Students Participation in the Governance of the University

UD thoroughly encourages students’ participation in different activities that contribute towards the university’s improvement and the decision-making process. The institution is highly concerned with providing the best services and learning environment to its students and allow them to accomplish their goals and learning outcomes as per the university’s standards. Throughout the year, different committees are established by students and councils to assist the operations of the academic units. Such committees include Course Offering and Textbook Committee, Ethics and Values Committee (University Level), Information Technology (IT) Committee, Outstanding Faculty Award Committee, Commencement Committee, QAIE Audit Committee. Additional committees can be developed and added as needed.

Student Activities

Policy 

DSS provides undergraduate and graduate students with innovative extracurricular programs and opportunities to form clubs and organizations that promote health, wellness, leadership, ethics, and values, and prepares them for their responsibilities as progressive and engaged global citizens. The DSS also recognizes those who show extraordinary commitment and dedication through their outstanding academic performance and through their volunteerism and exemplary leadership roles in various activities, programs and events. 

Some of the programs organized/supported by the DSS include the following:

1. Orientation

At the beginning of each semester/term, the DSS organizes a 3-week orientation program for students. Orientation aims to provide a smooth and successful start for new UD students by creating activities and sessions to welcome and help them familiarize with the university’s faculty, staff, departments, services and facilities. Activities include a campus tour, presentations and even games and surprises. 

2. Social and Cultural Programs
DSS organizes social and cultural events to further its goal of promoting relations between UD and the community. DSS conducts vibrant and extensive social and cultural programs that ensure the students’ participation, thereby enhancing ones’ understanding and appreciation of the various cultures and social impact to the community.

3. Sports and Recreational Programs  
To promote sportsmanship, camaraderie and a healthy lifestyle, intramural activities are organized by the DSS in a friendly yet competitive environment. Tournaments are held for sports activities such as football, basketball, bowling, billiards and foosball. UD sports clubs compete against higher education institutions as part of the Higher Education Sports Federation, which consists of colleges and universities in Dubai and other Emirates in the UAE. 

4. Students Union  
The University of Dubai’s Student Union (UDSU) was established to develop a sense of belonging, foster an independent, proactive and responsible student body, and to provide a range of social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities in which students can participate. The UDSU election is held at the end of the academic year (April/May). UDSU acts as a link between students and top management. See Appendix I for Student Union Bylaws and Appendix II for Student Union Constitution.

5. Students Organizations/Clubs  
Student organizations/clubs are an integral part of the learning process at UD as they allow students to pursue personal interests and hobbies outside the classroom, learn leadership skills by handling responsibilities and meet/interact with other people. Clubs cover a wide range of activities like sports, music and recreation, as well as cultural and social interests.  DSS provides all the needed guidance to organize and register your group and identify appropriate faculty advisors. As a recognized student organization, the club will have access to funds generated from activity fees. The Emirati group, sustainability group are examples of the active student organizations. If you do not see a group that meets your interest, you can simply start your own in consultation with the DSS. See Appendix III for Student Organization Bylaws and Appendix IV for Student Organization Constitution.

 

6. Volunteer / Outreach Programs 
UD provides opportunities for UD students to participate in several volunteer programs and events that promote a positive impact on the community, and improve the quality of life for others. These programs also help raise awareness and promote learning from a different perspective. 

7. Events
DSS in collaboration with the UDSU and other UD groups organize a variety of activities throughout the year with the objective of breaking down barriers between cultures and celebrate diversity in different ways. These events provide students with the opportunity to meet other members of the UD community, learn something new, and at the same time have fun. Some of the events organized annually include:

• UAE National Day celebration

• Ramadan Iftar gathering

• Barbeque trips

• Desert safari

• Talent night

• UD Bazaar 

• International Day Festival

 

8. Awards Programs 
In recognition of the students’ outstanding academic achievement and support to UD’s various events and activities, the DSS, in collaboration with UD Colleges hold the following awards programs throughout the academic year:

1. Honor Student Awards:
   Every semester, the Honor Student event is organized by the colleges to recognize the high academic performance of undergraduate students with GPA of at least 3.2/4 and graduate students with 3.6/4 and above.

2. DSS Award Ceremony
   DSS Award Ceremony is a yearly event where the most active students are recognized and honored for their achievements, contributions, or excellence in events linked to the DSS during the previous Fall and Spring semesters. The event is organized at the end of the Spring Semester in the presence of the President of the University, along with other Top Management. During the Ceremony, the DSS will recognize four categories:

 

1. Best Club of the Year

The best club will be awarded according to the following criteria:

1. Total number of UD Events

2. Total number of views / attendees

3. Teamwork

4. Award Certificate

5. Innovative ideas

Note: The 4 best clubs will be selected based on the above criteria and then students will vote. Student’s votes will count for 40%. DSS scoring criteria will count for 60%

  2. Presidential Medal for Student Leadership

Maximum of 3 UD students will receive this award. All the following criteria must be met:

• Worked on at least 5 initiatives implemented at UD during the academic year.

• Led a team of at least 5 students.

• Accomplished vital or significant tasks/projects which had a positive impact on student’s life.

 

3. Trophy of High Achievement

Maximum of 10 UD students will receive this award. All the following criteria must be met:

• Showed a high involvement during UD events.

• Participated / Worked on a minimum of 5 UD events/actions.

Note: Bonus points will be given to students who won certificates during the year.

 

4. UD Ambassador

Maximum 5 UD students will receive this award. All the following criteria must be met:  

• Participated / Worked on a minimum of 5 events / actions.

• Spent a minimum of 50h in events representing UD.

• Exhibited  excellent behavior. 

Career Services Policy

Policy 

Internship and Career Development Center (ICDC) Responsibilities

UD is committed to providing comprehensive career services to students and alumni that are based on the best practices and international standards in career development. These services will be designed to support students in their career planning, job search strategies, and career management. Career services provided by ICDC include the following: 

1. Career Services

1.1 One-to-One Career Counseling 

       Individual counseling appointments are available to help students:

1. Develop additional career building tools and skills such as résumé and cover letter writing, interview techniques and job search strategies etc.

2. Arrange mock interviews. Learn to explore educational and career alternatives and develop career decision-making skills.

3. Relate educational experiences to career planning decisions and academic qualifications to work opportunities.

1.2 Career Workshop

A variety of career development and job search workshops are conducted throughout the year. Workshops focusing on, for example, interview skills, resume preparation and the steps in conducting a job search are also held. These workshops are facilitated by ICDC career counselors, alumni and professionals from various business sectors.

 

1.3 Alumni Career Information Session
Graduating students are invited to take part in the Alumni Career Information session. This exclusive event is for students in their third year to meet, network with alumni and ask about their working experience, what they like and dislike about what they do, pathways into the field, etc. This is arranged according to students’ majors.

 

1.4 Job Shadowing

This program creates opportunities for students to explore career fields within business, government, and non-profit work environments.  Students visit a host organization coordinated by the ICDC for one to three days and learn first-hand how classroom learning can be linked to career choices and further educational goals.

 

1.5 Career Resource File/Career Library  

The Career Library contain a comprehensive collection of the following career material and information:

1. Numerous books, software and videos relating majors to careers.

2. Information on interviewing techniques, resume writing and sample cover letters.

3. Information on the occupational and labor market and information on skills necessary for job searches.

4. Resources and directories that provide various statistics and salary information.

5. Database on organizations with listing of the personnel responsible for recruiting.

6. Websites of prospective employers recruiting on campus.

7. Computers for students to use for a job search, career research, resume preparation and career assessment.

1.6 Industry Visits
Industry visits offer a unique opportunity to tour an employer office with a small group of students and gain inside knowledge about the industry directly from the professionals within the organization.

2. Job Placement 

2.1 Employment File 
Students and fresh graduates can open an employment file at the ICDC. This file contains the student’s name, copy of the student’s passport, UAE National ID, resume, and other important documents that are needed for job applications. The employment file is forwarded by the unit to prospective employers upon their request.

2.2 Job Fair
Each year the ICDC organizes a job fair inviting various employers representing governmental organizations and private institutions to visit the UD campus and meet with the students. This enriches the students’ networking database and provides them with more job opportunities. In addition, the ICDC involves UD students in various job fairs and open days that are organized throughout the country.

2.3 Open Day 
A space equipped with chairs and tables will be provided to companies who wish to meet students for their recruitment needs. Alongside the recruitment agenda, companies are free to bring along their marketing paraphernalia and corporate giveaways to promote their products and services. The Open Day request must be submitted to the icdc@ud.ac.ae at least three (3) weeks prior to the intended date of visit subject to ICDC’s approval.     

2.4 Job Listings
Employers are invited to post their employment opportunities with UD by emailing a job posting to the ICDC. Employers are also encouraged to provide printed material and electronic links to information about their organization to be used as resource materials by students and graduates involved in a job search.Job opportunities are advertised to UD students and alumni within 3 working days, free of charge.

2.5 Graduate Electronic Resume Book 
Each year, ICDC produces an electronic resume book containing resumes of fresh graduates. The link for the E-Resume Book is uploaded on the UD ICDC webpage http://ud.ac.ae/icdc/employer.php and is sent out to potential employers so that they can access it whenever they may need to hire UD graduates. 

2.6 On-campus Interviews
On-campus interviews offer students the opportunity to interview with a number of organizations for a variety of positions throughout the year. 
On-campus requests  must be submitted to the icdc@ud.ac.ae at least three (3) weeks prior to the intended date of visit subject to ICDC’s approval.    

2.7 Video Conference 
Interviewing university students via video conference has become a common practice for many employers, especially in recent years with the advancement of technology and the increasing acceptance of remote work. The university is equipped with a video conference facility to enable off-site interview sessions with employers.

3. Corporate Alliances 
ICDC has signed several MoU’s with various organizations from the government and private sector for providing student internships and offering job placement for UD students and graduates. In addition to hosting industry experts as guest speakers, ICDC has also developed an effective network of contacts by partnering with various local recruitment firms, thus creating more opportunities for UD students.      

3.1 Employers Recognition Night
The ICDC hosts a networking event which aims to promote recruitment of UD students and graduates either for internship or full-time jobs. The event also aims to honor the best partner recruiter and internship provider for the current academic year. Details of the event are posted on the UD website.

4. Evaluation
The evaluation process for the Internship and Career Development Center (ICDC) at the University is designed to assess and enhance the quality and effectiveness of the services provided to both students and employers. The evaluations will provide valuable insights, identify areas for improvement, and ensure the continuous enhancement of the center’s offerings and overall partnership between the university and employers. Collected survey data is compiled and analyzed by the QAIE. Key findings with recommended actions for improvement will be shared with ICDC and concerned colleges for implementation.

Residential Life Policy

Policy 

• At present, the University of Dubai does not offer campus accommodation for students.

• The Admission and Marketing department may assist students by suggesting off-campus accommodation options near the campus, enabling them to make independent choices for their living arrangements.

• The university does not own or manage any student residences. All recommended accommodations are external, and students are responsible for their choices.

• Students are encouraged to independently assess and decide on housing options based on their preferences and needs.

• Students must review and understand lease agreements with external residences. The university is not liable for any issues arising from leasing or living conditions.

• While not managing residences, the university remains committed to student well-being. In case of concerns or emergencies related to accommodation, students should seek guidance from local authorities.

Health Services

Policy 

The University offers basic health services including awareness programs to its students, staff and faculty members.

 

1. Health Services 

The University has an on-campus registered nurse available to address any medical emergency affecting UD students, staff or faculty members. For major incidents, the nurse or security personnel shall call the ambulance for the appropriate action.

1. Health Awareness 

Health Awareness Programs provide community health education focusing on preventive measures to develop the student’s awareness on how to avoid or deal with various illnesses and injuries, and how to lead a healthy lifestyle. These programs are conducted in partnership with top medical companies specializing in dental, optical, wellness and slimming, skin, hygiene, and dairy and nutritional products.

The Health Center in collaboration with various medical centers under the Department of Health Authority (DHA) organizes:

• Free screenings and tests for various medical problems such as diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, vision, and body mass index 

• Blood donation campaigns, and 

• Environmental campaigns to promote a sustainable and healthy environment.  

To ensure that students have access to healthy and nutritional food, the Health Center regularly conducts meetings and checks with the cafeteria concessionaire. In addition, a survey is also administered to get the feedback of students regarding the food, service and cleanliness of the cafeteria.  

 

2. Counseling Services

UD offers its current students some counseling services aiming at helping students overcome some of the challenges accompanying their education.

 

A. Student Counseling

  Students often experience stress (e.g., personal, social, and financial) during their university life. While many students cope, others feel frustrated and overwhelmed. The counselor at the Student Counseling Unit (SCU) is expected to support UD students by addressing and helping them successfully overcome academic, psychological, social, relational and personal challenges at UD. 

  

  B. Services

The Student Counseling Unit offers, within the limits of its resources, confidential and culturally appropriate counseling services to all registered students experiencing problems or concerns that affect their personal academic progress and sense of well-being. Students often seek counseling to examine issues such as relationships, family problems, stress, cultural differences, assertiveness, self-esteem, depression and anxiety. The services include:

1. Individual Counseling: This is provided to students concerned about personal, social, academic and moral issues. The process may take up to six (6) sessions depending on the case. Each session lasts between 45 to 60 minutes.

2. Group Counseling: This is provided to students with similar concerns but in a group format. Groups are typically formed of 6 to 8 students, and meet weekly, for a period of 60 to 90 minutes.

3. Consultations: These are usually one-off sessions for urgent matters to help students in making the right decisions.

4. Training programs and life skills workshops include such topics as: exam stress, time-management skills and social skills.

C. Referring Students for Counseling
To refer a student to the counselor, faculty members and staff complete the referral form and send it to DSS.
Students may show signs of stress in different ways. Warning signs help in identifying the student’s need for counseling. These signs may include: 

1. Change from high to low grades Excessive absences from classes and exams.

2. Depressed mood, anxiety, inferior feeling, and stress.

3. Sudden change in behavior or appearance. 

4. Inability to remain awake in class.

5. Expressed suicidal feelings.

6. Disruptive or violent behavior.

7. Confused speech, disorganized or irrational thoughts.