H.E. Sheikh Nahayan launches honours degree guiding young-emiratis towards key roles in Sports Management 28.02.2013: Bachelors programme launched by Higher Colleges of Technology in partnership with University of Ulster

Bachelors programme launched by Higher Colleges of Technology in partnership with University of Ulster



photo caption:   H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan stands with H.E. Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, and Dominic Jeremy, British Ambassador to UAE, while the Memorandum of Understanding is signed by (from left) Professor Richard Barnett, Vice Chancellor, University of Ulster,  Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology.


H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, the UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, today officially launched a Bachelor’s degree programme creating a unique opportunity for young Emiratis to study for roles in the country’s future as a world-class sporting destination.


The establishment of a BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management programme is the result of a  partnership between the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), the largest provider of higher education in the UAE, and the University of Ulster, one of the UK’s top learning institutes.


This programme, the first undergraduate qualification in sport management provided in the Arab world, will be delivered at HCT by lecturers from Ulster, working alongside academics from the host institution. The first batch of students to be admitted will commence a full time, four-year course in September this year.


In recent years, the UAE has witnessed an exponential growth in the sports, events and leisure tourism sectors. As the country looks forward to continued development in the years ahead, there are significant opportunities for Emirati students to build careers in sports management.


The launch today of a sports management degree is part of a commitment by the UAE government to meet the growing need for specific higher education opportunities in the country allowing young Emiratis to develop the knowledge and skills needed to drive our sports, events and leisure tourism industries in the future.


The BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management degree is a four year programme of study consisting of 29 courses aimed at developing a full understanding and appreciation of the challenges faced by those managing global sport in the twenty first century.


It is anticipated that both practicing sport management professionals and aspirants will apply for this course, and many may already be employed, either in a full-time or part-time capacity within the UAE.


Also speaking at today’s launch event were H.E. Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Professor Richard Barnett, Vice Chancellor, University of Ulster, Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor of the Higher Colleges of Technology, and Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), the national motor sport authority.


Special guests included Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, General Director of Abu Dhabi Education Council; Mr. Ibrahim Abdul Malak, General Secretary for the General Authority of Youth and Sports; Consultant Mohamed Al Kamali, General Secretary of the National Olympic Team; Mr. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Dr. Ahmed Al Shareef, General Secretary of the Dubai Sports Council, Mr. Ahmad Nasser Al Fardan, General Secretary of the Sharjah Sports Council; Mr. Mahdi Ali Hasan Redha, Manager of the UAE National Football team; and H.E. Dominic Jeremy, Ambassador of the UK in the UAE.


H.E. Arlene Foster said: “The launch of this degree represents a further stage in the University of Ulster’s relationship with the United Arab Emirates. I had the privilege of visiting the Yas Marina Circuit in April last year along with Professor Barnett and we discussed a range of issues, including the development of a sports management degree in Abu Dhabi. It is therefore particularly encouraging to see those discussions come to fruition.


“Northern Ireland’s universities have an excellent research base and increasing internationalisation will be beneficial to our economy and that of our trading partners.”


Professor Barnett said: “The University of Ulster already offers a number of very successful Bachelor’sdegree courses across the Middle East and is delighted now, in partnership with HCT Abu Dhabi, to be able to offer the opportunity for highly motivated Emiratistudents with a keen interest in sport to enrol on this new degree programme.


“The overarching objective of the Applied Sports Management programme is to ensure students understand that such a degree course will not only equip them for employment, but also develop attributes and provide experiences that will greatly enrich them as individuals.”


Dr. Kamali said: “It is important to our country’s sporting future that, through the provision of higher education based on the best international standards, a new generation of young Emiratis is developed and empowered to contribute to the continuing growth of the UAE sports industry.”


“We are pleased to be working closely with the University of Ulster and the ATCUAE towards the creation of this exciting new honours degree in Applied Sport Management. Ultimately, it can provide many opportunities for young nationals to play key roles in the future development of our nation’s top sporting events, venues and organizations.”


The BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management programme reinforces the existing research and training links between the ATCUAE and Northern Ireland in the fields of motor sport research and education. Dr.Sulayem was instrumental in the establishment of a joint UAE/Ulster motor sport research centre in 2010 and has been actively involved in discussions leading to the design of the degree in Applied Sport Management.


He said: “Sport is becoming increasingly important to our society and to the development of our global image as a young and progressive nation. The UAE is eager to earn a bigger share in the global sports industry, which is projected to reach a value of US$145 billion (AED532 billion) by 2015.


“To allow the UAE to take the next step,we need qualified and trained Emiratis nationals running our sports properties to the highest international standards. This created a need for world-class quality education based in the UAE that allows the talented young population of the UAE to grow our sports to the next level.”




2.    A celebratory cake is cut to mark the official launch of the BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management degree.



About the BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management programme


Structure and Content of Degree


The BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Management degree is a four year programme of study consisting of 29 courses aimed at developing a full understanding and appreciation of the challenges faced by those managing global sport in the twenty first century.


Alongside a dedicated insight into the field of management, development and marketing emerge the critical fields of innovation, employability and entrepreneurship in sport. Complementing the delivery of this Bachelors degree programme is a focused English language skills course, as well as aspects of the Higher Colleges of Technology’s General Education curriculum.


When combined, the BSc Hons Applied Sport Management degree and the English language skills course presents students with a challenging but enjoyable, career focused programme of education designed to produce graduates able to make a contribution to the UAE’s global reputation for sports management as well its standing in the events, tourism and leisure sectors.



Teaching and Assessment

In order to facilitate 21st century university education the curriculum provided throughout this programme is creative and innovative in its teaching, learning and assessment strategies.


The quality of the student learning experience is enhanced through a range of teaching and learning methods, such as interactive lectures and seminars; small group webinars; online individual tutorials; problem based learning; e-portfolios; practical workshops and peer reviewed delivery.



Work Placement and Future Career Pathways


This course aims to equip students with not only the sport management theory that will help them to build a successful career, but also other interpersonal skills that will enable them to become successful leaders. These interpersonal skills include planning and strategizing, making impromptu as well as planned presentations, organisation and time management skills and the dynamics of group work.


An opportunity to be placed within a specific industrial setting, offered during Year 3 of the degree, allows students to remain in touch with the thinking of industry figures and helps the course team remain suitably informed to train graduates to meet their specific needs.


Upon completion of this degree, graduates will be suitably prepared for management careers within the sports industry and related sectors (commercial, government, voluntary and the social economy). Students may wish to progress to postgraduate level study, including enrolling on those courses available at the University of Ulster and Higher Colleges of Technology. Opportunities for MSc/MPhil/DPhil level studies are available for those who demonstrate the requisite abilities.



Tony Lewis / Ahmad Huzayen, Total Communications, Dubai also photos