The first guidebook for universities in the growing Middle East North Africa (MENA) region has been launched by American University of Sharjah (AUS) in the UAE.
Available in both English and Arabic, the eBook is free to download and gives parents and students information on seven key elements about the universities and colleges in the area where almost 25% of students study in other nations within the region.
Ali Shuhaimy, Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at AUS, said: “Having recently completed an AUS roadshow in Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan and having spent years talking to students, parents and school teachers in the region, it is clear that there is a real and pressing need for a concise document to support all parties when selecting a university, either locally or internationally.”
Only three universities in the region – UAE University, AUS and Abu Dhabi University – feature in international rankings. As a result, the guide focuses on informing students on the key areas they should look at when choosing a university including early application, academic accreditation, recruitment history, tuition fees, curriculum, location and global reputation.
The guide focuses on informing students on the key areas they should look at when choosing a university
“We tell people that rankings are a good indicator of quality education but it’s not the only factor,” Shuhaimy said. “We say in the book that some institutions may not be in a position to be ranked but they still may be good.
“Younger institutions may not be in a rankings list but that does not mean they are bad.”
The guide also encourages students to consider the strength of an institution’s relationship with employers, which AUS says is a factor “often overlooked by those considering a university”.
Additionally, it highlights the facilities that students from various countries should look for to ensure that they feel at home. AUS says showing the importance of cultural diversity and integration at a university is “an important issue in an increasingly interconnected world”.
There were over six million higher education students in the region in 2010, reflecting a 66% increase in the last ten years. As the region’s economies develop, cross border education is becoming more important to universities who are working to establish quality assurance practices. At AUS alone, around half of the 87 nationalities come from the MENA region, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. “We pride ourselves in supporting these students and helping them integrate into the campus community,” added Shuhaimy.
Almost 25% of students study in other nations within the region
Last year the Institute for International Education published a report which included a comprehensive classification model aimed at providing benchmarks and key indicators on which universities can measure their growth and compare themselves to similar institutions.
