News & Articles

• ADU is one of the first universities to offer this MBA program in the UAE

• Nine UAE nationals among the first batch of graduates

• The program is available as a result of a strategic partnership between ADU and Griffith University, Australia

The first graduating class of Abu Dhabi University’s (ADU) MBA program specializing in Tourism and Event Management were officially honored at a special graduation ceremony today at the University’s main campus in Abu Dhabi.

The ceremony saw the graduation of twelve students, nine of whom are UAE nationals. ADU’s Chancellor, Professor Waqar Ahmad, and Associate Provost, Professor Philip Hamill, attended the ceremony along with the International Director of the Griffith Business School, Dr. Peter Woods, Prof. Sherine Farouk, Assistant Provost for Academic Programs and Associate Dean of College of Business and Dr. Saju Jose Associate Professor of Marketing.

The brand-new MBA program is a direct result of the long-term strategic collaboration between ADU’s College of Business and Griffith University, Australia, and aligns with ADU’s vision to provide a holistic learning experience for its students.

Commenting on the event, Prof. Sherine Farouk, Assistant Provost for Academic Programs and Associate Dean of College of Business, said, “We are proud to witness the graduation ceremony honoring the talented students from our MBA in Tourism and Event Management. The tourism industry is one of the key sectors which contributes to the UAE’s post-oil era economic development.”

Prof. Sherine continued, “The Emirate of Abu Dhabi continues to make great strides towards becoming a world-class tourism destination, and ADU continually strives to work in parallel with the UAE Agenda 2021, designed to reinforce the nation’s position as a tourism hub. With the specialized MBA program, we provide our graduates with the necessary skillset to fulfil gaps in the tourism industry, thereby contributing to building the UAE’s workforce. ADU thanks Griffith University for their contribution to this ongoing partnership and we look forward to several more strategic ventures together.”

Delivered by both universities, students will receive their degree from ADU and a certificate of completion from Griffith University. The program allows students to explore modules such as Tourism and Event Marketing, Sustainable Tourism Management, and Event Management. Students also learn how to evaluate local and international trends and challenges in event management.

Griffith University is one of the world’s leading universities known internationally for its Tourism and Event Management program. It provides students with the knowledge and required skills to be part of the exciting tourism and event management industries. The University attracts Australia’s largest student cohort in hotel and tourism-related degrees and is accredited by the International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). 

Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in a range of national and international tourism and event management roles including in hotels and restaurants, entertainment and leisure providers, conference and event organizers, and suppliers of goods and services to these industries.