AMMAN - The Arab Open University (AOU) will introduce seven new BA programmes in its six branches across the region in the 2008/2009 academic year, according to an AOU official.
AOU Director Talib Sarei said the decision was taken based on a comprehensive study on Arab labour markets needs.
"We seek to make our graduates fit local market needs by combining specialties into one track, such as business administration and English language," Sarei told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday. In addition to education, computers, language and business studies, the new combined specialties include business and computer studies, ICT marketing and ICT management and computer sciences.
The AOU has already obtained general accreditation from the mother university in Britain and the institution hopes to get accreditation approval for the new tracks by July this year, Sarei noted.Over 24,000 students study in the six AOU branches with 2,400 students enrolled in the university's branch in Jordan, he said.
Under an agreement with the UK Open University (UKOU), the AOU adopts the UKOU curricula and students undertake their exams under its close supervision, Sarei added.
"This entitles our students to graduate with a dual degree from UKOU and AOU," he pointed out.
Sarei noted that the university will launch an electronic magazine entitled "International Arab Journal of e-Technology", to provide a forum for original research in the field of e-technology, adding that it will also be an opportunity for researchers to exchange information and knowledge.The magazine's topics will include 20 different issues such as e-banking, e-business, e-government and e-security, among others.
Last year, Her Majesty Queen Rania and Prince Talal Ben Abdul Aziz laid the cornerstone for the new AOU campus in Jordan. The campus, which is set to be completed by September 2009, is located on a 12,000-square-metre plot of land in Tabarbour allocated by the government.
The AOU Jordan branch graduated its first batch in August 2005, with some 400 students receiving bachelors degrees in education and higher diploma certificates.The aim of the university is to produce graduates who are able to embrace the latest technology and work in a globalised economy.
Its open learning system is designed to offer educational opportunities to all.The school has branches in Kuwait (where it is headquartered), Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
By Hani Hazaimeh
© Jordan Times 2008