Sharjah, Monday, March 25, 2013--American University of Sharjah graduates can now apply to medical schools at American University of Beirut (AUB) and University of Balamand, provided they have completed pre-med science requirements, all of which are offered at AUS. AUS signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the two universities to this effect last week. A third MoU is expected to be signed soon with Lebanese American University (LAU) in this regard.

The MOUs recognize the shared values and goals between AUS and the two universities, and their joint commitment to foster diversity, ethical behavior, intellectual inquiry, and social and civic responsibility.

According to the MOUs, AUB and University of Balamand will evaluate AUS applicants to their medical schools as graduates from a "sister" university, with an educational background comparable to applicants now being admitted to these schools. Successful applicants must also meet minimum admission criteria in terms of major GPA, overall GPA, liberal arts preparation, MCAT and interview scores as published in the catalogs of these universities.

"Acknowledgement of the rigor of the AUS degree by these highly selective schools of medicine provides prima facie evidence that AUS students are on par with the best qualified graduates in the entire MENA region," commented Dr. Thomas Hochstettler, AUS Provost and Acting Chancellor.  "Access to top-flight medical education has opened broad new prospects for professional engagement for our graduates, and we are grateful to these fine universities for agreeing to accept our graduates on an even footing with their own." 

"This is an exciting initiative," said Dr. Mark Rush, Dean of the AUS College of Arts and Sciences. "It marks a great step forward insofar as it recognizes the breadth of criteria that medical schools now take into account when admitting students. Undergraduates can choose to major in virtually any field of study and still apply successfully to medical school. It is my hope that these MOUs embody the first of many joint ventures between our universities." Rush added that "agreements such as these frequently open doors for further collaboration among faculty. Our universities share a multitude of common interests, and I look forward to closer relations with them."

Dr. Fawwaz Jumean, Head of the AUS Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, added that, "Pre-med requirements have considerably evolved during the past decade, with graduates in not just science but also engineering, business, arts and humanities eligible to apply. AUS students, because of their impressive pre-med and liberal arts training and exposure, are in an excellent position to compete for medical school seats."

The Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences will soon hold a pre-med information session for students and their parents.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Miriam Kiwan
Director of Strategic Communications and Media
+971 6 515 1040
mkiwan@aus.edu

Nazzal Yousef
Director of Media Relations
+971 6 515 2157
nyousuf@aus.edu

About AUS
American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The university was envisaged by His Highness as a leading educational institution in the Gulf region. Located in University City, Sharjah, AUS is a not-for-profit, independent, institution of higher education formed on the American model.

It offers 26 majors and 54 minors at the undergraduate level, and 13 master's degrees through the College of Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the School of Business and Management. These programs are designed to meet the challenges of a competitive and dynamic business and industrial environment.

As a provider of quality higher education in the Gulf, AUS is licensed and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates. AUS is accredited in the United States of America by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and by the Department of Education of the State of Delaware.

The bachelor of science programs in chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering offered by the AUS College of Engineering are accredited by ABET, www.abet.org, of the United States. The Bachelor of Architecture program of the College of Architecture, Art and Design is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) of the United States. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) as well as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degrees offered by the School of Business and Management are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

© Press Release 2013