Cambridge business schools to join forces

Abu Dhabi: A strategic collaboration to establish a new centre for executive education in Abu Dhabi was signed yesterday between the UAE University's College of Business and Economics and the University of Cambridge's Judge Business School.

The memorandum of understanding was signed by Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and chancellor of the UAE University, and Professor Alison Richard, vice chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

The centre will bring together two internationally recognised academic institutions to build the capabilities and support the professional development needs of the private and public sectors.

The College of Business and Economics (CBE) has been offering business programmes since 1977.

It received initial accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 2001.

The accreditation was reaffirmed at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in 2009. CBE is the only UAE business college accredited by the AACSB at both levels.

The Judge Business School has an outstanding portfolio of research and teaching programmes. The school's MBA was ranked among the top ten globally in the 2008 Financial Times ranking. It was rated as the number one MBA programme in the UK and number seven MBA programme worldwide by The Economist in 2008.

Shaikh Nahyan said it is "envisioned that this alliance will position the UAE University's College of Business and Economics as one of the prominent business schools in the region."

By signing the MoU the two universities will begin delivering open enrolment and customised programmes to participants and industry representatives beginning in 2010. The universities will provide curriculum development, faculty members and programme administrations support.

The duration of the strategy collaboration will be a minimum of ten years.