DUBAI — As the United Arab Emirates continues to promote itself as a regional centre of culture and academic excellence, degree status was recently conferred on the American University in the Emirates (AUE) for graduate courses it offers in fine arts and design, media and communications, and project administration.

The university opened its doors in the fall of 2007. Although it is a private institution with less than 350 students, it offers a number of postgraduate courses. University officials point out that degree courses in those areas are new to the Gulf region and have been very positively received.

Located in one of Dubai’s free zones, the university does not require the endorsement of the Dubai Ministry of Education to offer degree courses. The official backing of the government of Dubai, however, will raise its profile and help attract students.

Chairman of the College Council of Deans Mohammed Bin Saleh Bin Bad Al-Darmaki stated that the UAE is home to several highly-regarded universities, thanks to the support provided by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Al Nahyan and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The two leaders have ardently backed campaigns to earn Dubai the status of a place of academic excellence both within the United Arab Emirates and beyond.

AUE President Dr Mathani Razzaq explained that the university was founded to offer a varied academic programme to “meet the current and future needs of the workplace and ensure that graduates have a competitive edge, grounded in innovative and critical thinking.” He added that the university “will give broad opportunities to holders of intermediate qualifications to complete their education and obtain degrees without losing the benefit of their previous studies.”

As an incentive to students, Razzaq said the American University in the Emirates “will be offering scholarships, grants and discounted fees. We are focused on ensuring that students can complete their university education. Our principal goal is to provide a service to the community, not to make a profit.”

Sources: Al-Khaleej/ AMEInfo/ The National