About RIT Dubai
The Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai (RIT Dubai) maintains its position as a prestigious satellite campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, United States, while operating in the city of Dubai within the United Arab Emirates territory. RIT Dubai provides a total of 11 doctoral degrees, together with 78 bachelor's degrees and 73 master's degrees. The college delivers 49 dual-degree programs among its university offerings. All programs at RIT Dubai received accreditation from the Commission for Academic Accreditation under the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR).
The government authority, known as the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, licensed the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai to operate as a private educational institution in Dubai.
RIT maintains more than 300 groups covering political science, athletics, movement arts, drama and music, and virtual gaming. RIT Dubai provides students access to multiple facilities, including technology and engineering laboratories, a bookstore and gym space as well as outdoor sports areas, cafeteria service, and a reading library.
Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai History
Two foundations merged together to establish the Rochester Institute of Technology when the Mechanics Institute joined forces with Rochester Athenaeum in 1885. The institution received its present name in 1944. The initial Bachelor of Science degree was issued by Rochester Tech in 1955.
RIT Dubai emerged in 2008 as the not-for-profit global branch of Rochester Institute of Technology, which originated as one of the world's top technology-centered institutions with 185 years of academic legacy in New York.
The establishment of the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai started in 2008 at the Dubai Silicon Oasis to provide top-tier higher education in the vicinity. The institution delivers undergraduate and graduate academic programs to Middle Eastern student groups across North Africa and Southeast Asia.
President Mustafa A.G. Abushagur stood as the founding president of RIT Dubai when he established its first Middle Eastern campus. He served as the mediator who brought RIT together with the UAE government to develop a university campus within the Dubai Silicon Oasis.
RIT Dubai served as evidence of the partnership between RIT president William W. Destler and Dubai officials. The Rochester Institute of Technology was invited by the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority to establish a community and network of highly skilled, technology-proficient people. RIT gained the chance to pursue its strategic plan that sought platform growth and worldwide educational possibilities for students.
Dr. Youssef Al Assaf took over as president of Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai in 2013 after Mustafa A.G. Abushagur accepted the prime minister position in modern Libyan history.
In February 2019, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum initiated the development of new RIT Dubai campus facilities through his role as the Chairman of the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA). The construction project worth 500 million AED requires completion by 2023, and the first building phase will finish by the first quarter of 2020.
Education at RIT Dubai
RIT Dubai grants bachelor's degrees together with master's degrees in multiple disciplines between computers and business administration alongside engineering and leadership. The innovative cooperative education program delivers practical work experience to students via their curriculum, which increases their career market value in this highly competitive environment.
RIT Dubai receives its program authorization from the United Arab Emirates, allowing students to receive American academic credentials. Likewise RIT Dubai students acquire the opportunity to take classes at any of its international campuses together with its New York residence location.
The United Arab Emirates conducts accreditation of RIT Dubai programs to deliver American degrees to students. The education at RIT Dubai allows students to add international study experience through their facilities throughout New York and its global locations.
All educational programs of Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai align with New York programs, which delivers the exact degrees given to New York campus students. All academic programs at RIT Dubai received approvals through MOHESR's Commission for Academic Accreditation.
Programs for Undergraduate Students
RIT Dubai initiated the provision of Bachelor of Science degrees in the autumn of 2010, offering a variety of major program options and concentrations. RIT Dubai provides a variety of disciplines, including:
- Business Management Marketing International Business Finance Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Microelectronics Engineering – 2+2 Program – Complete your degree in Microelectronics Engineering at the NY campus after spending two years studying Electrical Engineering in Dubai.
- Industrial Engineering
- Information and Computer Sciences
- Computer Security Computing and Information Technologies
These undergraduate programs are intended for full-time study, allowing students to integrate practical experience with academic foundations and an emphasis on modern and newly developed technologies. Students have the opportunity to satisfy a portion of their degree requirements by attending classes at the New York campus and studying abroad.
Postgraduate programs
In September 2008, the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai initiated the provision of graduate degree programs in a variety of fields. PhD programs exist to direct training, foster regional economic expansion, and enhance human resources in Dubai and across the Persian Gulf region. All master's programs at RIT Dubai operate on a part-time basis while providing flexible learning formats to meet the needs of working students.
The following master's programs are available:
- Customer Service Innovation and Leadership
- System administration and networking
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Engineering administration
Professional studies: City science, subject to Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research Approval
The English Language Center
The English Language Center also provides English courses for professionals, personal interests, international students, and RIT Dubai students.
Certification
The Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai awards degrees from its main institution, RIT New York, which is internationally recognized. All Master's and Bachelor's programs at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) accrediting body known as the Commission for Academic Accreditation have received their certification. Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai started accepting more students because its Engineering Programs earned accreditation from the US Department of Education and ABET.
The regulatory authority of the Emirate of Dubai called the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, has issued a license to the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai.
Rochester Institute of Technology holds its accreditation from Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the New York State Education Department. At the same time, it operates with its charter from the New York state legislature.
The Rochester Institute of Technology in New York has bachelor's and master's programs in engineering and business that are accredited by accreditation bodies such as the American Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), in addition to institutional accreditation.
Facilities and Services in RIT Dubai
Facilities offered by the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai include a bookstore, a fitness center, outdoor and indoor sports facilities, a cafeteria, and a library. Additionally, the institute offers engineering and computing laboratories.
An onsite collection of 3,000 volumes is maintained by the library. Furthermore, students at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai have access to more than 125,000 electronic books, 50,000 electronic journals, and 250 databases from the primary campus library in Rochester, New York.
Students from RIT Dubai who require housing are accommodated at the Dubai Silicon Oasis Accommodation, which is situated approximately five minutes from campus. This establishment, which was inaugurated in August 2016, offers a comprehensive array of amenities to accommodate the requirements of students, such as study, dining, recreation, and leisure. Shuttles from the main campus building depart at various intervals throughout the day, and buses are available to convey students to specific malls and metro stations.
If necessary, students are provided with transportation. RIT Dubai provides daily transportation services for students residing in the cities of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, and Dubai. Bus routes are available at numerous convenient pick-up locations in neighbourhoods and suburbs across the country. The buses arrive at the RIT Dubai before classes commence at 9:00 AM. Buses depart from RIT Dubai daily between 5:00 and 5:15 p.m.
Campus activities in RIT Dubai
Events University Challenge
The primary event that takes place annually on campus is the RIT Dubai University Competition. High school students are encouraged to participate in a variety of competitions, including those in the fields of engineering, business, and knowledge. The competition's champions are awarded a scholarship to continue their education at RIT Dubai.
Days of Orientation
At the commencement of the academic year in the Fall semester, the university conducts orientation sessions during which students are provided with an overview of the university's operations, register for classes, and complete the Math and English placement tests.
Workshops for Counselors
The counselor workshop is designed to equip high school representatives with the necessary resources to ensure that their students select the appropriate university, whether they are moving abroad to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or remaining in the UAE.
Student life at Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai
Student government
The student government (SG) elections for president and vice president were conducted on May 1, 2013, with the objective of representing the entire student body of the university and assisting the Student Services department in all student-related tasks. Representative elections were conducted during the initial week of October. External Communication Officer, Internal Communications Officer, Events Organizer, Athletics Director, Treasurer, and Secretary comprise the remaining positions in the Student Government. Candidates who submit applications for these positions are appointed.
The student government at RIT Dubai is one of the most prominent student organizations at the university.
The following are examples of previous Student Government President and Vice President leadership:
- Rabeet Khan and Yara Hattab (2013–2014)
- Tarun Yenna and Yara Hattab (2014–2015)
- Mohammad Yousefi and Mashal Waqar (2015–2016)
- Omar Adel and Kareem Hassan (2016–2017)
- Loana Ifrim and Ira Palaioudi (2017–2018)
- Ronald Noronha and Judy Akbik (2018–2019)
WRITERS Magazine
WRITERS is the inaugural student-run publication at RIT Dubai. It is an online and print publication that is distributed throughout the Dubai Silicon Oasis and at RIT Dubai. The circulation of the magazine exceeds 1000 volumes. The RIT Dubai Marketing Club initiated the WRITERS initiative with the objective of providing a platform for the most opinionated voices of RIT Dubai. It has been instrumental in the discussion of critical issues that students hold dear. Issue 1 was published in May 2015, and issue 2 was released in May 2016.
Issue 2 profiles Sharpen Obaid-Chinoy, a two-time Oscar recipient, for her pioneering work in the production of documentary films that address topics that are considered taboo in Pakistan. Mashal Waqar served as the editor-in-chief for both publications. Dana Osman, Bushra Siddiqui, and Junaid Seraj served as the sub-editors for issue 2, while Raina Zakir served as the designer.
Athletic Club
The Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) Sports Cup 2013 was attended by the Sports Club. Basketball, volleyball, table tennis, athletics, football, cricket, tennis, squash, badminton, and swimming were all participated in by approximately forty-five students.
Cultural Club for Palestinians
In 2012, the Palestinian Cultural Club was established with the objective of representing the Palestinian community at RIT Dubai. Its primary objective is to preserve the Palestinian culture and heritage and to revitalize it. Additionally, our objective is to establish connections between the Palestinian community in the UAE and the Palestinian community in Palestine, as well as to engage in communication with various Palestinian organizations and figures both within and outside the UAE. One of the club's ongoing initiatives is the Donate to Educate charity campaign, which is designed to assist students in Palestine in their pursuit of education.
Happenings
The club's inaugural event was the invitation of the General Consul of Palestine to the opening ceremony. This was followed by a delightful evening of Palestinian folklore.
The General Consulate of the State of Palestine organized a charity dinner event at Atlantis to support the financial support box of President Mahmmoud Abbas, which is to assist Palestinian students in Lebanon. The club attended the event.
- The RIT Got Talent event was hosted by the club.
- The PCRF charity marathon, which was organized by Standard Charter and took place on Dubai Mall Boulevard, was attended by members.
- In order to assist students in Palestine in their education, the organization initiated the "Donate to Educate" charity campaign.
- Participated in the Donate to Educate charity campaign by attending the DSO Bazaar.
- The club aimed to broaden its charity campaign in order to garner the support of a larger number of individuals in the UAE. In collaboration with the General Consulate of the State of Palestine and other Palestinian Clubs in the UAE, the PCC-RIT could host an event titled "Voices from the Heart of the Land" on the same day as "Yawm Al-Ard/The Land Day" to assist the blind children in Palestine.
Arab Orients Club
In March 2012, the Arab Orients Club was established with the objective of introducing the various Arab cultures of the globe to the universities in the United Arab Emirates. In April 2013, the Arab Orients Club hosted a "all you can eat" event that was attended by both students and staff.
"The Humanitarian Club"
The RIT Dubai Humanitarian Club was established in 2011 to facilitate the collaboration and work of students who share a common interest in improving the community. In the early months of 2012, the club joined forces with the Sharjah Book Shelter.
Accessibility
The Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai is situated in the Dubai Silicon Oasis, a technology complex that is situated between Academic City and Mirdiff City Center. The University is situated approximately 15 minutes from the Dubai International Airport and 15 minutes from Etisalat Academy, which serves as student accommodation. In 2016, the Student Government organized weekly ASL courses to enhance the campus's accessibility for the deaf community. The classes were led by Mashal Waqar and Asher Kirschbaum.
