Advanced Placement credit reward system exempts students from equivalent ADU courses

20th June 2011 - Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), giving IAT graduates the advantage of receiving college credit for courses they have taken in high school.

Under the MoU, there are specific IAT courses that have been identified and considered as equivalent to ADU courses. IAT students who earned various courses in English, Computer & IT, Math, Engineering Math, Science, Advanced Physics, AutoCad and Visual Programming will be exempt from taking some of the foundational and major courses in ADU.

Dr. Terry Motiuk, Vice Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, explained that Emirati IAT graduates undertaking undergraduate courses at ADU can now receive credits for some of the courses they took in high school.  "Some of the key courses covered under this arrangement are in the field of Science and Technology," he said, "and IAT graduates w are eligible to earn credits to help further advance their studies at ADU.

"Such an arrangement, we believe, will encourage students to seek continued education for their own personal and professional development," he added.

Eligibility of students for the college credits for courses taken in high school is conditional, based on the successful completion of their choice of an IAT-ATHS career cluster and fulfillment of all ADU admission requirements. This includes submission of application and supporting documents, and a minimum IELTS score of 5 on all skills criteria.

Dr. Motiuk adds, "ADU partners with a number of leading schools and organizations locally and internationally with the objective of improving the quality of education. With its extensive resources it is recognized as a premier center for education within the UAE - an important assurance to students seeking access to research and career opportunities."

Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Managing Director of IAT commended the new alliance which stands to benefit entrants to ADU who have successfully graduated from IAT and seek opportunities in the various fields of Applied Technology. Students will gain access to extensive resources and unparalleled research opportunities.

Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Managing Director of the Institute of Applied Technology indicated that the agreement is distinguished since the course equivalency includes nearly eight subjects at the university level (which amounts to 24 credit hours typically studied during a semester and a half) for graduates of the Applied Technology High Schools. "This clearly indicates the outstanding efforts invested by the Institute to improve its graduates' academic level through the adoption and development of scientific curricula benchmarked with the highest International Standards which qualifies them for advanced performance in international tests in various scientific fields, particularly in the areas of math, science, English and information technology.

-Ends-

Editor's notes:
The IAT is a group of 5 technology-based high schools in the UAE that offer the same Career Technical Education (CTE) curriculum developed centrally by the Academic Services of the IAT Directorate.

The academic progress of the IAT students will be monitored by a committee of members from both ADU and IAT before subsequent reward of AP credits. The committee will also serve advisors to further changes in the initial agreement.

Among the ADU courses that are equivalent to some of IAT courses include English 1, Situational Conversation, Introduction to IT Applications, Mathematics for Science & Technology, College Mathematics General Statistics, Calculus 1, Physics & Engineering Applications 1, as well as third-year courses in Computer Aided Drawing, and Windows Programming using Visual Basic.

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© Press Release 2011