Dubai, January 9, 2011 - The American University in Dubai (AUD) graced the start of the Spring Semester of 2011 with its Freshman Orientation, catering to new students. Dubbed "New U", AUD's Orientation program, organized by the Office of Student Services in collaboration with the Student Government Association (SGA), took place today on campus.

Freshman students were introduced to the university experience, got acquainted with the campus facilities and environment, and the city of Dubai, and learnt about the University's policies and procedures. Students were also led by Student Orientation Leaders (SOL) on an on-campus tour, and then visited their respective schools and faculties, after having gathered in the Auditorium to hear welcome speeches by the AUD President, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, and the Student Services' Team.

AUD's President, Dr. Lance de Masi, greeted the new students, emphasizing the academic excellence the University has been providing over the past decade, and urging the youth, who have chosen AUD as the academic destination, to adopt the following traits throughout their University studies and beyond:  "Do your best... Be humble... Take initiative... Respect others... Seek balance... Be open to new ideas... Develop thick skin... Assume responsibility... Consume books... Have fun! I hope that AUD helps you achieve your dreams; and should you not have any, help you get a few."

In turn, Dr. Jihad Nader, AUD's Provost and Chief Academic Officer, commented, to new students, on AUD's liberal education, stressing that AUD provided the type of education which emphasizes an individual's whole development in addition to providing an in-depth knowledge of one or more professional fields.

During Orientation, new students gain a better understanding of the challenging and exciting AUD experience, and are motivated to promote their vital involvement in the activities of the University community at large and to seek education outside the classroom with student clubs and extracurricular activities. Departmental meetings, where students are usually given the opportunity to hear from the Deans and Chairs of their respective departments, also took place.

When asked about the educational aspiration projected by Orientation, Mrs. Bushra Finaish, Assistant Dean of Student Services and Student Support Manager asserted that Orientation provides students with the opportunity to learn about the various support services available to them to enable academic success and engagement in life on campus.

She concludes "The focus on student-to-student interaction allowed the more senior students to share their perspectives and insights with the incoming freshmen class and was thus deemed of a great added asset to all students".

A series of presentations, introducing AUD's Student Services Team, and discussing the University's various departments and services, were conducted and included the University's Health Center, Housing Division, Student Counseling Office, Career Services Division, Athletics Office, Registrar, IT Services, Grievance Policy and Institutional Effectiveness Department, as well as the Library's services and resources.

The Student Services Office at AUD organized an interesting evening on Orientation day, as the latter was brought to an end with a Pizza and Movie Night and Make Your Own Sundae, to better help new comers mingle with their peers.

-Ends-

About AUD
The American University in Dubai 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 officially licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates. The Ministry has accredited the university's programs in Architecture, Business Administration (both undergraduate and graduate), Communication and Information Studies, Engineering, Information Technology, Visual Communication and Interior Design, in addition to a Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies program.

AUD is approved to operate by the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission (NPEC).

AUD has received specialized accreditation for its Bachelor's of Business Administration (B.B.A.), and Master's of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree programs in business through the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). The university's undergraduate concentrations in Marketing Communications and Advertising (Creative) have been accredited by the International Advertising Association (IAA) in New York.

All programs (i.e., Civil, Computer, and Electrical Engineering) of AUD's School of Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology (B.S.C.I.T.) program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

www.aud.edu

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Rim Ibrahim
Marketing Communications Coordinator
American University in Dubai
T. +971 4 3183 139
E. ribrahim@aud.edu

© Press Release 2011