Delegates extend
their Support to AUD’s Pursuit of Academic
Excellence
Dubai,
November 15th 2008.
A US Congressional
Delegation, lead by Congressman Ruben Hinojosa,
Chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education,
Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness in the United
States House of Representatives, visited The
American University in Dubai (AUD) as part of
its initiative to interrelate to international
institutions that have sought and achieved
accreditation by agencies recognized by the US
Department of Education.
The Delegation
comprised Congressional Representatives Mazi Hirono,
Grace Napolitano, Ed Pastor and Henry Brown. Among
the visiting body were, US Consul General in the
Dubai and Northern Emirates Paul Sutphin and US
Consulate Public Affairs Officer Bernadette Meehan.
Ricardo Martinez and Julie Radocchia, members of the
Committee on Education and Labor at the US House of
Representatives, were also among the attendees.
The
Delegation was greeted by Dr. Lance de Masi, AUD’s
President, Mr. Elias Bou Saab, AUD’s Executive Vice
President, the Provost and Chief Academic Officer
and Deans from various schools at AUD.
The
delegation toured the University’s campus and
different facilities, and outlined, with the
University’s administrative and faculty
representatives, the quest for academic excellence
the University has been committed to, over the past
decade, as a premier institution of higher education
in the GCC region. The MBRSC was the highlight of
the discussion as it constitutes the latest
endeavors substantiated by AUD under the directives
of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid
Al Maktoum,
UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Ruler of
Dubai.
The significance of bridging affiliations between
AUD and other US based universities and the
importance of bringing experts and American
officials to the region to exchange experiences and
establish fellowships were also among the
highlighted subjects.
Congressman Hinojosa praised His Highness Sheikh
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his vision of
higher education, for his unparalleled support and
his commitment to providing educational
opportunities to the youth that is exemplified in
the latest initiative of conferring
scholarships
to the MBRSC. Commenting on the feedback he received
from AUD’s Clinton Scholars and Study Abroad
students upon meeting and interacting with them
during the tour, he said, “We came to know about the
students’ own impressions on the study abroad
programs offered in joint academic ventures between
AUD and other US based Universities; such programs
broaden the students horizon to better comprehend
globalization of higher education and become aware
of the importance of the tremendous social and
economic growth in the UAE.” He asserted that the
reason those students came to Dubai is to study the
American curriculum outside the US and see how they
are progressing along the way in such a rich journey
combining academia and culture.
During
their visit, members of the Delegation complimented
the level of education in the UAE, learnt about
activities and experiences of US Colleges and
Universities that operate overseas and gained a
greater understanding of international institutions,
such as AUD, that hold US accreditation.
The American
University in Dubai is a private, non-sectarian
institution of higher learning founded in 1995; it
serves UAE nationals and international students who
seek world-class career-oriented education. It is
accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
AUD is officially
licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and
Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. The
Ministry has accredited the university’s programs in
Business Administration (both undergraduate
and graduate),
Communication and Information Studies, Engineering,
Information Technology, Interior Design and Visual
Communication.
AUD holds an Agent's
License issued by the District of Columbia Education
Licensure Commission (Washington, DC, USA). AUD is
approved to operate by the State of Georgia
Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).
www.aud.edu.
For
more information, please contact:
Ms.
Rim Ibrahim, External Affairs Coordinator, Tel (04
3183139), Fax (04 3998899)
