Dr. Sharon Siverts brings wealth of international experience to new role

Ras Al Khaimah, March 4, 2007- George Mason University, Ras Al Khaimah Campus has announced the appointment of Sharon Siverts, PhD, as vice president.

Siverts, a renowned educationalist, has been in the field of academic administration for more than 25 years. Having served both in the United States and internationally, she has a wealth of experience in higher education and academic administration.

A former Fellow in Academic Administration, American Council on Education, Siverts holds a doctorate in teacher education from The Pennsylvania State University, USA. She also earned a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science from Ohio University, USA, in teacher education. Her areas of special interest include educational development and reform in developing countries particularly related to teacher education and higher education.

Prior to her appointment as vice president of  the George Mason University, Ras Al Khaimah Campus, Siverts was director of the Commission for Academic Accreditation, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, UAE - the agency responsible for overseeing the quality of private higher education in the UAE through licensing institutions and accrediting their academic programs.

Siverts is an international resource speaker and writer on international education, quality assurance/accreditation, family and consumer sciences, teaching and learning, curriculum and evaluation, higher education and teacher training. Siverts has held leadership roles internationally including program specialist, Teacher Education, UNESCO, Paris; vice chancellor, University of Botswana and vice chancellor, Kampala International University.

During her time working in the United States, Siverts held a number of academic and administrative posts at various universities and was national president of four professional associations. She was also a member of the board of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the International Association of University Presidents and associate board member of the International Association of Universities.

George Mason University is reputed internationally for the opportunities provided to its students. The original campus is located in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. Established in 1957, George Mason University currently enrolls more than 30,500 students in 173 degree programs and its academic programs are recognized world wide.

At present, the Ras Al Khaimah Campus offers three undergraduate programs including a BS in Business Administration, BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering and a BS in Biology along with an English Language Foundation program.

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George Mason University - Ras Al Khaimah
George Mason University, Ras Al Khaimah is a branch campus of George Mason University, Virginia, USA and the first full branch campus of an American university in the United Arab Emirates. An initiative of the Ras Al Khaimah  Education company (EDRAK), the Ras Al Khaimah Campus of George Mason is set to position Ras Al Khaimah as the new education hub in the United Arab Emirates. As such, George Mason University, Ras Al Khaimah Campus is considered to be one of the most important developments in higher education in the region. The campus offers programs in management, biology and engineering and will be adding new programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the future. Additionally a new campus is under construction, opening August 2008.  The Ras Al Khaimah Campus has an English Language Institute which began a Foundation Program in the United Arab Emirates in 2005. Students studying at the Ras Al Khaimah Campus seamlessly transfer to the University's Virginia, USA branch. More information can be acquired from http://rak.gmu.edu  

Media Contacts: 
Jennifer Freeman
Public Relations Manager
George Mason University
Fairfax Campus, USA
703 993-8699
jfreemaa@gmu.edu 

Lina Anani / Sami Al Shorafa                                                                 
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© Press Release 2007