Mohamed Alabbar, Founder and Chairman of Emaar Properties PJSC, today unveiled plans for the regions first not-for-profit real estate educational Institute to provide world class training for developing a talented pool of senior managers and professionals in the real estate sector.

The centre of excellence, fully funded by Mr. Alabbar, will provide comprehensive training and educational programmes through an integrated approach that covers theoretical and practical training by drawing on real-world case studies.

Based on his personal contribution and leading role in making Dubai a global city, Mr. Alabbar seeks to put his knowledge and extensive experience to the service of the UAE, especially in the real estate sector by mentoring the new generation of professionals. In addition to visiting professors from the worlds most renowned universities as well as several highly successful personalities who have proved their competencies in the property sector, Mr. Alabbar will personally conduct lectures on a wide range of specialised topics.

Mr. Alabbar said: Over the last two decades, the UAEs property market has developed an international reputation for investment opportunities with the sector now accounting for nearly 20 per cent of the countrys GDP. This Institute is a token of my gratitude and appreciation to the UAE and its leadership for ensuring a remarkable growth environment that promotes private sector enterprise. It also complements the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who has been instrumental in driving the growth of the nation through ground-breaking policies that encourage investment and growth, especially in the private sector.

The institute will be a world-class training centre that covers all aspects of project development and management. It is a humble effort to give back to the nation and the community for the never-ending support that the private sector has received from the government. The centre aims to further elevate the UAEs competitiveness globally by nurturing and developing a talent pool of highly skilled real estate professionals, who will take the nations growth to the next level.

Mr. Alabbar said that when he entered the real estate sector, he did not have ample expertise, but has now gained a keen understanding of the sector across all global markets. I believe that it is imperative to share my experience, gained over the past 20 years, particularly in building globally renowned icons, with the next generation.

It is important to prepare them for the new era of growth in the UAE, in which the property sector will have a central role in driving all-round infrastructure growth. By sharing our skills, experience and know-how, we want to prepare and enable professionals to execute to global standards that will add to the nations civic pride.

Aspiring to embrace new ideas in a regional context, the institute will carefully structure its curriculum to cover all aspects of real estate development and management. Mr. Alabbar will personally identify the case studies based on his experience in delivering world-class projects developed by Emaar. These case studies will shed light on the unique challenges in project management, the strategies and approaches adopted to overcome them and the lessons learned. Participants will be able to understand Alabbars personal viewpoint in this regard, which will inspire and enable them to undertake global projects that make a strong economic impact.

The institute will target all real estate professionals from across the region including those who work in property development companies and financial entities. It also places a special focus on entrepreneurs as well as professionals from regulatory and governmental entities active in real estate and infrastructure development.

In the first phase, the institute will offer short-term training courses covering a wide spectrum of real estate development practices including sectors such as residential and commercial real estate, retail & malls and hospitality projects.

The curriculum will include:
Design: specialised short-term courses on the design aspects of real estate projects, especially aesthetics, sustainable design and modern architecture
Masterplan Development: dedicated to large-scale masterplan, challenges associated with it and steps to overcome them
Financial Viability: courses that tackle the practical aspects of a projects financial viability, funding options and valuation
Marketing: courses that focus on brand development and marketing
Customer Relation Management: courses on the importance of listening to customers and customer service management
Hospitality: courses that span all aspects of development, asset management, operations in the hospitality sector
Shopping Malls: courses about development, management, operations of malls and retail centres