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Take broad steps to secure future career Ensure your university of choice is rightfully accredited
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or every student out there, choosing a university is an important decision that needs to have a good chunk of your time spent to zero in on one best suited to your interests. While the brand of degree is equally essential, accreditation plays a great role in determining the qualification’s worth. There are 107 universities and colleges in the UAE, but only few accredited by a local or international body. Those that are verified hold a certification that officially states that the university meets all formal requirements of academic excellence, curriculum, facilities, etc. To become accredited, a university often undergoes an intense process of scrutinising different aspects of educational offerings. Commenting on the topic, Dr Ron Bradfield, Director, University of Strathclyde, Business School, UAE, said: “We firmly believe that an accreditation provides a comprehensive analysis and an objective measure of a business school’s quality. This means that students can be confident that all the work we do — whether it’s our research, our teaching, our approach to how we encourage students to learn and the extent to which we offer them international opportunities, in sum, the totality of the business education that the university delivers — meets the highest global standards. In addition to hosting government accreditation by local ministries of higher education, there are other independent accrediting bodies around the world, where a few have attained a respectable reputation of granting credible accreditations. These include the Accreditation
Attracting the best The University of Sharjah has become a centre of excellence and innovation By Sadiq Shaban
Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) for engineering schools and programmes; the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for business schools and programmes; and the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of the US for architecture programmes. Looking at top-notch education systems in the UAE, the University of Strathclyde is one that holds AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB certification. “Strathclyde is among an elite group of less than 1 per cent of the world’s business schools that hold triple international accreditation and our MBA programme is also locally accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Our graduates can be assured that the quality of their MBA will be internationally recognised by recruiters and employers,” said Dr Bradfield. Similarly, Abu Dhabi University is
home to three programmes — Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Electrical Engineering — that is accredited by ABET, a primary and recognised organisation that certifies engineering programmes in the US and abroad. On the other hand, Zayed University’s College of Business, College of Education and College of Technological Innovation have all been accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business, the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and ABET, respectively. Programmes offered by the College of Engineering (University of Sharjah) are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Accreditation is currently in progress for programmes in the College of Business Administration by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
The University of Sharjah (UOS) was established in 1997 under the patronage of High Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah to meet the emirate’s aim of educational needs. Over the years the University has become a centre of excellence and innovation. Playing an important role in the socio-economic development of the emirate, the University of Sharjah offers its services with 93 programmes at the bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels in 14 colleges, a renowned medical campus, and eight domain clusters. It is the only university in the UAE to employ the concept of domain clusters, colleges and similar centres (under the University) in close proximity while the main campus is located on the southern edge of Sharjah, close to the Sharjah International Airport. The University of Sharjah offers courses in Medicine, Engineering, Sciences, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business, Management, Finance, Fine Arts, Design, Communication and Journalism, apart from Law. There are several active departments and units that focus on providing the best services to meet the various requirements of the faculty, administrative staff and students. The University offers services like student centre, student fund office, dorms, transportation and recreation facilities in the campus. As per the latest Webometrics Ranking of World Universities, the University of Sharjah is ranked among the top 10 in the UAE. —sadiq@khaleejtimes.com
1- Has a wide range of programs (17 masters and 7 PhDs). 2- All programs are fully licensed and accredited.
3- Observes highest international standards in terms of quality and content. 4- Highly qualified faculty members.
5- Distinguished lab facilities and library.
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Tafseer and Hadith
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Hadith and its Sciences
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Arabic Language
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Exegesis and Quran Sciences
2 4 5 6 7 8 9
Jurisprudence and its Foundations Translation
History and Islamic Civilization Applied Sociology
Executive Master in Business Administration Engineering Management Civil Engineering
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Electrical and Electronics Engineering
12
Public Law
11 13 14 15 16 17
Computer Engineering Private Law
Communication
Molecular Medicine and Translational Research Leadership in Higher Education Computer Science
2 4 5 6 7
Jurisprudence and its Foundations Engineering Management Private Law Public Law
Molecular Medicine and Translational Research
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ABET, AACSB and NAAB Accredited Institutes
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Up-to-date with dynamic employment market Abu Dhabi University’s College of Engineering programmes receive ABET accreditation Three College of Engineering programmes in Abu Dhabi University were among the first programmes to receive international
accreditation. Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Electrical Engineering received accreditation by ABET, a primary and recognised organisation that accredits engineering programmes in the US and abroad. Accreditation was granted after the ABET evaluation team visited Abu Dhabi University in 2013 and assessed its programme outcomes, faculty, and facilities. The ABET accreditation is a strong evidence that the College
of Engineering at Abu Dhabi University offers programmes that are consistent with international standards for producing graduates, who are ready to excel in their professional lives. ABET accreditation also means its graduates are empowered with the knowledge and skills that are most needed for today’s dynamic employment market. Graduates of the three ABET accredited programmes are now eligible to apply for professional licensure in the US.
Distinction within UAE’s national context Pioneers in business and management education A Strathclyde MBA delivers a highly collaborative, experiential and international learning experience The University of Strathclyde Business School will mark its 20th anniversary in the UAE later this year, where its topranked Executive MBA is taught
on a part-time and face-to-face basis in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. As one of less than 1 per cent of business schools with triple international accreditation — AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS — Strathclyde Business School is globally recognised, and is one of Europe’s leading providers of business and management education. The Strathclyde MBA is also accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The Strathclyde MBA delivers a
highly collaborative, experiential and international learning experience. Students work alongside classmates from different countries and can opt to take elective subjects in Scotland (Glasgow) or at the school’s international centres in Greece (Athens), Bahrain, Hong Kong, Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Oman (Muscat), Singapore, and Switzerland (Zurich). “An MBA from an internationally recognised institution adds a lot of weight to your CV,” says Fazeela Gopalani, current student on the Strathclyde MBA in Dubai. “I work for a large, wellknown global company and I knew that, to progress my career, it was essential for me to have an internationally recognised MBA, which is why I selected the Strathclyde MBA. I liked the subjects offered and the emphasis on strategy. It’s a part-time, twoyear programme and everything is in my hometown. What’s more, if I can’t make it to a class in Dubai, I can attend the class in Abu Dhabi — it’s not far and the flexibility of the programme allows for that. The Strathclyde MBA is an amazing course.” Visit www.strath.ae to find out more.
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We’ve been at the forefront of business education since 1966. Our MBA and Masters programmes are consistently ranked among the best: with a decade of triple accreditation and our research excellence (1st in Scotland, top 10 UK: REF 2014), perhaps that’s no surprise. A key player in the UAE since 1995, we offer the prestigious Executive MBA in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The programmes are delivered part time over the weekends so you don’t have to give up your job and are accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Excellence is our bottom line.
www.strath.ac.uk/business
The UAE has emerged as the new hub for higher education with students preferring it to other options By Sadiq Shaban
Owing to significant strides the country has made in the field of higher education, the UAE already finds mention in the world’s emerging education centres. Dubai alone has more than 25 branch campuses of leading foreign universities, making it the highest number in the world. The UAE government’s goals for higher education have been designed to assure high quality education to students who enter the country’s education system. As part of the national agenda for education, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the twin objectives regarding the UAE’s ranking in international assessments: The country’s aim to be among the 15 highest performing nations in trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. The UAE aspires to be among the 20 highest performing countries in the programme for International Student Assessment. In the run-up to 2020, the UAE’s position as a regional education hub that serves Emiratis, expats and others from across the region and beyond is firmly established. —sadiq@khaleejtimes.com
Zayed University is at the vanguard of the UAE’s public institutions through its commitment to both institutional and specialised accreditations Zayed University was founded in 1998 with the mission of becoming a high-quality, studentcentred, comprehensive university that would educate the UAE’s future leaders and actively contribute to the nation’s social and economic development. An academic programme model built on clear educational outcomes has carried the university through the rapid growth and development that took place since its creation. Zayed University is one university with two campuses, welcoming national and international male and female students in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The administrative structure and governance systems of Zayed University are designed with best international practices. Zayed University’s US-style general education programme distinguishes the university within the UAE’s national context. It expects students to think independently, and supports faculty in their mentoring role by carefully preserving academic freedom, characterised both by the free flow of ideas that is fundamental to a university, and by respect for the principles of the culture and the values of the UAE.
The university is at the vanguard of the UAE’s public institutions through its commitment to both institutional and specialised accreditations. Zayed University is one of two independently accredited institutions within the UAE. This accreditation is through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, one of six regional accreditation bodies in the US. At the disciplinary level, the College of Business, College of Technological Innovation, and College of Education have all been accredited by their disciplinary bodies: hh The College of Business is accredited by the “Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business”. This accreditation represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees. Less than 5 per cent of business schools worldwide have earned this accreditation. hh The College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Zayed University’s College of education is the first, outside of the US, to be internationally accredited. hh Two programmes within the College of Technological Innovation are internationally accredited by ABET, which has been an international leader in higher education quality assurance for over 75 years. For more information about Zayed University’s undergraduate and graduate programmes, visit: www.zu.ac.ae