The Commission on Accredita-tion in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research recently approved the Centre for American Education's application to change its name to the American College of Dubai (ACD).

Dr James Butler, the College president, announced that the formerly named Centre for American Education, one of Dubai's oldest and foremost educational institutions, will start offering its university level programmes under the banner of the new ACD.

The College will continue undergraduate operations at its Garhoud campus that was commissioned in 2000. English Language training and high school equivalency programs will be offered as part of the existing Centre for American Education that has separate facilities on the same campus grounds.

As part of its recognition by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, ACD will focus on its existing university transfer programme which allows students to complete the lower division portion of their undergraduate program followed by transfer to universities and colleges in the US, Canada, the UAE and elsewhere.

Students can also earn a career oriented Associate Degree qualification in business, Information Technology and Liberal Arts.

The programme has successfully transferred over 1300 students since it began operations in 1990 and remains a favoured option for parents seeking to save significant sums prior to sending their children for degree completion.

Students can begin their studies towards practically any degree path to include business, engineering, and computer science by taking the general education and introductory coursework in Dubai and transferring the credits to the institution from which they will ultimately graduate.

The college will also be starting an evening continuing education program for working students. Evening courses are expected to begin during the upcoming Fall Semester with an initial focus on the associate degree qualification.

Dr Butler thanked the Higher Education Ministry for this permission and pledged that the American College of Dubai will continue to work closely with the Commission on Accreditation in meeting all mandated requirements. He also congratulated the college staff for their hard work as part of this effort.