DUBAI, 21 July 2006 — Students from the British University in Dubai, (BUiD) the UAE’s first dedicated postgraduate, research-based university, will present the results of their research at international conferences this year, it was announced yesterday.
Executives at the university noted that invitations to speak at such international conferences are rarely extended to master’s students so early in their research career, underlining the university’s progress since its launch two years ago.
UAE national Suad Al-Shamsi, studying for a master’s in information technology, will present the preliminary results of her studies to an international audience in Peru at a technology conference there. Al-Shamsi’s research has led to the development of a speech therapy tool that allows children with learning difficulties like Down Syndrome to learn to speak correctly. This has particular resonance in the Middle East where there is a lack of IT learning tools available — especially in the Arabic language.
She will present her paper to the Ninth IASTED International Conference on Computers and Advanced Technology in Education in October and will be among the first students from the region to attend the event.
The International Association of Science and Technology for Development is a non-profit organization. The purpose of IASTED is to promote economic development through science and technology. IASTED has so far organized conferences, workshops and courses in over 40 countries.
Al-Shamsi was awarded a special scholarship provided by BUiD for a graduate from Zayed University. BUiD is offering a further scholarship for a Zayed University graduate beginning a master’s program in September 2006.
Imran Malik, who is studying for a master’s in project management, will become the first postgraduate at the university to present a study to the BRISMES Conference 2006 at the University of Birmingham, UK, later this month.
Drawing on the practices of construction and project management of the early Islamic period, Malik will present a study on the lessons that can still be applied to contemporary project management in the construction industry. Malik is supported in his studies by a scholarship provided by Dubai Duty Free, which is also funding the cost of his travel to the conference.
“Each student’s invitation represents a huge honor and achievement, both for themselves and for the university. It clearly reflects the high international standards for which both the institution and students are striving and are now being recognized for,” said David Lock, registrar and acting chief executive of the university.
