Registrar targets ties to industry

The new registrar of the British University in Dubai (BUiD) will try to strengthen links with industry by launching a series of new courses. Martin Prince has joined the BUiD after more than a decade with the University of the Arts London. Dr Abdullah al Shamsi, the vice chancellor, said Mr Prince was joining "at an important point" in the history of the university, which was founded in Knowledge Village in 2004. He said the university was now increasing its research activity and setting up a series of industry-related programmes.

"With significant international experience, he adds an important element to our growing faculty team," added Dr Shamsi. Mr Prince said he valued the links BUiD had with local companies and was keen to see them strengthened. "The dynamic partnership that exists between BUiD and local enterprises is one of its major strengths, providing it with a solid base for sector-specific research, as well as ensuring that it attracts working professionals looking to increase their qualifications and industry understanding," Mr Prince said.

Before joining BUiD, Mr Prince was also involved in developing the Fashion Retail Academy in the UK, a "skills academy" created as a public-private partnership. The BUiD describes itself as the Middle East's first postgraduate, research-based university. It is an autonomous institution, but each of its departments is linked to a British university. Among those it partners are Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester universities.

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