The Gulf Cooperation University College (GCUC) is adapting its educational focus to suit the needs of the regional market and ultimately benefit the career prospects of students.
Administrators at the GCUC are looking to maintain links between the college's research projects and public or private organisations.
It is doing so by educating more UAE nationals in aspects of modern technology and the college aims to be fully equipped with the latest technology in the Internet and communication.
The college, which recently relocated to its current premises in Ajman, obtained academic accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in July.
Dr Khalifa Rashid Al Shaali, the college's President, told Gulf News that he wanted the college to go even further. He said the GCUC, based in Ajman, has already become the first institution in the UAE to provide practical experience in addition to straight forward tuition.
"The Human Resources conference of the UN Development Programme held in Sharjah last year said that Arab countries had largely overlooked the need for practical training," he said.But he added that the Gulf Cooperation University College was reversing the trend.
"Currently we have two sections of law and business administration. The latter offers bachelor degrees in management, marketing, financial banking, tourism and hospitality management. We will soon start the third section which is an educational diploma."
He added that in 2004, the college would start post-graduate degree courses in law, business, environment and education.
"Every student is required to do an internship between the autumn and spring semesters of every year because in our programme we emphasise the application and practice of science as well," he said.
Students also have to finish field projects prior to their graduation.
Dr Al Shaali added that the institution also has an advantage over other educational institutions in that it operates the "credit hour" system in which each student should finish 140 hours of study before completing a degree.
"The students have from one to four years to get the degree. It depends on their own preference."
The college is going to establish a Community Service Centre, which is in the process of being licensed by the Ministry of Education and Youth. This centre will be for community education offering two years' higher diploma in education and environment.
In addition, Dr Al Shaali said the centre would offer consultancy services for the community.He added that the institution is planning to offer several post graduate programmes in the areas of education, business and law.
"We also have several international agreements with accredited universities in the U.S. and the UK in the pipeline, which are ready to be introduced in the academic year 2003-04."
The education laboratories comprising Internet, language, and computer training are open around the clock for students and the community.
"The college also concentrates on recruiting well-qualified faculty with PhD degrees as part of our emphasis on collaboration research with the business community," Dr Al Shaali added.He said 300 students from various countries are currently studying at the college.
"We are receiving more applications and it is expected to reach 650 in the next few years."
The institution was established in 1998 by His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman. It was then called the Arab University College but the name was changed in July this year to reflect a change in the institution's vision.
Some students work during the day and attend college in the evening. Next year, the college will organise a competition in programming and Internet development among high school students in the UAE.
Dr Al Shaali said the college is a non-profit-making organisation, and he added that its academic and institutional performance depends on structure and regulation.
The institution is considered to offer the top training programmes for students. Study plans at the institution are a direct result of scientific reasoning and research methods, he said.
Gulf News
