT, DIEZ is keen on enhancing the contribution of talented and creative individuals to realizing the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai the global economic and digital capital, attracting talent, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

The ceremony drew the participation of His Excellency Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of RIT-Dubai, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZA, His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Dr. Ellen Granberg, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at RIT New York, Dr. Yousef Al Assaf, President of RIT-Dubai, and the proud parents of the graduates alongside several academics and officials.

For the academic year 2021-2022, the Rochester Institute of Technology-Dubai graduated 229 students across its Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs – graduate degree programs include Electrical Engineering, Service Leadership and Innovation, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, Smart City Science, and Data Analytics; undergraduate degree programs include Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computing and Information Technologies, Computing Security, International Business, Marketing, Finance, Management, and Industrial Engineering.

Among the graduates were several officers of the Dubai Police Force, attaining a Professional Diploma in Data Analytics with a Public Safety and Security concentration, where students embarked on a 20-week journey over two models. The program is based on a holistic educational experience, where theory and practice are fully integrated, enhancing operational efficiency and advancing data analytics tools.

The total number of RIT-Dubai graduates in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and diplomas since 2010 has reached 1,475, all of whom studied in future-proof fields, in line with the demands of the job market of a knowledge- and innovation-based economy.

Innovators of Tomorrow

His Excellency Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh said: “Global research institutions anticipate that the future of work will follow a hybrid framework with new systems, the automation of various processes will accelerate, and that data systems will achieve a fundamental transformation in cross-sector comprehensive infrastructure. These are the disciplines that we see our graduates pioneering in, to lead the applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and knowledge- and technology-based innovation in Dubai, the UAE, and the wider region.”

Launchpad

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni commended RIT-Dubai’s role in shaping the future of the job market and entrepreneurship through graduating a more diverse, creative, and talented generation across academic specialties. He said: “Dubai’s vision and initiatives revolve around shaping the future of the emirate to make it a hub for knowledge-based economy and innovation, contributing to the next 50 years, leading to the UAE Centennial 2071. At DIEZ, we reaffirm our support for the Rochester

Institute of Technology-Dubai, which will play a crucial role in exporting key talent that actively contributes to economic development.”

Dr. Al Zarooni noted that DIEZ was established to develop an integrated and engaging framework that aligns with the strategic national priorities, providing a unique model that attracts global investors and entrepreneurs to live, work, and play. Today, Dubai Digital Park and Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Campus are ideal platforms for youth looking to turn their ideas into reality, especially in technology-related fields, and to work in international companies specialized in advanced sciences and technology.”

R&D Support

For her part, Dr. Ellen Granberg, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at RIT New York, highlighted the significance of the institute’s Dubai branch. She said: “We, at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, are proud of RIT-Dubai’s achievements and its diverse offerings across fields such as smart systems, data analysis, entrepreneurship, and engineering. The university will remain supportive of R&D in dynamic fields that the UAE focuses on.”

Research, Experimentation, Application

For his part, Dr. Yousef Al Assaf said: “We congratulate this year’s graduates and wish them the best of luck in their chosen valuable majors in data analysis, smart cities, engineering, artificial intelligence, and other programs that are based on research, experimentation, and application. Their future is ahead of them to achieve and create, based on their skills, applied knowledge, and eagerness to continuously learn to realize their aspirations.”

Source: Dubai Media Office