Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates-Thursday 25 June 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]
The
American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), ranked as one of the top
ten UAE universities by the Quacquarelli Symonds agency (QS), is poised
to build on its strong reputation for quality by expanding its program
offerings.
As
universities return to the ‘new normal’, AURAK is planning to introduce
four new cutting-edge academic programs. These comprise a Bachelor of
Science in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, a Bachelor of Arts
in Interior Design, a Master of Science in Infrastructure Engineering,
and a Master of Science in Sustainable and Renewable Energy.
“We’re
bringing out new and innovative programs that are speaking to the
future, particularly with artificial intelligence and data science.
We’re looking to the future workplace – what that might look like and
what the jobs of the future are going to be – and we’re meeting those
needs,” said Ms. Amanda Forte, Chief Strategy and Excellence Officer at
AURAK. Moreover, all nine of AURAK’s engineering programs are accredited
by the American Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) and the
School of Business is pursuing accreditation through the Association to
Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
The
University and its programs have an impressive list of accreditations
from local and international bodies, which guarantee that its programs
meet the highest standards and that they benefit students. Despite its
successes, AURAK is not resting on its laurels. “AURAK is always seeking
to validate the quality of provision and of the institution,” Ms. Forte
said. As an example, AURAK is currently working with the Quality
Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) in the UK to undertake an
International Quality Review. In addition, AURAK has asked QS to carry
out an evaluation against the QS Stars criteria.
Like other
institutions in the UAE, AURAK is licensed by the UAE’s Ministry of
Education (MoE), which also accredits all the University’s programs.
However, unlike the other UAE universities, AURAK is one of only two
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in the United States. AURAK is rightly
proud of this achievement as SACSCOC has one of the most challenging
institutional accreditation systems open to universities.
When talking
about SACSCOC accreditation, AURAK’s President, Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al
Alkim, emphasized the benefits for AURAK students by pointing out that “SACSCOC
accreditation opens up a wealth of opportunities for our students
abroad, especially in the United States, whose universities still lead
the world.” It is clear that AURAK’s international partnerships are a
gateway to a successful future providing students with an array of
opportunities to spend a summer session, semester or year abroad with
AURAK’s partner institutions in places such as the United States,
France, Canada, Spain, Malaysia, Germany, The Netherlands, and South
Korea.
Similarly,
AURAK has negotiated 3+2 arrangements with partner institutions in the
United States so that AURAK students can study their first three years
at AURAK and complete their final years for their bachelor’s and
master’s abroad – cutting the normal total time for the master’s by one
year.
AURAK offers
life-changing education with a global reach and is completely focused on
student achievement and career opportunities. Not only does the
University provide a North American-style, undergraduate, and graduate
educational experience, with a strong focus on the local indigenous
culture; an AURAK education also challenges students and makes them feel
a sense of achievement after graduating. The University continues to
develop the range of education it offers so that its students can fast
track their careers.
AURAK is a
not-for-profit, public university, 100% owned by the government of Ras
Al Khaimah, guaranteeing a secure and stable future for students.
AURAK’s
international ranking also demonstrates the quality of the education and
experience it offers. According to the World University Rankings – Arab
World 2020 report released by the UK-based Quacquarelli Symonds agency,
AURAK has reached the Top 50 in the Arab world and tenth in the United
Arab Emirates. AURAK is not content with the status quo and in striving
continuously to improve the quality of education within the University
and the UAE, AURAK is an active member of the Council for Higher
Education (CHEA), the Association of ARAB Universities and the Hanseatic
League of Universities.
For more information visit AURAK’s website at https://aurak.ac.ae/en/
Contacts
American University of Ras Al Khaimah
Maryam Albloushi
Department of Communications and Public Relations
Tel: +971 7 2468803
Email: maryam.albloushi@aurak.ac.ae
