Grooming critical reasoning skills

With a curriculum modelled on US courses, but with strong cultural roots in the UAE, AUD strikes a balance for students

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Grooming critical reasoning skills

DUBAI

Synonymous with acad-emic excellence and representing the spirit of enquiry, the American University in Dubai (AUD) is one of the leading private academic institutions for higher learning in Dubai offering undergraduate and graduate degrees and following a curriculum akin to similar institutions in the US.

AUD’s enrolment in 2012-2013 averaged 2,600 students and in spring 2013, over 100 nationalities were represented in the student body.

It has high-calibre academicians on its faculty and focuses on developing strong self-expression and critical reasoning abilities in its students, as well as providing a well-rounded and updated curriculum.

Years in existence

Eighteen. The American University in Dubai is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995.

Home campus

The American University in Dubai is located next to Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and the Palm Islands.

All academic buildings are well-equipped with the latest technology and cater to the needs of the academic programmes. The student centre houses indoor sports facilities, a barber shop, a beauty salon, a travel agency, a bank, a copy centre, a bookstore, a supermarket and food courts.

Accreditation

The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (CAA-MOHESR) has licensed the AUD and accredited all of its programmes.

The AUD is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges (COC) to award Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Other accreditations include:

International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) for bachelor’s and master’s of business administration programmes;

the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET for civil, computer and electrical engineering programmes;

Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET for the computer and information technology programme; and

the International Advertising Association (IAA) for marketing, communications and advertising majors.

Studying at AUD

It is widely believed that American education is synonymous with ‘quality’. This belief is particularly prevalent with regard to American education at the university level.

Several factors are judged to explain this excellence:

1) a curriculum that imparts general knowledge but allows for significant specialisation;

2) a faculty who frequently contribute to scholarship in addition to exercising their classroom duties;

3) teaching methods that develop in students strong skills in critical reasoning and accurate and persuasive self-expression;

4) the maintenance of high academic standards via clear and consistent policies;

5) and instilling in students an appreciation for life-long learning.

The AUD seeks to duplicate this American recipe for success. Syllabi and textbooks are often the same as those used in similar courses taught in the US.

In addition, the predominance of American and American-trained faculty further ensures that the university be American in substance as well as in name.

Expectations of academic performance either match or exceed those prevailing on a ‘typical’ American campus.

But as with any institution of higher learning, the AUD – although working within an American framework – has developed a character of its own.

This is in large part inspired by its sensitivity to the needs of the student populace of the Middle East in which it operates.

While the university’s faculty tend to be more teaching- than research-oriented, they often enjoy a professional status uncommon among academics.

Curriculum

The AUD’s curricula across its degree-granting disciplines are skill-directed and career-oriented. Everything - from academic advising to the approach to faculty-student interaction in and outside the classroom, in addition to career counselling - is implemented with attention to the needs of the individual student.

It is for this reason that class sizes are relatively small, and all faculty follow an ‘open-door’ policy with regard to consultation.

Finally, the globalisation of business and communications makes it imperative that the university’s educational programmes be delivered with an international perspective and that a tolerance for cultural diversity be promoted through both curricular and extra-curricular activities.

The AUD says that since its opening in 1995, it has taken great strides towards developing a culture of excellence by combining the heritage of traditional American education with those perspectives it has matured locally.

The university looks forward to further collaboration with the local community in its continuous search for relevant educational programmes delivered to global standards.

Total faculty: 181

Student strength/nationalities represented: 2,624.

UAE nationals: 356.

Other nationalities: 103.

Degrees offered

The AUD offers undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in the fields of:

Arts.

Science.

Fine arts.

Business.

Education.

Key achievements

The AUD community believes it has a special commitment to support each individual’s goals. To this end, the university places emphasis on the educational, professional and personal growth of each student. Programmes, policies and activities are evaluated periodically and changed, as necessary, to meet the needs of the student body and the institution.

Extracurricular — athletics and facilities

The AUD athletic programme offers many opportunities for the intercollegiate team sports that are available to AUD’s students, staff and faculty. AUD athletics also has a drop-in programme for all students who are interested in staying fit.

Athletic facilities include a 1,300ft track, an 82ft pool, a football pitch, three tennis courts and two basketball/volleyball courts.

A central indoor stadium can be dismantled into two independent courts used for indoor football, handball, basketball or volleyball.

This stadium has a capacity of 2,500, in addition to an outdoor spectator’s gallery that faces the football field and accommodates a public of 300.

Separately, there are two squash playgrounds and a 1,600 square foot gymnasium and an aerobics/dancing/music room.

Extra-Curricular – Student Life

For a student to truly get the most of their AUD experience, they should get involved in university activities, whether it’s through joining a club, or starting one of their own or perhaps creating a special one-of-a-kind event.

These activities promote allround growth.

Fifty-two student clubs and numerous annual events include a Week of Welcome, AUD Desert Safari, International Night, Ramadan Tent, AUD Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony, Winter Ball, Thanksgiving Day and UAE National Day.

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