The first session of Day 2 of the 3rd Dubai International Project Management Forum was kicked off under the theme: PM in Academia. The event drew participation of a stellar bunch of professors & academicians from the British University of Dubai, Manchester University in the UK, Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), Projects Management Institute (PMI), and Earnest & Young Middle East; a leading financial & PM consultancy firm. The workshop was attended by Ms. Laila Faridoon, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee of the Dubai International PM Forum cum President of Project Management Institute, UAE Chapter.
Faridoon delivered an opening speech in which she highlighted the importance of grooming youths through well-rehearsed and solid future-shaping strategies. “It is very important to qualify undergraduates to enter the PM industry through constant cooperation with the academic institutions including universities, colleges, as well as national, regional and international institutes who have long and diverse experience in awarding Master's and Doctoral degrees in Project Management. This would promote the business sector and ensure the flow of young experts who work tirelessly in shaping the future; which is very much the objective sought by the UAE.”
The workshop was launched by Abdullah Al Hammadi, Vice President for Strategy and Performance Management at the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and Lindsay Hawkins, Director of Programs at Earnest & Young. The theme of the session was ‘A Corporate Perspective on the Need for Project Management Education Implications for Academia’. Both speakers reviewed the key capacity-building elements in Programs and Projects Management, and stressed the need to groom (champs) from young university graduates who are keen to engage themselves in the PM industry. They highlighted the need for creativity and innovation in this regard without strict adherence to all elements which may lead to failure of the project and loss of money and effort. The two speakers highlighted the global trends of PM and their impact on capacity-building. They noted that the program & project management methods witnessed radical changes, given the mega development seen in technology, means of communication and smart apps.
Professor Halim Bosabin, from the British University of Dubai, made a visual presentation entitled ‘Academic Programs in the UAE', where he outlined the history of program and the management of projects portfolio. Dr. Halim explained that the British University in Dubai, attached special attention to PM in the UAE as evidenced by developing curricula and educational programs in this field.
Mr. Callum Kid, from Manchester University, spoke in a session entitled ‘Project Management Programs and Benefits of GAC Accreditation’. Kid addressed a number of topics including an overview of PM, its curriculum, knowledge transfer among other key topics in the field of programs and projects management.
Ms. Leslie Higham, a specialist in academic accreditation programs at the Global Accreditation Center, made a visual presentation. She stressed the importance of global academic accreditation of educational programs including curricula and certificates related to project management. Ms. Higham also noted that the Center does not pose as an absolute master of law enforcement; on the contrary it is flexible and understanding when it comes to educational institutions to the best interest of students and the business sector.
It is noteworthy that the PMI is considering to establish a division to offer free education to students in the field of Programs & Projects Management. The division will be named: Academia Management and will function under the social responsibility domain of the PMI.
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