Arab Open University
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (September 2011) |
الجامعة العربية المفتوحة | |
 | |
| Motto | Towards a promising future |
|---|---|
| Type | Private |
| Established | 2002 |
| President | Prince Talal ibn Abdulaziz |
| Rector | Musa Mihsein |
| Location | |
| Website | |
Arab Open University (AOU, in Arabic الجامعة العربية المفتوحة) is a non-profit, private Pan Arab university founded in 2002. The university occupies several campuses located across the Middle East, including in Kuwait, Jordan, and Lebanon. In 2003 campuses were opened in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Oman. The AOU is affiliated with the UK Open University (UKOU). Four validated programs have been established:
- Faculty of Information Technology and Computing
- Faculty of Language Studies (English language)
- Faculty of Business Studies
- Faculty of Educational Studies[1]
Saudi Arabia branches
In 2003, a year following the establishment of the AOU, the inaugural Saudi Arabian campus was opened in Riyadh, the nation's capital. Since its launch, the Riyadh branch has experienced significant success, with the center currently catering to a total of 1,500 students.[2] Saudi Arabia's universities have traditionally accepted predominantly Saudi Arabian students, while students from other nationalities have been turned away.[citation needed]. However, the AOU was established with a more open approach. The AOU website explains its philosophy of "An Open System of Education", whereby it is flexible in its capacity to accommodate a "wider base of Higher Education (HE) seekers".[3]
In 2008, the SAB expanded further and offered a greater range of certifications for students, improving upon the single option that existed in each department prior to the change. Additionally, the university announced the commencement of three more programs, a decision that proved financially advantageous because of an increase in the number of students applying.[citation needed]
Teaching methods
The AOU teaching methods are a mixture between a distant learning system and a normal university system. Students go to the branch frequently, especially full time students, who might need to visit the branch three times a week. A quarter of their time is spent in the branch. The university also offers each student the online Learning Management System (LMS), where students can access assessment components, participants, and tutors online.
Undergraduate programs 2010
The AOU offers three programs co-awarded in collaboration with the United Kingdom Open University (UKOU). The AOU offering the following certifications:
IT department
- BSc Computing
- BSc Computing with Business
- BSc Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technologies
- BSc Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Computing
Business department
- BA Business Studies – Systems track
- BA Business Studies – Economics track
- BA Business Studies – Accounting track
- BA Business Studies – Marketing track
- BA Business Studies
English department
- BA English Language and Literature
- BA English Language with Business
Education department
- BA Elementary Education
- BA Special Education – Mental Retardation[4]
Academic calendar
The AOU has three semesters: first, second, and summer.[5]
References
- ^ Vaclav Snasel, Jan Platos, Eyas El-Qawasmeh, ed. (2011). Digital Information Processing and Communications: International ..., Part 1 (Google book (uploaded)). Berlin Heidelberg: Springer. p. 333. ISBN 978-3-642-22388-4.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - ^ AOU, History. [2008]. Available from:'http://www.arabou.org.sa/en/history.php '(Accessed 15 Aug 2010)
- ^ "Open Learning" (Web page). arabou.edu.kw (in English and Arabic). Arab Open University. 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ AOU, undergraduate programs. [2010], Available from:' http://www.arabou.org.sa/en/undergraduateprg.php# ' (Accessed 15 Aug 2010).
- ^ AOU, KSA. Academic Calendar. [2010]. Available from http://www.arabou.org.sa/en/calendar.php (accessed 15 Aug 2010).