Saudi university teams up with HRCI for Vision 2030

The University of Business and Technology (UBT) and its Continuing Education Center (CEC) in Jeddah has announced it will soon offer international human resource management credentials from the HR Certification Institute (HRCI), provider of the HR credentials for professionals in more than 100 countries.
Credentials from Alexandria, Virginia-based HRCI include US-based and internationally focused designations that recognize various levels of HR professional excellence in the US and abroad. Providing international HRCI certifications and certification preparation expands the university’s executive education offerings in response to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 mission to raise the standards of HR performance in the public and private sectors.
“The HR body of knowledge is essential for driving business results through the establishment of performance management standards, employee training and development, leadership development and the creation of work environments that provide equal opportunities for all workers,” said Amy Schabacker Dufrane, SPHR, CAE, CEO of HRCI. “The UBT CEC alliance will greatly expand the reach of HRCI certifications and HR excellence in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.”
UBT CEC will initially offer the Associate Professional in Human Resources — International (aPHRi) to its university seniors and MBA students with a major in human resources. The university will also make the Professional in Human Resources — International (PHRi) and Senior Professional in Human Resources — International (SPHRi) available to HR professional candidates and senior professional candidates with strategic HR leadership roles.
No prerequisite HR experience is required for candidates to apply for the aPHRi, a knowledge-based certification. The PHRi and SPHRi, which demonstrate knowledge and practice-based competencies, require prerequisite levels of HR experience and education. Certification candidates must also demonstrate HR knowledge and competency by successfully passing HRCI exams. Certification preparation courses will also be available from UBT CEC. “The highly reputed, credible and career-oriented certifications from HRCI will offer significant added value to HR professionals in line with the country’s Vision 2030,” said Amir Dhia, UBT CEC director. “To address the strategies, challenges and changes of work, human resources, more than ever, is a top priority for organizations and management, whether in Saudi Arabia or elsewhere around the world.”