A master's in diplomacy launched by the American University in the Emirates (AUE), will cater to a demand for professionals qualified in the art of diplomacy, its chairman said during the programme launch.
Saleh Al Darmaki, chairman of the board of trustees of AUE, said market research revealed a demand for a diplomacy discipline in a rapidly globalising world.
"Due to globalisation, there is a demand for organisations in the region to have qualified experts in areas of diplomacy," said Al Darmaki.
The course will start on March 4. Students will tackle four core areas of international relations, diplomacy, protocol and etiquette and crisis management.
Open to all
"We received about 50 applications and accepted 23 students. Most are Emiratis and nine are women," said Dr Muthanna Abdul Razzaq, President and CEO of AUE.
Although the majority of students joining the course are Emiratis Abdul Razzaq emphasised that the course is open to all. At Dh120,000, graduates with bachelors degrees of any discipline are welcome to apply. However, those coming from different fields of study will have to take remedial courses.
The 18-month course will be taught in a series of weekend seminars with instructors from the UK and US. "We have agreements with universities to bring in experienced foreign affairs and diplomacy professors from all over," said Abdul Razzaq.
Diplomats in the making
Mardiya Ali Al Beloushi, 24, is one of the nine women enrolled on the programme. She is currently an assistant at a bank but wants to change fields and embark on a diplomatic career. "After graduation I want to enrol at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hopefully be posted abroad," said Al Beloushi. "I wanted this degree for my bachelors but couldn't find it so now I'm going for it as a postgraduate," she added.
