The Government of Dubai Land Department (LD) to introduce on February 2012 the continuing education program for real estate brokers which is considered the second phase of empowering brokers working in Dubai real estate market through vocational training courses. The courses will be introduced by the Dubai Real Estate Institute (DREI), the educational arm of the LD in collaboration with Real Estate Licensing Department in Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA). These courses are developed on academic basis and aimed at improving the efficiency of people working in the real estate market.
DREI has opened the registration in the continuing education program for brokers through three professional courses a month.
Yousif Al Hashimi, Director of RERA’s Real Estate Licensing Department said “RERA is keen to provide a appropriate environment for practicing real estate activity, enhance investment in Dubai real estate market and building confidence of employees and investors. The professional real estate empowering courses in cooperation with DREI targets people working in the various field of this sector and for those looking to enhance their knowledge about Dubai real estate sector. The courses also promote the concepts of real estate transactions and the procedures to undertake real estate activities. According to Al Hashimi, the continuing education program ensures the development of the new concepts and information regarding the property brokerages.
Al Hashimi called on RERA’s accredited brokers and holder of the ID Card to register on the empowering courses before renewing their ID cards. The broker needs to pass an online test introduced by DREI. Passing the test is a condition for license renewal and helps brokers to avoid renewal delays and fines imposed by RERA.
The requirements of obtaining the brokers’ license include the completion of the real estate brokerage empowering course. The course is a 12 hours training program, achieving a minimum of 70% result and passing this program is a must to renew broker ID card. The course will be in the form of exams, questions about legal issues and profession ethics. It includes questions regarding the registration of property, procedures of transferring ownership, the unified broker and buyer contracts forms. These questions will show the broker’s knowledge of the property registration and owners associations. According to the answers, the levels of knowledge and professionalism will be assessed so brokers might be required to attend new courses.
Mahmoud Al Burai, Managing Director of Dubai Real Estate Institute said: “DREI provides integrated program in order to develop the professional level and educate brokers. This program is linked to the licensing department in RERA and it includes courses on vital and important topics, such as real estate finance and advanced skills in selling, leasing and excellence in transactions and customer service.
He pointed to the efforts of DREI aimed at boosting the experience of people working in the real estate sector and empowering them. Such approach will help them to keep abreast of developments and changes related to the local and global real estate industry through the organization of professional training courses.
According to Al Burai, the continuing education program undertaken by DREI is very essential to communicate with people working in this sector and develop their academic and professional levels and to introduce the latest developments for the real estate professionals.
He noted that the DREI is looking to be the primary reference for the development of real estate competencies and awareness. This target is part of DREI’s strategy to motivate transparency and professionalism in Dubai real estate sector. He concluded by calling on all relevant parties to understand their roles and responsibilities when providing real estate services.