Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai (RIT Dubai) is a satellite campus of Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The college is located in the Dubai Silicon Oasis and started offering part-time graduate courses in Fall 2008. In 2009, the university began its full-time graduate program. RIT Dubai's first graduating class was in 2010, with the graduation ceremony taking place in Rochester, NY. In 2010, a full-time undergraduate program was started as part of the university's planned expansion. In the fall of 2011, RIT Dubai moved its campus to a new premises to accommodate the growing student body. By 2019, RIT plans to expand the campus to to provide facilities for 4,000 students.
The RIT Dubai campus is the Rochester Institute of Technology's third international campus. The university's other satellite campuses are RIT Croatia and RIT Kosovo.
History
Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai was established in Dubai Silicon Oasis in 2008 to provide quality higher education in the region. It has bachelors and masters programs for students and professionals in Middle East, North Africa and South East Asia.
The founding president of RIT Dubai is Mustafa A.G. Abushagur. who led the efforts to establish a satellite campus in the middle east. He mediated the negotiations between the Rochester Institute of Technology and the government of the United Arab Emirates to set up a campus at the Dubai Silicon Oasis in Dubai, UAE.
Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai became the symbol of the understanding between RIT president William W. Destler and officials from Dubai. The Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority invited Rochester Institute of Technology to ensure a pool of skilled hi-tech professionals in the community. On the other hand, it provided RIT with a chance to act on its strategic plan to enhance global opportunities for their students and extend their platform.
In 2013, Dr. Youssef Al Assaf was appointed as the new president of Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai following the leave of Mustafa A.G. Abushagur who became the first elected prime minister in the modern history of Libya.
In February 2019, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) marked the commencement of the construction works of the new RIT Dubai campus. The 500 million AED project is scheduled for completion in 2023, with a first phase planned to be achieved by Q1 2020.
Academics
The academic programs offered in Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai are the same as those offered in New York campus and all students earn the same degree as those studying at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. All programs have been approved and accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) in the UAE.
Undergraduate programs
RIT Dubai began offering Bachelor of Science degrees in fall 2010 with a range of major program options and concentrations. The different majors offered at RIT Dubai are: Business Management Marketing International Business Finance Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Microelectronics Engineering - 2+2 Program - Spend 2 years in Dubai studying Electrical Engineering + 2 years completing your degree in NY campus studying Microelectronics Engineering. Industrial Engineering Computing & Information Sciences Computer Security Computing & Information Technologies
These undergraduate programs are designed for full-time study wherein students combine practical experience with academic foundations and an emphasis on modern and newly developed technologies. Students have the opportunity to study abroad at the New York campus and fulfill part of their degree requirement by attending classes there.
Graduate programs
Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai began offering graduate degree programs in September 2008 in several different disciplines. The masters programs have been selected to support the need for professional development, economic growth and human capital development in Dubai and the Persian Gulf region. All masters programs are part-time programs and classes are offered in a variety of formats and timings to accommodate convenience for working professionals.
The Masters programs offered are: Service Leadership and Innovation Networking and systems administration Electrical engineering Mechanical engineering Engineering management Professional Studies: City Science Pending approval from Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research