In recognition of its academic excellence, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) received two gold awards at the 2023 Middle East and North Africa Stevie Awards®, making it the only university in the region to receive these prestigious awards.

ADU received the Gold Award in ‘Excellence in Innovation in Business Product and Service Industries - Organizations with 100 or More Employees’ in recognition of the University's pioneering innovative educational model. Furthermore, the University won the Gold Award in ‘Innovative Use of Technology in Customer Service - Other Service Industries’ for the University's Innovative and Smart Education System model.

The Gold, Silver and Bronze award winners were determined by the average score of more than 150 executives worldwide, representing six judging panels.

Dr. Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi University (ADU), affirmed the University's pride on this occasion, saying, “The awards are monumental milestones that build on the University’s never-ending success journey. This recognition translates the institution’s ongoing efforts to enhance the academic experience for students while integrating the latest advanced technologies to provide a distinguished educational journey.”

Dr. Bin Harmal explained that the University possesses an advanced infrastructure that constantly elevates smart and electronic applications in various areas of the educational experience, including scientific and applied research as well as student communication. Similar initiatives have enabled the University to withstand global issues, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to provide students with an outstanding academic experience.

Maggie Miller, President of the Stevie Awards, commented, “We are delighted to recognize the achievements of such a diverse group of organizations across the MENA region in the 2023 edition of the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards. The quality of nominations received this year was exceptional. The program has grown every year, showing the vast amount of innovation in the MENA region.”

ADU has made great strides in transitioning to remote learning and employing the latest technologies and virtual innovations since the Covid-19 pandemic. The University’s efforts focused on providing a comprehensive virtual academic experience for undergraduate and postgraduate students through harnessing the capabilities of modern technology such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and 3D technology in its curricula. Moreover, ADU launched videos with a full viewing angle (360 degrees) to provide students with advanced visual presentation capabilities for the laboratory courses as well as provide them with the necessary support during the virtual learning sessions. ADU’s adoption of innovative solutions has contributed to the learning of more than 7,000 students, and the registration of more than 50,000 lectures during the distance learning process for faculty and students.

ADU's distance learning and online lecture mechanisms leverage a suite of robust learning management systems, providing a reliable and clear interface for collaboration between students and faculty in a secure manner. Tools for participation and interaction in the distance learning process include Microsoft Teams, Workspace, Learning Management System, Virtual Desktop, Blackboard Learn, Single Sign-On Technology, and Two-Factor Authentication. ADU was recognized for its excellence in online learning, earning the highest rating of five stars in the prestigious Quacquarelli Symonds - QS Stars Rating 2021. It also achieved an outstanding overall score of 95% in the Online Learning category and a full score in student-faculty engagement, student interaction, student services and technology, online outsourcing, and commitment to online learning.

In February 2022, Abu Dhabi University launched the ‘ADU SMART Learning Center’ in an ambitious effort to advance smart learning in the UAE and the wider MENA region. The Center is strengthening ADU’s E-learning practices and curriculum by leveraging technology and research. Covering ADU campuses in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi, the Center, launched with the vision of merging technologies across face-to-face and online learning to further enhance the student journey, trains faculty in inclusive, student-centered, and evidence-based teaching techniques.

To learn more about Abu Dhabi University's programs, please visit: https://www.adu.ac.ae/home

Details of the MENA Stevie Awards and the list of winners are available at: http://MENA.Stevieawards.com