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Understanding and managing risk have become one of the key concerns to the public and private organizations and communities worldwide, and Abu Dhabi University Knowledge Group (ADUKG) is launching the International Center for Business Resilience to promote crisis management capacity building across the region, working closely with the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and other partners.
The Center will act as a hub for academics and practitioners dealing with important risks facing the region and will develop innovative and effective programs that respond to the emerging threats and challenges throughout the Middle East and around the world.
His Excellency Khaled Abdulla Al Mansoori, IAEM International Council and Head of Media Emergency and Crisis Management at the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority (NCEMA) of the UAE Higher National Security Council said of the launching of the Center, “Together, IAEM and Abu Dhabi University Knowledge Group will be launching a series of new initiatives to educate, train, and prepare professionals, citizens, and businesses to manage all crises that they may face.”
The new Center, based in Abu Dhabi University’s (ADU) Khalifa City Campus, will provide links to international centers throughout the world and will contribute to cutting edge research in business resilience and knowledge transfer activities in the UAE and the region. It will also offer a range of short and long term training courses, executive development and other outreach activities facilitating Government, and key stakeholders initiatives to promote improved resilience capability.
“In a rapidly emerging and vibrant economy, the center reflects the growing importance of the Emirates as an important regional and international player in an increasingly interconnected world. ADU is committed to develop a long-term, high quality program of courses and knowledge transfer in various fields such as business resilience,” said Dr. Nabil Ibrahim, Chancellor, Abu Dhabi University. “We provide applied research that drives regional economic development in all sectors and the launch of this Center provides a forum for analysis of emerging national and regional needs.”
Dr. Ahmed Badr, Chief Executive Officer, ADUKG, said, “The Center is a first of its kind in the region and is designed to bring together international excellence for teaching and training in business resilience meeting the needs of the Emirates and the wider Arab world. We aim to support academic and training development in the important area of business resilience, and engage in advanced research on application tools and practical strategies as well as produce specialist expertise in resilience.”
The Center will also provide a forum for professionals to improve awareness of and promote global best practices and standards as well as build the capacity and reputation of the partners across the region. Among its initial offerings are short courses in business resilience, professional degree level qualifications, consultancy services, and research into national and regional needs.
“As the world becomes more complex, interdependencies become increasingly important and all elements of society need to protect themselves against possible threats to their stability. We expect the center to establish an important forum for discussion and dissemination that will contribute to empirical research in this subject area and influence future decision and policy makers,” said Prof. Edward Borodzicz, Director of the International Center for Business Resilience.
“We intend to bring together different approaches towards the study of risk and resilience related issues, drawing from existing expertise in Abu Dhabi University and partnerships with similar centers of excellence in other parts of the world. But we will also provide immediate training support to local organizations wanting to protect themselves against future threats,” he added.
Assessment of key risk areas, review of national and international publications, sponsorship of research projects, active research and the design, implementation and evaluation of simulation exercises are amongst the main roles of the Center.
In relation to the Center’s key objectives, new post graduate qualifications will also be developed including a Taught Doctorate in Business Resilience. It will offer critical consultancy to the business community in areas of emergency response, crisis management, business resilience, crisis and disaster mitigation, and security reliance.
In addition, the Center will also facilitate the development of strong strategic alliances with international partners. It will also hold conferences on various risk-related themes as well as a wider platform of vocational programs and courses in risk assessment and management, security and business process improvement amongst others.
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