International Universities in the United Arab Emirates
Western institutions of higher education are developing a presence in the United Arab Emirates. Currently, the United Arab Emirates is home to the following American and Canadian campuses and centers:
The American University in Dubai (AU-Dubai)
The AU-Dubai is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995, and is a branch campus of the American InterContinental University in Atlanta, Georgia, AU-Dubai is separately accredited from the American InterContinental University (in the USA) by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degree.
AU-Dubai has the following undergraduate schools/departments: School of Business Administration; School of Engineering; Department of Information Technology; Department of Interior Design; Department of Visual Communication; School of Communication and Information Studies. Its only graduate degree is in business administration. It also has a separate English proficiency center.
AU-Dubai has an enrolment of about 2,850 students with 83 different nationalities.
George Mason University Ras Al Khaimah Campus (GMU-RAK)
Ras Al Khaimah is the fourth-largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates. GMU-RAK is a branch campus of George Mason University, of Fairfax, Virginia. Students who attend GMU-RAK receive letters of admission, transcripts, and diplomas from George Mason University in Virginia.
Currently, the following programs are offered: BSc in Biology with a concentration in biotechnology; BSc in Electronics and Communications Engineering with a concentration in information technology; BSc in Business Administration with concentrations both in finance and international business; BSc in Economics; BSc in Health, Fitness and Recreation resources with a concentration in tourism and events management; BSc in Geography with a concentration in geographical information systems.
Students at GMU-RAK are from the following countries: India, UAE, Palestine, USA, Egypt, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen, and Korea.
Additionally, as of January 2008, a Study Abroad Program for American students was initiated, giving American students the opportunity to spend a semester or a year at the campus to study and experience Arab culture.
Michigan State University Dubai (MSU Dubai)
Michigan State University of East Lansing, Michigan, has committed to establishing a strong academic presence in Dubai International Academic City. MSU Dubai is slated to open in August 2008. As with the GMU-RAK (above), MSU Dubai will operate under the same standards as its home campus, and degrees and diplomas will be awarded from the home campus.
Degrees to be offered are: Bachelor of Science in Family Community Services; Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering; Bachelor of Science in Construction Management; Bachelor of Science in Media and Communication Technology; Master of Arts in Educational Technology; Master’s Degree in Human Resources; Master of Science in Packaging; Master of Science in Retailing. Additionally, in the 2009-2010 academic year, the following Master’s programs will be available: Master of Arts in Advertising; Master of Arts in Public Relations; Master of Science in Supply Chain Management.
Enrolment is open to UAE nationals and to foreign nationals.
Harvard Medical School Dubai Center (HMS-Dubai Center) Institute for Postgraduate Education and Research (HMSDC)
HMS-Dubai Center was launched in 2004 in a joint effort between Harvard Medical International and Dubai Healthcare City. HMS-Dubai Center is part of the Government of Dubai’s mission to develop Dubai Healthcare City into a center of excellence for health care delivery, medical education, and research. HMS-Dubai Center was established to foster the professional development of physicians, nurses, research scientists, allied health professionals, and medical educators in the Gulf Region. Its programs fall into two broad categories: continuing professional development (CPD), including Continuing Medical Education (CME), and postgraduate training.
Canadian University of Dubai (CU-Dubai)
In 2006, Toronto’s Centennial College, in collaboration with Emirates Investment, was instrumental in the establishment of the Canadian University of Dubai. The Canadian partners of CU-Dubai are: Athabasca University; University of New Brunswick; Nova Scotia Agricultural College; University of Ontario Institute of Technology; Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology; Niagara College; University of Calgary. The school also has partners with four French higher education institutions, and the Dublin Business School.
The CU-Dubai website states, “As a portal to Canadian Higher Education, CU-Dubai offers a unique opportunity to students who plan to continue their studies in Canada, with the added bonus of being able to transfer credits obtained whilst studying at CU-Dubai.” As a result of the collaborations, students can transfer credits to Canadian (and related international) schools.
In fall 2007, Dr. Karim Chelli, the principal of the university described CU-Dubai as "the first Canadian University outside Canadian borders." However, as explained on the CU-Dubai site, the programs are “… accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (UAE) are delivered by highly qualified and inspirational faculty in an excellent learning environment, with the back up of state-of the-art technology and facilities.” The accreditation is from the United Arab Emirates, not from Canada.
CU-Dubai’s currently accredited programs include: Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing; Bachelor of Business Administration in E-Business; Bachelor of Business Administration in E-Business; Bachelor of Science in Computer Networking Engineering Technology; Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health Management; Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management; Bachelor of Science in Health Organizations Management. More than a dozen other programs are either in the process of being accredited or being submitted for accreditation, including health programs (i.e., Doctor of Dental Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, Bachelor of Science in Health Nutrition, Certificate in Advanced Studies in Dentistry, Master of Science in Dentistry, Master of Science in Health). Enrolment is open to citizens and non-citizens of the United Arab Emirates.
Boston University Institute for Dental Research and Education Dubai
In Dubai’s Healthcare City, Boston University is preparing to offer a three year combined Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAGS) and Master's of Science Degree (MSD) in the following specialties:
- Advanced Education General Dentistry
- Dental Public Health (to be offered 2009)
- Endodontics
- Implantology (to be offered in 2009)
- Operative Dentistry (to be offered in 2009)
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Program (to be offered in 2010)
- Orthodontics
- Postdoctoral Prosthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Periodontology
Note: These programs are not currently eligible for accreditation by the American Dental Association. Neither the programs nor the Certificates/Degrees will confer eligibility to register for US dental specialty board examinations or to obtain US state licensure.
American University of Sharjah (AUS)
The American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. AUS is an independent, not-for-profit coeducational institution. AUS is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and School, in the USA.
AUS operates in English.
AUS offers 21 Bachelor's degrees and 13 Master's degrees in the following academic areas: College of Arts and Sciences; College of Engineering; School of Architecture and Design; School of Business Management.
