The University of Wollongong in Dubai, UOWD, has celebrated a major achievement in its nearly 25-year history by conferring its 10,000th Degree at the University’s 32nd Graduation Ceremony.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Guest of Honour, presented Degrees to top graduates at the post-graduation segment of the ceremony. A total of 372 Undergraduate and Postgraduate students received their Degrees at the ceremony held at Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai.

In his welcome address, Professor Mohamed-Vall M. Salem Zein, President of UOWD, said, "We are proud to commemorate another landmark achievement in the university’s history, awarding our 10,000th Degree. We have come a long way from our humble beginnings in the UAE 24 years ago and are honoured to be able to deliver high-calibre graduates to represent the university in the global workforce".

"UOWD has established itself as a premium institution in the region, where academic excellence, research and teaching and community engagement provide unique opportunities for knowledge and skills development", he added.

Addressing the graduates at the postgraduate ceremony, Mahmood Al Bastaki, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Trade FZE and member of the UOWD External Advisory Council, praised the graduates for their efforts in completing their studies. He also encouraged the graduates to continuously improve their skills and knowledge to enable them to meet the demands and needs of a constantly changing world.

The graduation ceremonies were attended by Arthur Spyrou, Australian Ambassador to the UAE, Professor Paul Wellings CBE, Vice-Chancellor, UOW Australia, Joe Chicaro, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UOW Australia, Peter Robson, Chairman, UOWD Board, and Marisa Mastroianni, Group CEO and Managing Director of UOW Enterprises.

In a keynote speech at the undergraduate ceremony, Steven Young, President of Bosch Middle East, said, "As long as you stay true to your values and follow your dreams with passion, it doesn’t matter how and when you reach your goals. Embrace the challenges you may face in your life and try to turn them into opportunities. Be passionate about what you do in your personal and professional life and make time to do the things you love."

The Vote of Thanks on behalf of the graduates was delivered by Arohi Jaya Bangera, Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing, and Janice Remita Rodrigues, Master of Media and Communications.

Among this year’s winners of academic excellence were Alya Saeed Mudhafar Salem AlSaadi, Top Emirati graduate, Salma Rakhman, Top Graduate in Bachelor of Commerce, International Business, Maziar Malakoutykhah, Bachelor of Computer Science, Yulia Vlasova, Top Graduate in Master of Business Administration, and Murad Marwan Fawsi Sawalha, Top Graduate in Master of Engineering Management.

The University of Wollongong in Dubai is one of the UAE's oldest and most prestigious universities. Established in 1993 by the University of Wollongong in Australia, currently ranked amongst the leading universities in the world, UOW in Dubai represents a pioneering Australian initiative in the Gulf region. The university has more than 4,000 students and supports a network of more than 9,000 alumni.