Al Ain Men's College to hold orientation programme

Al Ain Men's College (AAMC) will start a seven-day orientation programme from August 31 for 350 new students joining the college this academic year, starting from next week.

The college has divided the students into two groups for morning and evening shifts which will daily hold classes from 8am and 3pm, said Don Worthington, Supervisor of Students Affairs at the AAMC.

The orientation programme has been designed to help students to grasp an idea of their education programmes and courses, as well as to assist them in adapting to the college environment, he said.

The actual classes for new students will simultaneously start from September 1 as well.

Worthington explained that the AAMC offers courses in a wide variety of fields including business, engineering, information technology and others. The students include many who are new to the higher education after completing secondary school and working adults from different corporations and agencies.

The total strength of the students in the college during this academic year will be around 7,000. Those who are continuing from the last academic year have also been asked to report at the students affairs office on August 31 to join their classes.

The supervisor said those students who will continue are also divided into two shifts, one in the morning and the other in the evening, starting at 10am and concluding at 4pm.

The college, he said, offers the latest equipment and technology to students to work with and learn in a rigorous academic environment in all educational disciplines which include certificate, diploma and bachelor's degree programmes. At the same time students also enjoy an active campus life, he added.

The students affairs office at the AAMC answers all the queries of the students if they have any. It is responsible for general student assistance, student records and registration, admissions assistance, students' housing and transportation, college identification cards, and grade reporting.

Worthington said his office also handles certain additional responsibilities such as providing work experience to students during their studies, graduate employment, physical education, sports and recreation, student activities and runs the career centre.

A batch of some 200 students completed mandatory practical industrial training earlier this year in June under the work placement programme. This training is part of their graduation programme.

According to Muhannad Beisky, Work Experience and Graduates' Employment Coordinator, the AAMC has arrangements with 45 UAE and international companies for sending its students for practical experience.