As Internet technology universalized over the last
decade, the value of not just information but more specialized
knowledge increased exponentially. Basically, at present there isn't a
single commercial or non-commercial venture that could continue
functioning without having access to trained individuals and qualified
professionals. If time is money, then having workers with the most up
to date expertise will both save operational costs and boost revenues.
This is why among the numerous free zones which have made Dubai the
hottest commercial location in the world, the Dubai Knowledge Village
has made it its top business to gather together the world's best
educational institutions.Formed in 2003, the Dubai Knowledge Village is a kilometer long scenic multi-site campus based on Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed's vision of transforming the emirate into a knowledge based economy. As a member of Dubai Holding subsidiary TECOM investments, DKV offers facilities for academic and professional training, accreditation, and learning support activities. Since it's a free zone, it has managed to coax partnerships with the world's most prestigious institutions by offering them 100% foreign ownership, 100% exemption from taxes, 100% repatriation of assets and profits and many other day to day perks.
It is actually the world's only such free zone committed to professional training and learning support services. You can think of it as a super HR department that supports both individual training and corporate staffing solutions. In fact, DKV's institutions have secured placements for companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Sony Ericsson, Panasonic, WS Atkins, MAERSK, IRCA, Infosys and many more.
Even though it has no other match, the idea behind Dubai Knowledge Village was another sure bet that Sheikh Mohammed placed at the right time and, of course, at the right place. Nestled in between Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City the Knowledge Village is home to over 460 clients which include professional institutions for higher learning, training centers, education support services, management consultancies and research and development centers. The free zone fulfils a fundamental need for the region. Traditionally, people seeking higher or specialized education in Middle East and surrounding regions had to travel to Europe or North America for proper accreditation. Dubai Knowledge Village has thus brought the world's best to easily an accessible and centralized location.
Since Dubai is already attracting the biggest names in IT, media, finance, real estate, energy and development, it has a growing need for qualified professionals to staff the growing ventures, which is where some very impressive and world renowned institutions come into play by providing prospective employees the chance to be educated and trained in real time proximity to key industrial sectors.
There's the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, which is renowned for providing the most advanced programs in engineering sciences. BITS Pilani also offers joint internships with 274 companies (think of the biggest multinationals in the world), as well as Masters and Ph.D opportunities with institutions like Stanford University, Cornell University, University of Michigan, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University of Toronto and many more.
The American Academy of Financial Management is the only institution designed as a professional financial organization specifically for MBAs, CPAs, lawyers and PhDs. It's the crème brulée of higher education and its graduates are the sociopolitical and economics experts who issue white papers, publish books and reports that industry and political leaders around the world base their decisions on. Added to these two impressive names there's European University College Brussels, Middlesex University, Saint-Petersburg State University of Engineering and Economics and many more.
Since 2006, Dubai Knowledge Village has recorded a 40% growth, with student population nearly doubling every year. It has offered an environment of learning and human resource development in a bustling emirate where finding the right people is essential to the success of enterprises revolutionizing traditional business models.
References:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allaleh/3016258491/
http://www.ameinfo.com/188440.html
http://www.kv.ae/
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/10/obama.education/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Knowledge_Village
http://dubaiholding.com/en/media-centre/news/2008/November/dubai-knowledge-village-highlights-catalyst-role-of-emotional-intelligence-eq-for-organizational-growth/
http://www.dkvevents.ae/
http://www.britishcouncil.org/goingglobal2-sponsors-dubai-knowledge-village.htm
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/dubai-knowledge-village-has-over-400-companies-now_10080722.html
Leave a comment