Dubai IT Academy to offer Cambridge varsity courses

Dubai IT Academy of the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid IT Education Project will now offer a range of internationally accepted courses of Cambridge University, said a senior official yesterday.

Dubai IT Academy (DITA) has been awarded International Centre status by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), one of the world's leading providers of educational qualifications and assessments.

This step by DITA is an effort to provide the highest quality educational opportunities to UAE students.

DITA will now have a Cambridge Skills and Career Awards suite, including IT Skills, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Office Administration and a number of professional development awards for teachers.

Jamal Khalfan Al Howairib, Director General of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid IT Education Project, said he was very happy that Cambridge had selected DITA as an international centre.

"The IT Education Project, right from the beginning, was established in order to provide a strong technological infrastructure for the education of our youth," said Al Howairib.

Al Howairib explained that Dubai IT Academy will offer students in the UAE internationally renowned qualifications, recognised by educational institutions and employers across the globe.

He added: "We at Dubai IT Academy, are proud to be associated with CIE as it enables us to extend our services and offer quality education to the local community.

"All examination papers will first be marked here at the DITA. Then, we will send them to Cambridge University in the UK for the second assessment. When students pass the examination, Cambridge University will issue them a globally recognised certificate."

The cost of each examination is about Dh50.

Paul Lewis, CIE's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa said Cambridge University is delighted to announce Dubai IT Academy as a registered centre.

"This status reflects the quality of teaching and the high standards of administration demonstrated throughout the academy. We look forward to a long and productive relationship, which will be of great benefit to students throughout the region," said Lewis.