Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority signed an agreement with the American University of Sharjah to offer a new innovative course in tourism management to senior SCTDA employees. A formal agreement was sealed by SCTDA Chairman Mohamed Ali Al Noman and Dr Peter Heath, Chancellor of American University of Sharjah today (Monday, February 20) at the American School of business and management in the University City of Sharjah (American University of Sharjah)

The Tourism Management Program will be studied over 13 months and is the first of its kind in the UAE. The initiative between the Authority and the prestigious American University is aimed at developing SCTDA’s human resources to meet the global challenges of the next decade.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Al Noman said “the tourism market is in a period of fast and exciting growth, set against a climate of global challenges and economic uncertainty. We have to keep our knowledge base current and continuously invest in it, if we are to meet the challenges of the next decade. Sharjah is operating in an increasingly competitive international market place and I firmly believe that this new development with the American University will enable us to professionally capitalize on international opportunities as they present themselves to us.”

The new Tourism Management Program includes lectures and workshops covering management and tourism modules as diverse as marketing, tourism, mission focused teams and globalization. The management modules are written against the Institute of management and leadership criteria, while the tourism modules have been modeled on criteria from educational institutions recognized internationally for their work in tourism.

H.E. Al Noman went on to say “This new programme represents a significant milestone for the SCTDA which will ensure that the Authority will be ready to positively meet the challenges of the next decade. We are looking forward to taking this training even further over the next few years and I am convinced that this new initiative will be the foundation and cornerstone of the Authority and Sharjah’s future success”