Nineteen male and female students from the Doctoral Programme in Innovation Management, offered by the College of Education and Administrative and Technical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), have received the Certified Innovation Manager certificate from Leipzig University, Germany. 

This achievement follows the completion of study requirements that include analysing business models and value propositions, innovative processes, innovation strategy, and organisational culture through practical applications and entrepreneurial projects related to the needs of the Gulf labour market.

Prof. Odeh Al Jayyousi, AGU's Innovation Management Department Head, emphasised that the Doctoral Programme in Innovation at AGU is committed to building on the academic excellence that the programme has achieved since its launch in 2016. 

"The programme works diligently to train future leaders in the field of innovation using all available means. This is part of the university's strategy to localise the culture of innovation, stimulate entrepreneurship, facilitate digital transformation, and apply artificial intelligence in the context of the knowledge economy," he stated.

He highlighted the importance of encouraging graduate students to explore new horizons in utilising technology, innovation, and digital transformation, which are essential tools of the modern era that enhance progress and development in all scientific and practical fields. 

"The programme continuously encourages them to participate and engage with various entrepreneurial experiences to create innovative solutions that add value to their academic and scientific lives, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity," he stressed, adding: "The partnership with Leipzig University opens up broad horizons for students to learn about the best global practices in the field of innovation, contributing to the development of an educational environment that meets the needs of the Gulf and international markets."

For their part, the students who obtained the Certified Innovation Manager certificate from Leipzig University expressed their pride and satisfaction with the academic progress they achieved during their doctoral studies, affirming that the programme helped them develop their analytical and creative skills in the field of innovation.

This will qualify them to actively contribute to the development of their institutions and support economic and technological growth in the region. They also appreciated  AGU's commitment to supplying the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with competencies and leaders who believe in innovation and its crucial role in achieving the national vision of the GCC states. 

They expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the valuable and beneficial information provided by Professor Utz Donberger from Leipzig University, Germany, during their studies for this professional certificate.

It is worth mentioning that AGU continues to enhance its academic programmes in collaboration with global educational institutions to provide advanced educational opportunities for graduate students, aiming for leadership in higher education. 

The Doctoral Programme in Innovation Management offered by AGU is one of the unique academic programmes in the region, as it contributes to developing the leadership capabilities of students and prepares them to make a positive impact in the field of innovation across various sectors by promoting modern management concepts and stimulating creative thinking.

So far, 65 students from the GCC countries have graduated from the Innovation Management Programme at the master's and doctoral levels, and they are active, influential, and prominent figures in the fields of education, health, media, business management, technology, and other vital sectors. 

The programme focuses on research areas including innovation policies, digital innovation, knowledge and innovation management, leadership and innovation, and sustainable and open innovation.