Jamila K. Qadir

COLLEGES and universities of the UAE, government-sup-ported and private alike will play an essential role as the

UAE seeks to realise the tremendous po-tential of a knowledge-based future, said Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scien-tifi c Research.

It is therefore of the utmost impor-tance that institutions in the UAE of-fer the highest quality academic pro-grammes, programmes that have inter-national standards, he said in an exclu-sive interview with Khaleej Times.

“Knowledge conveys power, the power to shape our economy, the power to shape our society, and the power to shape our future.”

To ensure that the colleges and univer-sities in the UAE operate at international standards of quality, the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scien-tifi c Research conducts a programme of licensure of institutions of higher edu-cation and accreditation of each of their academic programmes.

“The CAA is very important as even with the best intentions in the world you will need to compare. We only can do better when we compare, not to com-pete, but to put up some standards and stick to those standards,” he explained.

“This (education) is the most impor-tant investment the family can make, the country can make for the future. Educa-tion is not (about) the quantity, but the quality.”

Education is not memorising, it is an outcome-based process and you have to have many components of it, which al-lows to deliver the standard you want.

“I’m not saying that we should com-

pare ourselves to the countries that have experience and established standards that served them well. We have followed those standards, we took advantage and benefi ted from them and applied to and tried them in our local institutions to en-able them to maintain the highest levels of education,” Shaikh Nahyan said.

“Institution is not a building, but what it produces — a graduate — and as a gov-ernment we are responsible for the qual-ity of these institutions and make sure that graduates are able to compete in the 21st century, to be positive contributors to the society and be able to be creative, entrepreneurial and have leadership skills,” he said.

“We see the accreditation as a very important tool that serves the UAE well and has maintained a good level of edu-cation both in private and public sectors. CAA makes sure the institutions are committed to the highest standards, maintaining the level of education, the curriculum and scientifi c research.

“We evaluate every step, how exams are conducted, size of classrooms by-laws, rules and regulations are working. We have di! erent methods than any-body else: for every institution we have di! erent people (evaluators).

“They come back to us with recom-mendations and we make sure they (in-stitutions) comply with rules and imple-ment high standards,” Shaikh Nahyan explained.

“By doing this we’ll be able to make sure that students and institutions con-tribute positively to the society, under-stand the changes in the world and are able to cope with them, understand new technologies and are able to move for-ward,” he said.

The CAA continues to refi ne the exist-ing standards and procedures to ensure that newly established institutions and

programmes, as well as existing ones, meet high standards of quality.

The 10 standards of excellence and the criteria that all institutions must meet for licensure and programme accredi-tation provide measures of quality and also refl ect a consensus within the inter-national higher education community about the essential characteristics of institutions that achieve a level of excel-lence and continuously improve.

As a result, students, graduates, their families, and the UAE public can be con-fi dent that licensed institutions and ac-credited programmes will provide high-er education of the highest quality, that they expect and deserve.

By adhering to established standards, policies and procedures in its relation-ships with institutions, CAA continually strives to improve the quality of higher education in the UAE because there is

always room to improve, Shaikh Nahyan said.

CAA follows standards and procedures consistent with the international best practices, with the objective of bringing higher education in the UAE up to inter-national standards, he added.

Benchmark for knowledge acquisitionThe Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research conducts a programme of licensure of institutions of higher education and accreditation of each of their academic programmes to ensure that they meet international standards of quality

Knowledge conveys power, the power to shape our economy, the power to shape our society, and the power to shape our future

Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research

KHALEEJ TIMES, ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

NO COMPROMISE ON QUALITY: CAA team at the 10th Biennial INQAAHE Conference

Screen Advertising Agents Reel Cinemas, Dubai Mall

www.reddoorproductions.net

Latha Krishnan

QUALITY has been and continues to be the top priority of the Commis-sion for Academic Accreditation

(CAA), ever since it was established 10 years ago. For higher education, the CAA is truly the quality assurance agency in the country, being at once both a regulator and a cham-pion for quality higher education with insti-tutional licensure as well as programme ac-creditation responsibilities.

Set up under the Ministry of Higher Edu-cation and Scientifi c Research (MOHESR) the CAA monitors the quality of nearly 500 academic programmes o! ered by nearly 70 colleges and universities in the UAE. From its inception, the CAA has strived to achieve the vision of Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of MOHESR, “It is of utmost importance that institutions in the UAE o! er the highest quality academic pro-grammes that are recognised both within the country and internationally for their ex-cellence.” It implies that the CAA has cham-pioned quality, but in its history it has also closed institutions (about 25 of them), which were o! ering programmes that were not of the high quality that the UAE residents ex-pect.

“Right from the beginning, the CAA has made sure that the international standards that we adopt here are tailored to suit the local population and society taking into consideration its customs, traditions and culture. We have revised the standards twice in the past so that it truly refl ects the needs of the country. And we urge the residents of the UAE to consult the MOHESR and the CAA website and choose accredited insti-tutions and programmes for their wards so that these students can graduate and com-pete globally for jobs,” said Professor Badr Aboul Ela, Director of the Commission for Academic Accreditation.

Under the guidance and directives of Shai-kh Nahyan, the CAA has evolved from being a regulatory body to also being a consulta-tive body that provides advice and support to institutions with potential to improve themselves and meet its high standards. In many instances the CAA works continually either as a partner in developing quality pro-grammes and institutions, or as the leverage that institutions need to move in new direc-tions, or as the facilitator of quality improve-ments.

The review process of educational pro-

grammes is outcome-based. They insist that each programme has a set of learning outcomes that are driven by the needs of the job market. They also encourage insti-tutions to have programme advisory com-mittees whose members include relevant industry representatives. This ensures that educational programmes are designed and continuously developed to have outcomes, which suit the societal needs.

The review teams of the CAA ensure that quality is never compromised, as they con-sist of senior academics from the US, Cana-da, the UK or Australia and are highly quali-fi ed and experienced commissioners, who are educators and academic administrators and active in international quality assurance e! orts. These teams are able to make unbi-ased decisions and can competently apply international standards that ably meet local job market demands while accrediting insti-tutions and programmes.

Among the many achievements of the CAA team in the past years, one of the high-lights is that it was the fi rst one to establish a set of standards for electronically deliv-ered programmes (e-learning) in the entire Middle East in 2004. Based on its experience and international exposure, the Commis-sion revised these standards in 2007 and currently several institutions in the region and beyond refer to them when setting up their e-learning facilities. Last year, the CAA developed special quality assurance mea-sures for similar programmes in vocational

and technical education.The CAA is an active member of the Inter-

national Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (INQAAHE) and took a leading role in setting up the Arab Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ANQAHE). Professor Badr, who is also currently the Vice-President of ANQAHE, has been instrumental along with some of his colleagues in establishing accreditation agencies in several Arab countries.

“We have established a regular pro-

gramme of ‘Quality Assurance Workshops’ and a ‘Good Practice Database’ to share best practices between institutions, in all aspects of institutional operations, and in quality assurance and enhancement. In future, we want to organise more such workshops for our higher education institutions to drive home the quality message to all institutions. We will also continue to provide advisory services to government agencies based on statistics of popular study programmes and their impact,” said Professor Badr.

II KHALEEJ TIMES, ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTMONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

Dr Thomas F. Armstrong – Commissioner: “As the new-est Commissioner (I began my work in February, 2010), but one who had worked closely with accrediting bodies in the United States for several years before coming to the UAE, I am most impressed by the work of the CAA. The willing-ness of the CAA to look at both institutional measures of quality through the licensure process and to look closely at programme quality through the accreditation process is a signifi cant departure from accreditation as practised in the US. The fact that the CAA looks so carefully at whether the courses focus on student learning (the outcomes of an edu-cation) is very important and is well ahead of many other ac-crediting bodies.

“I believe that the CAA has made a signifi cant di! erence for higher education in the Emirates. As commissioners we are privileged to work with outstanding teams made up of international experts and together we are able to advise institutions on best international practices. The result is a much better and much stronger form of higher education in the UAE.”

Dr Rolin Sidwell – Commissioner: “Working for an enlight-ened and visionary Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research, and a dedicated and committed executive director of the CAA has been richly rewarding. The reward is visible in the energy and enthusiasm exhibited by students who are engaged in a journey of discovery and learning or who, as graduates, are applying their knowledge and skills in useful and creative en-deavours. The UAE society is changing in wonderful ways.

“In the relatively short space of 10 years, under the Min-istry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research, the CAA has worked closely with colleges and universities in the UAE to implement substantial improvements in their academic programmes and in the operational and support services that enable students to fully commit to their studies. The Commission and its leadership are committed to the reali-sation of a future in which students with knowledge gained through higher education would change society and improve the quality of life for all who live here.

“I have been honoured and blessed to be a part of this pro-cess. Al-Humdulilah.”

Professor Ian P. Cumbus – Commissioner: “Over the de-cade of its establishment the CAA has developed and refi ned a set of rigorous Standards (Standards for Licensure and Ac-creditation) that it applies to new institutions and to their proposed programmes. In my view, these have served well for Commissioners to ensure that institutions have thresh-old levels of physical and human resources, and policies and procedures are in place that are in line with accepted inter-national practices.

“In recent years the Commission has worked increasingly

‘Well ahead of other accrediting bodies’CAA’s Commissioners are all praise for the Commission’s outstanding teams and their excellent work. Their comments are given below:

Quality driven achievementsCommission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) has been the source of quality assurance in education in the country since the past decade

• TURN TO NEXT PAGE

Professor Badr Aboul Ela

QUALITY ASSURANCE: O! cials at the 10th Biennial INQAAHE Conference

Commission for Academic Accreditation

across the region to guide other emerging accredita-tion agencies, to work on quality assurance matters that are in common across all agencies, and to partic-ipate in institutional reviews as international panel members. As a Commissioner with the CAA, there is a high level of job satisfaction that we are ‘making a di! erence’ to the quality of higher education as it develops in the UAE, and that ultimately the students will have a more rewarding educational experience and benefi t from the work we do.”

Dr Bruce Taylor – Commissioner: “I joined the CAA at the beginning of Ramadan in 2008. The majority of the programme accreditation visits I have managed for the Commission have been in business subjects. I have brought to the Commission’s work a back-ground in quality assurance in distance learning, and experience with accreditation of higher education in non-Western settings — namely, the Far East and Central Asia.

“The Commission deserves great credit for estab-lishing over its fi rst 10 years, through its Standards for Licensure and Accreditation, minimum levels of

academic quality for higher education institutions in the UAE, which ensure that degrees available here meet the highest international standards. For the future, I believe that the CAA will adapt to new de-velopments in higher education, such as technology-enhanced learning, while at the same time remaining vigilant in guarding the levels of quality it has worked so hard to achieve.

“Congratulations to my colleagues for 10 years of great achievements.”

— Compiled by Latha Krishnan

IIIKHALEEJ TIMES, ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTMONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

HBMeU — Pioneering e-learningHAMDAN Bin Mohammed e-University (HBMeU), was o" -cially launched on February 1, 2009 by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mo-hammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.

The University traces its origin to the e-TQM College that started seven years ago as the only institution with an e-learning platform in the UAE. HBMeU is a pioneer in e-learning with a mission to re-shape education by providing a model of lifelong learning, including open access to short courses, executive de-velopment programmes, certifi cate and diploma courses lead-ing to accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degree pro-grammes.

The University is considered the fi rst e-learning institution to be licensed and recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research in the United Arab Emirates and among the few in the region

HBMeU specialises in excellence and quality management and has a wide range of programmes to meet the needs of learners in all sectors of the economy, including business, education, e-learning, healthcare and environment. HBMeU provides learn-ing opportunities for all through the principle of click-to-learn.

HBMeU enjoys international credibility, recognition and a" l-iation, and its programmes are not only demand-driven, but are customised to meet the growing needs of businesses in the UAE and indeed elsewhere in the Arab World in the 21st century.

The University is passionate about upholding excellence in all its service portfolios and has attracted internationally recog-nised faculty and other professionals that have already started contributing towards human capital development in the UAE.

Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, one of the fi rst e-learning institutions to be licensed and recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research in the United Arab Emirates, is a pioneer in e-learning with a mission to re-shape education by providing a model of lifelong learning

Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai

• CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

ABU DHABI University was chartered as a private institution of higher learning in the year 2000 under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s Representa-tive in the Western Region and President of Abu Dhabi University Board of Trustees.

The University is, licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research, and all its degree programmes are accredited. The University of Abu Dhabi currently serves over 4,000 students at its two campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.

ADU colleges are open to students from all nationalities and are based on the American model of higher education. ADU comprises the following colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business Administration and the College of Engineering and Com-puter Science. ADU has also most recently established the College of Research and Gradu-ate Studies, which is committed to applied strategic research to contribute to the UAE’s economic knowledge and its society, as well as evolving into a national and regional leader in graduate education. The college integrates discovery, teaching and learning with inter-disciplinary focus and public service.

Commission for Academic Accreditation

Abu Dhabi University is licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research and all its degree programmes are accredited

ADU: Open to all nationalities

HBMeU is a pioneer in e-learning with a mission to re-shape education by providing a model of lifelong learning, including open access to short courses, executive development programmes, certifi cate and diploma courses leading to accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes

IV KHALEEJ TIMES, ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTMONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010 Commission for Academic Accreditation

ON November 5, 2010 Gulf Medical Uni-versity, Ajman, completed 12 glorious and successful years. Since its inception Gulf Medical University, Ajman, has progressed by leaps and bounds in the fi eld of medical education, research and health care.

Gulf Medical University is promoted by Thumbay Group and headed by its Founder President Thumbay Moideen. It is fully recognised as an institution im-parting higher education by the Ministry of Higher Education, UAE, o! ering inno-vative Bachelors, Masters and Residency programmes in the fi elds of medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences, physi-cal therapy etc. Needless to say, the GMC Hospital and Research Center, Ajman, is now one of the largest healthcare provid-ers in the private sector in the UAE. The university attracts more than 51 nationali-ties from various countries and majority of them are nationals and Arabs from Gulf

Twelve-year-old Gulf Medical University, Ajman, has progressed by leaps and bounds in the fi eld of medical education, research and health care

Learning fromthe world

Great value for graduates

GULF MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF DUBAI

SELF SUFFICIENT: The GMU campus has facilities for students and faculty

UNIVERSITY of Dubai (UD), a prestigious academic university established by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1997, continues to o! er great value for money and excellent professional projection for graduates.

UD is positioned as number one among the UAE’s private universities and is recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research as being the fi rst to earn accreditation of its academic programmes. It has pro-duced some of the best entrepreneurs who have clinched top positions in the Dubai government and non-government sectors in the UAE. UD constantly organises entrepreneurship programmes for women, aiming to enhance the qualifi cations and skills of UD’s meritorious students specialising in manage-ment, marketing, fi nance and banking and accounting.

Though the regional job market is still passing through a stressful period, most of the fresh UD business graduates are o! ered jobs within three to fi ve months. A recent study on regional universities showed that UD was among the few institutions in the country o! ering academic excellence at an a! ord-able cost and fi nancial aid for deserving students compared to institutes with high tuition fees and no fi nancial aid.

The degree programmes o! ered by UD are recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research in the UAE. The College of Busi-ness Administration o! ers Bachelor of Business Administration in Account-ing, Finance and Banking, Management, Marketing, Human Resources Man-agement, Entrepreneurship Management, Supply Chain and Logistics Man-agement and Business Economics; and Master of Business Administration in Leadership and Human Resources Management, Finance and Accounting, Operations and Logistics Management and International Business and Mar-keting. The College of Business Administration is accredited by AACSB inter-national. The College of Information Technology o! ers Bachelor of Science. The Computing and Information Systems (CIS) programme is accredited internationally by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology in the United States. These two international accreditations position UD as the fi rst private uni-versity recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Re-search to have earned such recognition.

University of Dubai is recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research as being the fi rst to earn accreditation of its academic programmes

Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The University campus is well-planned with various buildings spread over an area of one million square feet, which has a 300-bed super-specialty hospital, villas, hous-ing complex, boys and girls hostels, Body and Soul Health Club, Co! ee Shops, play areas, convention centre and various other facilities for students and faculty.

Gulf Medical University has established a new Center for Continuing Education and Community Outreach under which 70 non-degree programmes — part-time, full-time and online — all of a less than one-year duration will be started.

The Gulf Medical University and GMC Hospital is now on a massive expansion phase with its fi rst international hospital already operational in Blantyre, Malawi, since April 2010. Plans to open branches of Gulf Medical University in Malaysia, South Africa and Mauritius are now on the verge of fi nalisation. The Gulf Medical Univer-sity and Hospital is also looking to further establish branches in Nigeria, Egypt, Syria, Iran, and India among the other countries.

With the completion of the fi rst phase of the expansion plan, the group will have a sta! strength of around 2,500 with more than 2,000 people housed on the campus including sta! , students and faculty.

The second phase of the expansion plan will be announced in the next six months, which will be huge in scope involving sev-eral international companies as part of the prestigious project.

The Gulf Medical University’s brand statement, ‘Learn from the World’, depicts learning as a process that cannot be lim-ited to the precincts of books or institution alone. The avenues of learning are very broad, so why learn from just one place? With a perfect blend of capable faculty from all across the world and an equipped infrastructure, the students will acquire the best from the world to hone their skills and knowledge.

LICENSED and accredited by the Min-istry of Higher Education in the UAE, the American University of Ras Al Khaimah o! ers American-style Bachelor of Science degrees designed to meet market demands. AURAK o! ers programmes in biotechnol-ogy, business administration with speciali-sation in international business, fi nance, or marketing, electronics and communica-tion engineering and computer engineer-ing.

The University also o! ers an English language preparatory programme (ELP) for students who are academically quali-fi ed but lack English language profi ciency.

AURAK was established in 2009 based on the vision of His Highness Shaikh Saud

bin Saqr Al Qassi-mi, Supreme Coun-cil Member, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Chancellor of the University, to encourage lifelong learning, profes-sional education and promote hu-man capacity to en-

sure an educated workforce for social and economic progress.

The Admissions O" ce provides detailed information and o! ers direct counselling to all inquiries for successful enrollment into AURAK.

American University of Ras Al Khaimah encourages lifelong learning, professional education and promotes human capacity to ensure an educated workforce for social and economic progress

Academic excellence redefi nedAMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF RAS AL KHAIMAH

Dr Shaukat A. Mirza

THE Petroleum Institute (PI) was set up by an Emiri Decree in 2001 with the goal of establishing a world leader in engineering education and research in areas of signifi cance to the oil and gas and the broader energy industry.

PI’s sponsors include Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and four subsidiary international oil companies. Currently, the institute o! ers Bachelor’s degrees in Chemi-cal, Electrical, Mechanical and Pe-troleum Engineering and Petroleum Geosciences, which have full CAA ac-creditation.

At the graduate level the PI o! ers Master’s degrees in Chemical, Elec-trical, Mechanical and Petroleum En-gineering and Masters of Science in Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical and Petroleum Engineering and Petro-leum Geosciences all of which have initial accreditation from the CAA.

There are over 1,050 undergradu-ate students and 122 graduate stu-dents currently enrolled at the Petro-leum Institute. The Institute gradu-

ated its fi rst 44 students in June 2006, who completed their engineering programmes and began their careers within the ADNOC Group of Compa-nies.Modern campus — Diverse com-munity

The PI has developed a truly cos-mopolitan community on its campus, having more than 50 di! erent nation-alities working together to produce research in many areas relevant to the energy industry and educational best practices. The evolution of the campus facilities refl ects the needs of such a diverse and talented group with state-of-the-art facilities for education, research, housing and rec-reation under development.Undergraduate engineering edu-cation

The undergraduate programmes provide a rigorous university edu-cation focused on engineering and applied science in the broad fi eld of energy. The education of the whole person is also central to the mission of the PI so that the graduating engi-

neers are equipped with the necessary technical and personal competencies to be successful lifelong learners with the capability to function e! ectively in any environment.Women in science and engineer-ing

The facility where female engineer-ing students attend classes, Arzanah, is dedicated to the identifi cation, development and enhancement of women engineers and their profes-sional advancement in the global so-ciety. The PI educates engineers who will be leaders in industry and society and who herald a new age for women in a profession which until recent years was predominantly a male pre-serve.State-of-the-art laboratories

Each programme is equipped with modern laboratories that have the most up-to-date instrumentation and technology. Labs vary from a life-size drilling system to materials sci-ence laboratories. Students have the unique opportunity to participate in an advanced hands-on practical edu-cation experience that helps in pre-paring graduates in the new emerging energy technologies.Global graduate opportunities

In order to encourage academic exchange (including faculty, research scholars, undergraduate and gradu-ate students) the PI has signed mem-oranda of understanding with leading

From its base in Dubai, the RCSI-Dubai o! ers postgraduate education, training and consultancy in leadership, management, patient safety and quality

VKHALEEJ TIMES, ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTMONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

Contributing to healthcare in region

FOR OVER 200 years the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) has played a ma-jor role in medical education and training in Ireland.

Founded in 1784 to train surgeons, a medi-cal school was later established in 1886. Today, RCSI has schools of Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Nursing. In addition to undergraduate education, RCSI delivers postgraduate train-ing and education through its Department of Surgery, Faculties of Radiology, Dentistry, Sports and Exercise Medicine, School of Post-graduate Studies and its Institute of Leader-ship. RCSI’s research institute is one of Ire-land’s foremost research centres specialising in translational research.

More than 60 countries are represented on RCSI’s international student body in Ireland and the College also has a strong interna-tional presence with schools in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, and a University in Bahrain. The college is an independent, not-for-profi t, progressive international organi-sation dedicated to improving human health through innovation, endeavour and collabo-ration in educational research and service. The mission of the RCSI Institute of Leader-ship is to improve human health through the development of excellent leaders and manag-ers in the health professions.

From its base in Dubai, the Institute o! ers postgraduate education, training and con-sultancy in leadership, management, patient safety and quality. Its Masters programmes are accredited by both the Government of the UAE and by the National University of Ire-land, the largest University organisation in Ireland. RCSI-Dubai also provides continu-ing professional development and bespoke training programmes aimed at facilitating the development of e! ective healthcare organi-sations. Since the founding, RCSI Dubai has graduated healthcare professionals who are making a major contribution to the develop-ment of healthcare in the region.

Creating oil and gas professionalsThe Petroleum Institute o! ers CAA accredited Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical and Petroleum Engineering and Petroleum Geosciences

Commission for Academic Accreditation

SKYLINE University College, since its inception in 1990, has moved on to become one of the leading business edu-cation providers in the UAE. The institution was set up with the vision of academic excellence, professional edu-cation and academic consultancy. Now, in its 20th year of successful operations in the education sector in the UAE, the University College has been a forerunner in recognis-ing the needs of the industry and integrating knowledge with professional inputs. The futuristic approach of Skyline strives to keep pace with the changing trends of market requirements and prepares students to meet the

challenges by grooming them all round academically and professionally in the global context.

Skyline University College o! ers BBA — Bachelor of Business Administration programme, major in Travel & Tourism Management, Marketing, International Busi-ness and Information Systems and MBA — Master of Business Administration programme with emphasis on Marketing and Finance. Both the programme o! erings are fully approved and accredited by the Ministry of High-er Education and Scientifi c Research (MOHESR), UAE. This enables Skyline’s graduates to acquire a high level of managerial skills, knowledge, positive attitude and the much-needed professional temper and edge required to excel in their professions.

Located in the picturesque University City of Shar-jah, the campus is spread over 40 acres with world-class infrastructure for academic, extra-curricular and sport-ing activities, featuring a modern and innovative learn-ing ambience. More information can be obtained from Skyline University College’s Marketing & Registration Department at 06-5441155 or admissions@skylineuniver-sity.com.

Skyline University College has a futuristic approach that keeps pace with the changing trends of market requirements and prepares students to meet challenges by grooming them academically and professionally in the global context

Integrating knowledge with professional inputs

SKYLINE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

international universities including Colorado School of Mines, USA; Uni-versity of Maryland, USA; Technische Universität München, Germany and Johannes Kepler University, Austria.Advanced research and technol-ogy development centre

Research in the oil and gas industry is of high importance to the future of the UAE. The Petroleum Institute is charged with the responsibility of addressing the need for e" cient pro-duction of energy and management

of energy resources. The construc-tion of the institute’s fi rst dedicated research facility, the TAKREER Re-search Facility, is now completed with the PI Research Center in the planning stage.

VI KHALEEJ TIMES, ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTMONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

A LEADING institution for higher learning and a vibrant centre for study and advanced research, the University of Sharjah (UOS) o! ers the most comprehensive and inclusive platform of academic programmes in the entire GCC region. UAE nationals constitute 50 per cent of its student community and besides its main campus in Sharjah, UOS has two satellite campuses in Khor Fakkan and Kalba.

“The idea of subjecting academic institutions and academic programmes to a rigorous process of licensure and accreditation has been an excellent move and one which UOS wholeheartedly adheres to in its endeavour to provide the highest quality education to all our students,” says Prof. Samy Mahmoud, Chancellor, University of Sharjah. “Accreditation serves as a vital quality assurance process in which the academic programme is assessed from the point of view of its relevance to society, its academic content, and more importantly, its outcome in terms of the learning and experience the students are expected to have. This, in turn, is refl ected in timely and proper investment in excellent infrastructure and other facilities, up-to-date learning tools and a competent faculty.”

By setting up the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) a decade ago, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research has enabled colleges and universities throughout the UAE to realise the tremendous potential of a knowledge-based future, says Prof. Samy. “Accredited programmes in the UAE, therefore, operate at international standards of quality and this has distinguished higher education in the UAE from corresponding education in the rest of the Arab world.”

Accreditation is very important as it ensures that academic programmes are constantly being developed, assessed and evaluated to meet world class standards, says Prof. Samy. “Academic programmes will su! er if they stagnate but thanks

to accreditation it goes through a process of thorough self-assessment ensuring it maintains the highest quality always. It is a way to constantly evaluate and check the programme and we welcome the e! orts of the CAA because of that.”

“Within a short span of 10 years, the CAA has certainly made tremendous strides and on their momentous 10th anniversary, I would like to congratulate them on a very successful decade,” says the Chancellor. “We are committed to continue to work with the Commission and to fully cooperate with them in all the good work they do.”

‘Accreditation is vital for a knowledge-based future,’ says Prof. Samy Mahmoud, Chancellor, University of Sharjah

Vibrant centre for study

UNIVERSITY OF SHARJAH

ABU DHABI Vocational Education and Training Institute (ADVETI), an initia-tive of Abu Dhabi Government, was es-tablished in 2007 with a vision to be the benchmark of technical and vocational education in the UAE. It has three insti-tutes in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Gharbia.

The institutes are administered by the leaders of vocational education from Aus-tralia and Germany: the Australian Tech-nical and Further Education Commission of New South Wales — TAFE NSW, and the German agency for technical coopera-tion — GTZ.

The total number of students studying in ADVETI Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Ghar-bia is around 2,300. It o! ers an exciting and diverse range of applied programmes, which include Information Technology, Project Management, Travel and Tour-ism, Health, Design, Environment Stud-

Accredited programmes in the UAE, therefore, operate at international standards of quality and this has distinguished higher education in the UAE from corresponding education in the rest of the Arab world

Setting a benchmark in vocational trainingAbu Dhabi Vocational Education and Training Institute’s mission is to empower Emiratis to lead the nation’s future development through world-class, workplace focused technical and vocational education as well as training

ABU DHABI

Information Technology Information Technology (Networking)Information Technology (Multimedia)

Services Travel and Tourism

Library & Information Services

BusinessProject Management

Human Recourse

DesignDecoration and Interior Design

Graphic Design

EnvironmentEnvironment, Health and Safety

AL AIN

Information Technology IT Systems (Field & Network Support)

Media Technology

Industrial TechnologyTechnical DrawingCar Mechatronics

Process Automation Industrial Mechatronics

Medical Health CareMedical Services

Medical Laboratory AnalysisBiomedical Equipment Services

DesignFashion Design

Jewellery Design

Applied ManagementTourism Management

Travel Management Event Management

AL GHARBIA

Information Technology IT Systems (Field & Network Support)

Industrial TechnologyTechnical DrawingCar Mechatronics

Laboratory Analysis

Medical Health CareMedical Services

Applied Management Event Management

ADVETI programs on o! er for 2010-2011

ies, Industrial Mechanics and Event Man-agement. The programmes o! ered at AD-VETI have been specifi cally designed in consultation with Abu Dhabi industry and businesses to ensure that ADVETI gradu-ates are ready to meet the knowledge and skill needs of local commercial enterpris-es and organisations.

All programmes can be completed in two-and-half years of full-time study, ex-cluding the Foundation year. Students can also apply for Recognition of Prior Learn-ing, and receive credit for previous study

and for skills and knowledge acquired through their experience at work.

All delivery at ADVETI is in English. A foundation programme is available for students who do not meet the diploma en-try level of English requirement. Success-ful graduates exit the institute with an in-ternationally recognised level of English,

enabling them to work competently in a business environment where English is the medium for communication.

Graduates from these diploma pro-grammes can operate e! ectively in a specifi c industry or profession. All pro-grammes include employability skills, and students complete their studies with a work placement programme to apply their skills.

ADVETI is licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research and has achieved accreditation for the Project Management, Human Resources Management, Networking, Multimedia and Decoration and Interior Design. AD-VETI is working towards national accredi-tation for all other programmes.

RAK Medical and Health Sciences University was estab-lished in 2006 by the Ras Al Khaimah Human Develop-ment Foundation (RAK-HDF) under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and Chancellor of the University, with the vision to be the leading medical and health sciences university in the UAE. Entrepreneur-ial leaders Al Ghurair Investments and ETA Ascon Star Group, Dubai, are partners in this venture.

The university is dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence and committed to preparing graduates with critical skills to join the medical and healthcare fi elds in

the 21st Century. RAK MHSU is home to over 400 medical and health science students belonging to 38 nationalities.

PROGRAMMES OF STUDY (FULL –TIME)Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)• (5-year programme + one-year internship)Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)• (5-year programme + one-year internship)Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)• (4-year programme + 6 months practice school)Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.Sc.Nursing)• (4-year programme)RN-BSN Bridge Programme• (2-year programme for working nurses holding Diploma in Nursing to upgrade to B.Sc. Nursing degree)

All programmes have been granted initial accreditation by Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research, UAE, and are listed in IMED (International Medical Edu-cation Directory) https://imed.faimer.org.UuHIGHLIGHTS

System-wise, integrated and updated curriculum•

Training in clinical skills from fi rst year of study• Problem-based learning to facilitate learning in small • groupsClinical training and internship in government hospi-

tals (Saqr and Obaid Hospital) at Ras Al Khaimah

ADMISSION PROCESSNext academic session commences in September 2011

and admissions will commence in January 2011. Students can check admission requirements and apply online at www.rakmhsu.com. Applicants are required to send a copy of their 12th grade marks by scanning the same and e-mailing to admissions@rakmhsu.ae along with their TOEFL/IELTS score.

Striving for excellenceRAK MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY

RAK Medical and Health Sciences University is dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence and committed to prepare graduates with critical skills to join the medical and healthcare fi elds in the 21st Century

Commission for Academic Accreditation

VIIKHALEEJ TIMES, ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTMONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

Dubai Medical College o! ers girls in the UAE and the region an opportunity to study medicine by avoiding the troubles and risks of travelling abroad

DUBAI MEDICAL COLLEGE is the fi rst private college to award a degree in medicine and surgery in the UAE. The college was established in 1986 as a non-profi t educational institution by Haj Saeed bin Ahmed Al Lootah, to o! er girls in the UAE and the region an opportunity to study medicine by avoid-ing the troubles and risks of travelling abroad.

Today, having completed 25 years in medical ed-ucation, DMC stands tall as a magnifi cent institu-tion of academic distinction and a dynamic centre of higher education with professors and students from over 30 di! erent nationalities. DMC boasts over 800 graduates to date, out of which 200 are Emiratis. DMC graduates are well-placed medical practitioners not only in the Gulf but also in over 40 countries, including world-renowned hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic in the US. The fact that DMC is exclusively for girls and that the college was envisioned at a time when higher education for girls in the region was lagging when compared to developed countries, makes the college unique even to this day.

DMC has a public-private partnership with DOHMS (Department of Health and Medical Ser-vices), for the students to undergo clinical training at their hospitals. DMC is accredited by the United States, GMC — Britain and is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The college has also been presented an award under the ‘Dubai Quality Ap-preciation Program’ and has to its credit the imple-mentation of EFQM excellence model, making it the fi rst educational institution in the Gulf region to do so.

Dubai Pharmacy CollegeDubai Pharmacy College (DPC) is the fi rst phar-

macy Institute in the UAE established in 1992 by Haj Saeed Lootah, with a vision to complement Dubai Medical College in providing the commu-nity with competent pharmacists, to meet the growing need for healthcare professionals. Today, DPC graduates play an important role as a vital link between physicians and patients, and as scientists infl uencing the development and application of pharmaceuticals.

The four-and-half year ‘B.Pharm’ course in-cludes an intensive six-month internship in lead-ing hospitals and primary healthcare centres — 1,000 hours of professional practice experience in the Department of Health hospitals of Dubai, 100 hours in pharmaceutical industries and 300 hours in community pharmacies. As the role and scope of pharmacists’ work continues to expand in modern times, DPC students are well-prepared to confi -dently face the demands of various modern health-care sectors. They are also equipped to pursue careers in research in the fi eld of manufacturing, analytical controlling, marketing and administra-tion. DPC teaching programmes are continuously evaluated and upgraded according to the pharma-ceutical industry’s constant advancements.

DPC is accredited and licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research, UAE. The college boasts over 400 graduates till date out of which 120 are Emiratis. DPC is the fi rst educa-tional institution to be presented an award under the Dubai Quality Appreciation Program (DQAP) in 2004. Since then, the programme continues to achieve worldwide recognition through its well-established alumni all over the world.

Standing tallDUBAI MEDICAL COLLEGE

Khaleej Times spoke to Dr Lawrence Loh, Vice-President for Academic A! airs, Al Ghurair University, about the university’s objectives, achievements and activities.

When was the AGU established in the UAE?

AGU was established in 1999 by the well-respected Al Ghurair Group to serve the com-munity through the provision of university education.

Which are the courses that AGU has suc-cessfully provided in the UAE? Is there any particular programme that you would like to emphasise on?

To date, AGU has successfully o! ered un-dergraduate programmes in business, comput-ing, engineering and interior design. Recently, it has also opened a foundation programme to provide even greater access and opportunity

for students to ben-efi t from university education. Moving forward, it is planning to launch a Master of Business Administra-tion programme as well as new under-graduate and graduate degree programmes.

Does AGU have ties with interna-tional institutions?

AGU degrees have attained accreditation or equivalence with the competent authorities of various countries internationally. These coun-tries include India, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Paki-stan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

Which programmes have been granted recognition by the Ministry of Higher Edu-cation and Scientifi c Research?

All degree programmes currently o! ered at AGU have been granted recognition by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c Research. These include:

Bachelor of Business Administration•

Bachelor of Science in Computer Informa-• tion SystemBachelor of Science in Computer Science • and EngineeringBachelor of Science in Electrical and Elec-• tronics EngineeringBachelor of Arts in Interior Design•

In addition, AGU’s Foundation Programme is also approved by the Ministry of Higher Edu-cation and Scientifi c Research.

What are your plans for AGU in this re-gion?

AGU will further develop itself as a student-centric quality-focused university catering to the needs of students and the community. It will deepen its capability and capacity to strengthen its current programmes. Advanc-ing forward, it will gradually grow its o! erings of undergraduate and graduate programmes as well as steadily expand to a more diverse base of students from the region and beyond. In tan-dem with this, AGU will progressively build up its facilities and infrastructure in its campus at Academic City.

AGU aims to further develop itself as a student-centric quality-focused university catering to the needs of students and the community

O! ering greater access

AL GHURAIR UNIVERSITY

Dr Lawrence Loh

Commission for Academic Accreditation

AVENUE FOR ASPIRANTS: O! ering undergraduate degrees in a range of specialisations

SCRUTINY: The college features a comprehen-sive curriculum in medical sciences

APT COMBINATIONS: The college strives to create competent pharmacists who meet the growing need for able healthcare professionals

ALHOSN University was established in 2005, as a private university in Abu Dhabi. Owned by the Abu Dhabi Holding Company, the universi-ty o! ers a wide range of unique undergraduate and graduate programmes in the fi elds of engi-neering, business and education.

The University’s motto, “Global knowledge with Local Vision”, is much more than just a slogan, it is a philosophy and a fi rm belief in the values of global knowledge combined with local traditions steeped in history.

It is committed to preparing graduates who are able to develop values, skills and knowledge that will shape their lives, careers and societies. To accomplish this, ALHOSN University o! ers high-quality undergraduate, graduate and con-tinuing education programmes and promotes research activities that serve local and regional needs.

The university expresses its commitment to its mission by pursuing the following goals:

To inspire independent, confi dent, self-di-rected and dedicated graduates to achieve their personal goals and to prepare graduates to be ca-reer-oriented, innovative, critical thinkers and life-long learners. It strives to develop socially responsible graduates who are receptive to the community’s changing needs and are respectful of the noble local and global values. The univer-sity recruits qualifi ed faculty and provides them with a conducive and supportive work environ-ment. The university also provides an excellent teaching/learning environment with state-of-the-art educational facilities and ensures ad-equate support and care for students.

ALHOSN University o! ers a variety of Bach-elors and Masters Programmes that are accred-ited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientifi c research, within the following facul-ties:The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences:

Bachelor Degree in Interior Design, Urban • Planning, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engi-neering, Software Engineering and Architec-tural Engineering

The Faculty of BusinessBachelor Degree in Business Administration, • Management Information Systems and Busi-

ness Administration in AccountingThe Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education in • English and Education in Arabic and Islamic Studies

The Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences:

Master in Buildings Engineering (MBE) and • Engineering Management (MEM). Graduate Certifi cate in Buildings Engineer-• ing and Engineering Management

The Faculty of BusinessMaster of Business Administration (MBA)• o Management Information Systemo International Businesso General Management o Accountingo Finance

The Faculty of Arts and Social SciencesDiploma of Education in Arabic• Master of Education (MED)• ALHOSN University’s academic programmes

were developed in North America by highly qualifi ed professors from reputable universi-ties. Following a thorough market study, the university is developing more undergraduate and graduate programmes that will be added to their list in the near future.

Global knowledge with local visionALHOSN University provides a holistic learning environment and strives to develop career-oriented and lifelong learners

ALHOSN UNIVERSITY

VIII KHALEEJ TIMES, ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENTMONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

Ajman University of Science and Technology delivers excellent education to empower its students in the business world

AUST — Innovative environmentRIGHT from its inception in 1971, the United Arab Emirates has realised the utmost impor-tance of education in building up a knowledge-based future. Under the wise leadership of Pres-ident His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE continues to invest in education, being aware that the latter is the key for any growth and development in the future. Thanks to the vi-sion of Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scien-tifi c Research, the Commission for Academic Accreditation has played an essential role in raising the quality standards of education in the UAE universities to international levels. Indeed these universities are now regionally and inter-nationally recognised for their highest quality of education and excellence.

According to Dr Saeed Abdulla Salman, Presi-dent of Ajman University of Science and Tech-nology (AUST), the university sprang from a three-dimensional vision — education, infor-mation and investment, which is its fountain-head. Since 1988 AUST has o! ered an innova-tive environment that stands on fi ve pillars — education, research, training, expertise and practice. This open learning system uses tech-nology and modern curricula and gives every member the chance to excel and participate in achieving success.

AUST is a community of talented learners,

whose innovative environment releases the potential energies of the students. Being a stu-dent at AUST, you will obtain the merits of both a modern conventional educational system as well as a modern open educational system.

The admission process at AUST is broad-based but highly selective. There is a minimum grade point average, class rank or score one must obtain in order to secure an admission at AUST. However, every single application is giv-en a thorough review.

The admission committee treats each appli-cation carefully, evaluating personal as well as intellectual capabilities, and making every ef-fort possible to be thorough, functional and fair. Interest falls on those students who are up to the challenges, and take advantage of the depth of what the university has to o! er. The goal is to bring together a freshman class marked not only by its exceptional academic ability but also by a variety of backgrounds, interests and accom-plishments.

At AUST, undergraduate and graduate stu-dents have a lot to o! er and learn from one another. The freshmen year is a time of many transitions at AUST. The campus is the centre of learning, studying, exploring and socialising in a distinctive academic, extracurricular and culturally diverse environment.

The university has adopted internationally recognised teaching methodologies aimed at developing competent graduates into highly skilled and qualifi ed individuals, committed to

benefi ting the society.A wide range of programmes is o! ered to sup-

port students who wish to immerse in the cul-ture of the campus. There is a focus on interdis-ciplinary learning in the classroom, the research labs, the clinics and even the residence halls. The university takes interest in the interdisciplinary studies, which gives students the opportunity to plan their own degree programmes. It also gives them the chance to involve in areas of study out-side their stated major and work with students in other fi elds to enhance their own learning.

“All programmes at AUST are the fruit of my experience in education, information and in-vestment,” declares Dr Saeed Salman.

He said, “Our 8,750 undergraduates are among the most engaged and passionate stu-dents. At AUST, choices are provided for stu-dents to give them the fl exibility that is crucial to the learning process. Our extensive list of undergraduate majors includes fi elds of sci-ence and technology, business and humanities, health and law.”

Students may seek a professional education by choosing from an extensive list of 40 pro-grammes within 10 major colleges that the uni-versity has to o! er.

AUST recently obtained academic accredita-tion from the UAE Ministry of Higher Educa-tion and Scientifi c Research for its new three-year Master’s degree programme in Restorative Dentistry. The new programme will be o! ered as of the Spring Semester 2010-2011.

Diplomas, Bachelors, Masters, Doctors …

Ajman University of Science and Technology: the CHOICE is YOURSAUST today is a regional leader boasting a network of more than 22,000 alumni working in several private and governmental institutions inside and outside the UAE, developing experience and expertise in various industries and serving the larger community. AUST has ambassadors all over the globe: a batch of distinguished and ambitious graduates who have taken the challenge of pursuing research and postgraduate studies in some of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Commission for Academic Accreditation

BASTION OF LEARNING: AUST campus is a distinctive learning and exploring hub