The graduation of more than 400 students will mark a seminal moment in the university's short history.
Dubai, June 05, 2012: To mark a key milestone in the short history of the Canadian University Dubai celebrations are being prepared for the graduation of more than 400 students.
On June 7 at the Dubai World Trade Centre the university will, for the first time, be handing degree certificates to students of architecture and interior design and environment and health sciences. They will graduate alongside those who have completed their studies in business and engineering.
"This year's graduation is a poignant moment not only for the students, their relatives and loved ones but also for this young university's teaching staff," said Mr Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, Chancellor of the Canadian University Dubai.
"When we began our journey in 2006, our aim was to transform the lives of those who chose to study here, inspiring them to work harder in order to achieve their goals. This summer we are able to celebrate the remarkable achievements of 400 students who have done just that."
Some 3,000 people are expected to gather to help friends and relatives celebrate the culmination of up to four years" hard work.
Among those graduating will be Priyanka Keswani who will receive her associate degree in marketing.
The 20-year-old, who was born and raised in Dubai, finished her two-year studies in January and, within a month, began working at the Canadian University Dubai full-time. Now she spends her days guiding prospective students through the enrolment process that she knows so well.
Her graduation ceremony, she hopes, will be one of the most memorable days of her life.
"I am really looking forward to it - it is going to be one of the biggest events in my life so far because it marks the start of my career," said Priyanka, who studies a business masters in general management at the university by night.
"It is going to be a special day filled with memories because I will be graduating with all of my friends and my family will be there to see it. I can't wait.
Joining Priyanka on stage will be Emirati students Saif Salem Obied Al Byaiki, 33, and Obaid Rahma Al Boloshi, 35, from Fujairah and Al Ain respectively. They study MBAs in general management at the university's business school, which was recently ranked one of the best in the Arab world by Forbes Middle East.
"Graduation is a very important time for us," said Mr Al Boloshi, a father of five. "We have children and at least some of them will attend the ceremony. We want them to see it in the hope that it inspires them to meet or
surpass our achievements."
Mr Al Byaiki, who has three children, hopes to obtain his doctorate following graduation before putting his knowledge into practice within the UAE business community.
"We studied not only to improve ourselves but also to help our society and our country," he said.
The Canadian University Dubai opened its doors in September 2006 to just over 100 students. Today it has a student body of some 2,000 students enrolled in its undergraduate and corporate training programmes.
"From day one, the emphasis of the Canadian University Dubai has been on empowering students to use Canadian perspectives on learning to benefit the UAE community,? said Professor Karim Chelli, President and Vice Chancellor of the university.
"Last year the first 200 students graduated from our business and engineering programmes. It is with great pride that we prepare to celebrate the achievements of double that number of students this year as they leave an even wider range of programmes to share their knowledge with the community."
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