Q&A with Claudia Maher – CIPD at MDX Dubai

Claudia Maher joined Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai in April 2014 and has since become a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Head of the CIPD Study Centre.

Prior to working at MDX Dubai she worked as a Legal and HR professional in London and Abu Dhabi and is currently engaged in PhD research in acting pedagogy in leadership and management. 

Beyond work she enjoys travelling, teaching yoga and has appeared as an extra in the film Bridget Jones. On 3 June, followers of MDX Dubai’s Instagram had the opportunity to ask her anything about HR, CIPD or anything else related to MDX Dubai.

Below are some of her answers!

How long is a CIPD course and how many classes will I do? 

The CIPD foundation course in People Practice is for anyone new to HR or those wanting to move into the HR industry. It runs for one month at weekends, although support and extra classes are given throughout the year.

Can I take CIPD if I already have a job? 

The CIPD at MDX Dubai is an excellent choice for you to study while working as we run the course at weekends. The next cohort are starting on Saturday 14th June and shouldn’t impact your work, unless you work on Saturdays. In which case we can always find a solution for you, such as taking online tutoring support within the course fees to help you catch up on Saturday learning when it suits you and the tutor and attending Sunday classes face to face.

Is the course challenging?

Like any professional qualification, it requires commitment from you, especially if you are balancing work and study. But it is very manageable with the support that the MDX Dubai faculty will give you. You will be supported by experienced HR professionals.

Is the course just theory based?

The course combines both theory and practical application. You will learn key concepts and frameworks in HR, but the focus is on how to apply them in real workplace situations. Assignments are work-based or scenario-driven, so even if you are not currently in an HR role, you will still practice applying what you learn to realistic cases.

Does a psychology background go well with HR?

Absolutely, now that machines are doing much of our data work it gives us time to focus on people, and having a psychology background puts you a step ahead from the rest. You understand the different motivations of people, and the focus of wellness is important, CIPD and HR qualifications and education cover many psychological topics.

What’s the biggest challenge HR is facing from AI? 

There is a risk of bias being embedded into algorithms, leading to potentially unfair outcomes. Ensuring that AI supports ethical, inclusive, and human-centred practices, while still enhancing efficiency is a key concern for HR professionals today. Balancing automation with empathy is more important than ever.

Is HR a growing field? Are there job opportunities? 

Choosing a CIPD course alongside your degree (if it’s not CIPD-accredited) strengthens your HR credentials. While university supports job opportunities, networking is key, MDX Dubai offers events throughout the year where you can connect with HR professionals.

How can CIPD help improve my knowledge in HR?

CIPD qualifications are designed to give you both practical and theoretical knowledge in HR and people management. At MDX Dubai you learn from HR professionals about recruitment, employment law, diversity and inclusion, performance management, and more. It also gives you insight into real workplace scenarios, so you can apply what you learn immediately, aligned with industry standards, which helps you stay relevant and competitive in your HR career.

Does HR really work for the staff, or for the company?

I can write about this for hours as I know HR can be disliked by staff or even feared, and leadership may see them as admin and just administrative employees.

Strategic HR works by hiring people with the right attitude and strong empathy for people to help the business meet their goals. Leadership needs to have HR with them on the round table making decisions, as they are closer to the staff and will know them better.

With the right people on board and the right performance management tools such as KPIs and 360 degrees feedback, HR can see who the top performers are and spot the staff who are not the best employees to have on board.

The right mindset and skills of HR professionals will work for both the people and the business.

How long have you worked at MDX Dubai, and does it have a good environment for students?

I have worked at MDX Dubai for 11 years now, it’s more like a second home than a workplace to me!

I think there is a great environment for students on campus. They have excellent facilities such as sports and social clubs, gym, games rooms and the Knowledge Park campus is in a perfect location not too far from the city. We just had our student feedback results which was exceptional for teaching across programmes and student experience.

For more information about the HRM and CIPD programmes at Middlesex University Dubai, check our programme page, or visit an open day.

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