University to offer events course

DUBAI // A Dubai-based university is launching a course in events management to capitalise on the UAE's burgeoning conference and exhibition industry. Middlesex University Dubai, an offshoot of a London university based in Dubai Knowledge Village, is offering an executive certificate in events management. Prof Raed Awamleh, director of the university, said the course would meet growing market demand and would be taught by the faculty with academic and industry experience. Dr Marcus Stephenson, head of tourism studies at the university, said the course was aimed at people interested in managing events such as concerts, conferences, festivals, sporting fixtures and private functions. Middlesex University Dubai currently has around 1,000 students, but plans to increase this to 2,500 within three years. Ultimately, it hopes to have around 4,000 students at its Dubai campus. The university offers several degrees in the related field of tourism, including bachelor's degrees in international tourism management with marketing and hospitality management. Tourism and events management education is said to be undergoing rapid growth in the UAE as the country attracts more foreign visitors. At Zayed University, the number of undergraduates specialising in tourism has doubled in three years. This academic year the university launched a Masters degree in tourism communication. [e-mail]