DUBAI - MENA Herald: Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI), the educational arm of Dubai Land Department (DLD), has made essential contributions towards spreading knowledge and culture all across the real estate market. DREI has trained and developed more than 50 thousand students since 2009, and strives to raise the efficiency and expertise of those working in, or aspiring to, positions in various real estate sectors and activities. The organisation provides vitality to the real estate market through enhancements in sustainability training and development.
The first of its kind in the Middle East, DREI is also the only Arabic institute to enjoy membership of the Drafting Committee for global real estate policies, participating in the committee’s Habitat III Conference, which took place from 17 to 20 October 2016 in Quito, Ecuador. The institute also leads the biggest private sector sustainability initiatives in progress with the United Nations, having established an award in research and property studies as well as the Gulf Real Estate Awards for GCC real estate companies.
DREI also makes essential contributions towards raising the standards of global and regional real estate policies, by spearheading research and study initiatives that provide insight and advice for developing, neighbouring real estate markets. In order to boost its advisory position, and as an important arm of the Dubai Land Department (DLD), DREI organises over 76 courses annually, attracting nearly 15 thousand trainees and organising a total of 450 programmes so far.
Commenting on the important role of the DREI, Mahmoud Al Burai, Executive Director at the Dubai Real Estate Institute, said: "Graduates and trainees of our courses contribute to further developing the mechanisms of specialised government entities, both in the UAE and abroad. Many DREI graduates hold positions in the local, regional and global real estate markets, industriously working to develop the standards of this key sector.”
Al Burai added: “DREI strives to raise the efficiency and expertise of those working in, or aspiring to, positions in various real estate sectors and activities, as well as those consulting for Gulf and Arab governments. The institute’s experience in the real estate sector has grown exponentially since its launch in 2009 – testament to this is the DREI’s membership in international organisations which fall under the United Nations umbrella.”
Al Burai pointed out that the DREI now counts an impressive 2000 individuals among its members, including 800 Certified International Property Specialists and 700 enrolled in the Landlord Association Accreditation programme. Many of these individuals are also permanent members of a range of worldwide organisations that are partnered with the DREI.
Partnership with the University of Salford
For the first time in the UAE, and indeed the region, the institute provides unique educational opportunities for those working in the real estate market, offering sector professionals the chance to pursue higher education. By providing educational programmes and qualifications, the DEI supports candidates in achieving their future career aspirations. Registration is now open for those wishing to undertake a Master’s degree in Real Estate at the University of Salford in Manchester.
Master’s Degree in Real Estate and Property Management
The Master's Degree in Real Estate and Property Management, provided by Salford University, is recognised by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and the UAE Ministry of Higher Education.
The degree curriculum spreads across three semesters of study, focusing on the mechanisms of the commercial real estate market and its relationship to both local and global financial and investment markets. Advanced legal, economic and information technology modules are also covered, serving to fully prepare students for effective career advancement in the real estate industry.
Great Achievements
In collaboration with the International Real Estate Federation, the DREI will host the 69th ‘World Real Estate Congress’ 2018 in Dubai, making it the first city in the Middle East to host the congress. The event is expected to attract over a thousand real estate experts from around 60 countries, facilitating the exchange of views and encouraging an exploration of the future of cities.
Al Burai concluded that winning the bid to host the conference was the result of the combined efforts of the Dubai Real Estate Institute and The Dubai Business Events, with the support of other local partners including the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. This accomplishment reinforces Dubai's status and reputation as the regional hub for real estate business events, and also highlights the emirate as an attractive global investment destination. The conference will shed light on international and local real estate markets, in a sector which is characterised by continuous development, an innovative approach towards direct foreign investment, and the development of regulatory procedures.
The most important Dubai Real Estate Institute achievements of 2016:
The DREI hosted 200 experts and specialists from across the ‘future of cities’ field for the largest real estate brainstorming session in the UAE. The Institute collated the most significant ideas and recommendations from this session in a report that was presented to the United Nations. The future of cities section within this report has since been adopted in the Habitat III Conference, recently held in Ecuador during October of last year.
During the Habitat III Conference, the DREI organised two important workshops to stimulate creative thinking for Middle Eastern real estate policies, as well as accommodation policies for low-income individuals. The workshops were attended by delegations representing the governments and private sectors of nearly 50 countries.
Based on these accomplishments, the United Nations selected the Institute to hold a forum for urban planning experts in October 2017, which will feature on the sidelines of the Governing Council meeting of UN-Habitat's World Urban Campaign.
In collaboration with the ‘Impact Hub’, the Institute launched the Accelerators Real Estate Program for local projects in the real estate field. This initiative provides backing for the new owners of real estate projects, as well as environmental support, and 20 Emirati entrepreneurs so far have graduated from the program.
The DREI also held a course last year regarding the future of cities, which primarily focused on sustainable smart cities. This was held in collaboration with Harvard University and attended by approximately 50 employees from the public and private sectors, in order to provide the region with opinion leaders in the real estate field.
The DREI has expanded its courses beyond the local scope, reaching the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, where the Institute has held sessions for real estate evaluation for 30 trainees from across the Jordanian real estate market. The Institute has subsequently increased its course offering across Gulf borders to Jordan and Egypt, as part of its expansion plans aimed at increasing awareness of the regional real estate industry.
