TARUN JAIN, Head of Dubai Design Academy (DDA), tells Solitaire why this latest DMCC initiative is soon becoming one of the most sought-after design institutions in the gems and jewellery industry.
Why did DMCC start the Dubai Design Academy? What is the correlation between the Dubai Design Academy and DMCC?
The Dubai Design Academy (DDA) is a DMCC initiative located at the heart of the gold and diamond trade in the region and the world. It is a multifaceted jewellery training school, the first of its kind in the region, combining education, practical training and internship programmes. DMCC established the DDA to address the growing demand for talented jewellery designers and innovators in Dubai and beyond. We are here to help students think, design, develop and trade. Our graduates will leave the academy with the skill set to design their own jewellery concepts, set up their own businesses and start trading immediately through DMCC.
At DMCC, we are constantly looking for opportunities to grow and expand the services we offer particularly when it comes to commodities. Today, we stand as one of the leading global diamond and jewellery trading hubs and we have the Dubai Diamond Exchange, the only bourse in the Middle East affiliated with the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB). We are also to be the home of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX), the region’s leading derivatives exchange and the only one allowing global participants to trade, clear and settle transactions within the Gulf region. As such, the decision to launch the DDA is perfectly aligned with our mandate as the world’s leading free zone for commodities trade and enterprise.
What are the unique features of the Dubai Design Academy?
The DDA offers the first-of-its-kind jewellery design curriculum in the region combining both design and manufacturing courses. Comprising the latest design software, digital tools, equipment and workshop facilities, the facility will offer students an environment that is conducive to learning and experimenting with innovative ideas. Both the software and the curriculum are designed by industry leaders for jewellery traders, enthusiasts and aspiring designers.
Today, the academy can accommodate up to 40 students at any given time. We also have around 60 jewellery retailers in UAE and 20 internationally who are interested in partnering with us to facilitate internship placements for our professional course students.
By enrolling in some of our courses, students will obtain the CAD software licence, which is usually an expensive stand-alone product. Our students will also learn the basics of CAD, which in turn can be applied to any software in any industry.
What are the courses that you are offering in DDA? Are these diploma or degree courses?
We have a variety of courses on offer that cater to enthusiasts, beginners and professionals alike. Our courses are divided into three categories: professional, technical, and courses for corporates. One-day workshops for consumers and enthusiasts and courses solely dedicated to youth, from ages 13 onwards.
The Professional Course is composed of two modules and will take five months to complete following which the participant will receive a number of internationally recognised Professional Certificates. The first module focuses on Design Development & Introduction to the vast resources Library of Gemstones & precious metals. It will also provide an introduction to the world of 3D designing on CAD, complete hands-on training on professional jewellery equipment and 3D printing techniques. A special 4-day intensive session on Gemmology & Diamonds will provide knowledge on technical aspects of designing. The second module is dedicated to Advanced 3D designing of jewellery and hands-on training of the complete manufacturing process, followed by Jewellery Photography and Graphics designing for business promotion.
Other courses offered include the technical courses, which will be shorter in duration (6-10 days), specifically focused on advanced CAD designing on the most powerful and fastest jewellery design software, Matrix-V9 / Matrix Gold. It is aimed at design professionals who want to upscale their skill set in 3D designing. The corporate course is a 3-day customised training programme for existing employees of the trade. We also offer one-day jewellery workshops that aim to educate the attendees on different topics including possibilities on 3D designing, redesigning old jewellery, the specifics of diamonds, gemstones, precious metals and their valuation.
For the youth, we also offer a workshop specifically dedicated to those aged 13 and above to introduce them to the industry, in turn creating potential career paths for them to consider later on. It is also a way for them to discover their talents and familiarise themselves with digital software that can be of use to them in a number of different industries.
How will the courses be certified?
The DDA is licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), an educational quality assurance and regulatory authority of the Government of Dubai, UAE. We also partnered with Gemvision, which will provide the software and techniques of digital manufacturing. In addition, our Matrix training is fully recognised by the jewellery industry across the world.
Have enrolments for the year already begun?
Enrolments will begin in August and courses will start in Q4 2019. Anyone who would like to register their interest can do so by visiting the dedicated website: www.dubaidesignacademy.com
Where is the complex situated?
The Dubai Design Academy is located in the iconic Almas Tower in the DMCC Free Zone, providing students with unique access to every step of the jewellery value chain. As part of the DMCC Free Zone, the academy will have access to over 1,200 of the world’s most renowned jewellery manufacturers, retailers and traders.
How big is the Dubai jewellery manufacturing market in terms of value and volume? Is the market veering towards CAD/CAM made jewellery?
Today, most jewellery sold in Dubai is imported from various parts of the world. The growth of jewellery manufacturing industry in Dubai is the need of the hour, which will bring a self-dependency for the jewellery value chain in Dubai.
We also acknowledge that innovation and technology are restructuring most sectors – and jewellery design is definitely one of them. Therefore, using CAD technology for jewellery design is now extremely popular and is being used by the world’s most renowned jewellery manufacturers. It allows jewellers to design unique, complex and intricate pieces with the utmost precision and detail, while also enabling designers to save a lot of time and resources – in turn impacting the price and affordability of the pieces.
Are there enough opportunities for students to get job placements after the course?
As an academy, our role is to provide our students with a well-rounded knowledge of diamonds, gemstones, precious metals and hands-on experience with the latest digital design and manufacturing equipment to support their career path. We are guided by the concept of “Think, Design, Develop, Trade”. DDA’s unique Incubator programme enables aspiring entrepreneurs to set up their own businesses by providing them with the right tools for success.
What is your role in DDA? Will you be teaching there as well?
I am pleased to be heading the Dubai Design Academy, where my main responsibility is to shape the academy’s curriculum content and delivery. I will conduct special sessions in each batch at an advanced level. The courses are driven by a passionate team who bring in a wealth of experience in jewellery design, manufacturing, retail management, import and export, and wholesale trade.
We will also be liaising with participants, partners and mentors to enhance and accelerate the skills, knowledge and expertise of professional jewellers and aspiring entrepreneurs enrolled in our different programmes.