US Secretary of Education Applauds AUD Education Level
Dubai, May 29, 2008. The US Secretary of Education, Mrs. Margaret Spellings praised the senior projects presented by students of The American University in Dubai (AUD), including a mine detecting robot and a web-based smart home project that won first place earlier this year at the regional UAE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) competition. She spoke of the high level of performance of both the administrative and teaching bodies of the university, commenting on the effectiveness of the curricula. This came during Secretary Spellings' visit to the AUD campus after she attended the graduation ceremony earlier that week.
During her visit to AUD, Secretary Spellings toured the different faculties and labs at AUD, and had a chance to meet with students discussing their projects and their education. "The faculty and students were very appreciative of Mrs. Spellings approachability, and thoroughly enjoyed conversing with her about their career and graduate study plans; we thank Secretary Spellings for taking the time to visit the engineering labs at AUD, and for her unwavering support of higher education", commented Dr. Alaa Ashmawy, Dean of School of Engineering.
About Secretary Spellings' discussions with the engineering students, Dr. Ashmawy continued: "It is a great point of pride for the AUD School of Engineering, and particularly to our engineering students, to have had the chance to meet with Secretary Spellings and update her on their recent regional achievements. Our students were delighted to share with the visitor the mine detecting robot they designed, as well as the web-based smart home project that won first place earlier this year at the regional IEEE competition."
Secretary Spellings also complimented the level of education in the UAE, stressing that the American University in Dubai was a true model of a successful American Education Institution, confirmed by its recent Accreditation by SACS.
Referring to the various relationships built by AUD with other US based universities; Secretary Spellings highlighted the importance of bringing experts and American officials to the region to exchange experiences and to establish fellowships.
Executive Vice President Elias Bou Saab commented: "It was an honor to welcome Secretary Spellings on campus as we laud her ideas, opinions and efforts as the US Secretary of Education. We had the pleasure of having Secretary Spellings as our keynote speaker during the Eleventh Commencement Exercises of AUD, and with her direction, we are looking forward to increased partnerships with education institutions in the US."
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The American University in Dubai is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning founded in 1995; it serves UAE nationals and international students who seek world-class career-oriented education. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges (COC) of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) to award Bachelor's and Master's degrees. AUD is licensed by the Washington DC Education License Commission. It is also licensed and its programs are accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. For more information, please visit www.aud.edu.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Rim Ibrahim,
External Affairs Coordinator,
Tel (04 3183139),
Fax (04 3998899)
ribrahim@aud.edu
© Press Release 2008
