New MoU provides learning and engagement opportunities for sports management
students and professionals
Dubai, UAE: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) and Al Wasl Sports Club (AWC) have established a new partnership to promote education and professional development opportunities that will help build capacity across the UAE’s growing sports management sector.
The new collaboration was sealed with the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two organizations. The partnership is set to boost cooperation and engagement through a range of initiatives, including student internships, academic-related projects and events, research activities and outreach programs. A fast-track course for professional development in the sector is one initiative currently in the works.
The MoU signing follows the launch last year of CUD’s Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management program. The first undergraduate degree of its kind in the UAE, the four-year course prepares students for a career in the dynamic and exciting business of professional sports.
The program is led by Associate Professor, Dr. Leonardo Jose Mataruna-Dos-Santos, himself an accomplished sportsman, having participated as part of the Brazilian Olympic Judo Team in London 2012, Beijing 2008, Athens 2004, and Sydney 2000. Alongside his extensive academic experience in the region, Dr. Mataruna-Dos-Santos is also a commentator and advisor for the Arabian Football Gulf League.
Speaking about the partnership, Dr. Mataruna-Dos-Santos said, “This MoU will provide CUD students with hands-on exposure to the inside of the industry in the region, which will add real value to their learning experience. Through internships, real-life case studies and other professional interactions, it will help them to develop the professional networks they need to enter and advance within the sector.”
Mr. Mohammad Ali Amer, Executive Director of Al Wasl Sports Club, expressed his pleasure in partnering with the University, which ranks among the leading educational institutions at the regional and global level, saying, “The partnership comes from our keenness to implement social responsibility, which Al Wasl has always been proactive in implementing and is consistent with the vision and strategy of the club, which aims to enrich and consolidate cooperation with institutions in all fields, to achieve national goals in all cultural, educational, sports and social aspects.”
Prof. Karim Chelli, President and Vice-Chancellor of CUD, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration with Al Wasl Sports Club, which has been awarded the title of club of the century in the UAE, in recognition of its tremendous achievements. Prof. Chelli remarked, “As an internationally-recognized educational institution for higher learning, Canadian University Dubai is committed to providing unique opportunities to our students that will enhance their academic experience and support their scholarly ambitions. Our willingness to continue to build these relationships reinforces our determination, hard work and compassion to succeed for our students, our faculty members and our community.”
Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, Chancellor of Canadian University Dubai, added: “In line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, this partnership complements the Nation’s societal health and happiness, strengthening CUD’s connection not only with sport itself, but also with the fans, the regional football community and the United Arab Emirates as a whole.”
The Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management is set to welcome a new cohort of students for the Fall 2021 semester, who will be among the first to benefit from the new collaboration with Al Wasl Sports Club.
About Canadian University Dubai:
Canadian University Dubai, established in 2006, is a higher academic intuition located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Ranked 42nd overall in the Arab region and 9th in the UAE (according to the 2021 QS World University Rankings), CUD offers a broad range of academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels based on the Canadian curriculum and serves as a gateway for students to pursue higher education, research, and employment opportunities in Canada.
About Al Wasl Sports Club:
Al Wasl Sports Club, established in 1960 under AlZamalek Club, is a football company registered in the UAE Pro League. Credited as the Club of the Century in the UAE by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), AWC promotes the values of sports as an educational tool, contributing to the development of the community and its future leaders.
