Interior Ministry makes great strides in enhancing national security landscape    MWL Chief meets Pope Francis in Vatican University of Bologna confers on Sheikh Al-Issa Honorary Fellowship in Law    Abdullah Kamel unveils plans to launch halal certificate similar to ISO Value of global halal market exceeds $2 trillion    Emir of Madinah launches first phase of Madinah Gate project worth SR600 million    Saudi Arabia starts Gulf Cup 26 campaign with a disappointing loss to Bahrain    Gulf Cup: Hervé Renard calls for Saudi players to show pride    Oman optimistic about Al-Yahyaei's return for crucial Gulf Cup clash with Qatar    Qatar coach Garcia promises surprises as they seek first Gulf Cup 26 win    Liberal leaders say they have a plan for a new, more effective anti-Trump resistance    Stampedes at Christmas charity events kill 67 people in Nigeria    A man's suicide leads to clamor around India's dowry law    Slovak PM meets Putin in surprise Moscow visit    Environment minister inaugurates Yanbu Grain Handling Terminal    Saudi deputy FM meets Sudan's Sovereign Council chief in Port Sudan    Kuwait, India to elevate bilateral relations to strategic partnership Sheikh Mishal awards Mubarak Al-Kabir Medal to Modi    Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Oscars buzz for playing 'difficult' woman    PDC collaboration with MEDLOG Saudi to introduce new cold storage facilities in King Abdullah Port Investment of SR300 million to enhance logistics capabilities in Saudi Arabia    My kids saw my pain on set, says Angelina Jolie    Legendary Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain dies at 73    Eminem sets Riyadh ablaze with unforgettable debut at MDLBEAST Soundstorm    Order vs. Morality: Lessons from New York's 1977 Blackout    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



KAU makes ‘education for all' a reality for expats
By Sameera Aziz
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 26 - 04 - 2009

Academicians and education experts have lauded the initiative of the Jeddah Community College (JCC) to offer expatriate students an opportunity to study in the Kingdom. Starting October 2009, they will be able to study for Associate Degrees from King Abdul Aziz University (KAU).
“Many families are faced with a dilemma when they have to send their children away for higher studies. Now, not only will they be able to support and encourage their children, but they will also be able to significantly reduce their financial burden,” said David Allen, University Counselor of the British International School in Jeddah. “I look forward to seeing more and more such opportunities for students to pursue higher education in the Kingdom,” said Allen.
Students can obtain the three-year Associate Degree from KAU in only two years, provided they clear the Exemption Exam for English which reduces the three-year period by one year, exempting two semesters.
The cost per semester is SR7,500 and the net cost of four semesters is SR30,000. Students can apply for a fee reduction of up to SR15,000.
Syed Masood Ahmed, principal of the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ), described the fee structure as ‘affordable'.
“However, the expatriate community's response to the programs offered will depend on their acceptability in the job market and the scope for further studies back home and abroad,” he said.
Ahmed hopes that the college will introduce professional courses as well. “Besides its educational significance, this venture will strengthen social and cultural interaction between the communities,” he said. After graduation, students can opt for further studies in a foreign country, such as, UK, USA, India, Pakistan, etc. This way they can get two degrees in a four-year period and from two different universities.
Sadig Dahlan, the Saudi national Director General of Coral International School, said he was delighted for expatriate parents and children. “This has proved that we are open to change and that Saudis are ready to interact and accept diversity in our public higher education system,” he said.
Dahlan said the notion of expatriate children, who study in international schools in the Kingdom, leaving Saudi Arabia for their undergraduate studies is an “ongoing drama and a source of fear for their parents.”
KAU will select only 200 male students who have completed or will be completing their grade 12 exams or higher secondary exams or A Level exams. Selection will be strictly on merit basis as per the marks obtained by the student in these exams.
A merit list of the selected students will be released in the first week of July. The selected students can opt for any of the courses on offer, which include, Computer Networking, Insurance, Marketing, Sales, Accounting and Pharmacy.
J. Andrew Westerman, Middle and High School principal, American International School of Jeddah, consider it wonderful opportunity for expatriate students living in the Kingdom. “The ability to remain close to home and study in a program that develops their skills in higher education is outstanding. I see this evolving towards other prospects in this growing area of higher education development.” Online application forms can be obtained from the university website http://jcc.kau.edu.sa and can be completed by students when they have received their final high school results.
Professor Ibrahim I. Kutbi, Dean of JCC, said KAU's initiative provides an opportunity to students of all nationalities to get a quality education in Jeddah. “Our international tie-ups with universities in UK, USA, and other countries will enable students to obtain a second degree from reputed universities,” he said.
He said KAU's qualified and experienced international faculty will enable students to develop an insight into all subjects and prepare them for a better future. Fifty-two community colleges across the Kingdom will ensure higher education for the maximum number of students. The rapid growth of community colleges is essential in order to prepare the youth for the workplace.
Every community college is affiliated to a leading university in its city. Community colleges in the Kingdom serve a large number of undergraduate students here, providing open access to postsecondary education through their three-year programs, contributing to workforce development and training, and by offering programs in specialized skills, which are essentially required in the public and private sector. Some programs have English as a second language.
Dahlan said JCC students, under the leadership of its Dean, Dr. Ibrahim Kotbi, and the JCC staff, will benefit from the new multicultural international student body, “as diversity in the classroom has always proved to advance the educational environment for students.”
JCC is in the process of becoming a Microsoft IT Academy and a candidate for international accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education (COE), which assures high quality of operations and programs. It offers the students a broad array of diplomas and associate degree programs affiliated with KAU, providing world class education with an international faculty and the latest technology to train its students.
JCC students can complete their graduation through universities in the Kingdom or abroad in universities which have tie-ups with community colleges. This way the student can have an associate degree from KAU and a degree from another university as well. Exemptions will be given by the partner university based on the studies completed at KAU.
Ashfaq Mehmood, Principal of Pakistan International School (PISJ), Al-Aziziah, considers the move as a positive step for non-Saudi boys in Jeddah. “This is the need of the hour for families whose children have grown up here and are unable to go to Pakistan for further studies,” he said.
He said he was informed that girls would be admitted in the college in three years time. “However, similar programs for girls should begin as soon as possible so that expatriate girls can also benefit from this opportunity,” Mehmood said.
Dr. Ahmad Abdul-Wahab, Vice Dean of Technology and Development of JCC, described the move as “a positive step in order to encourage youth to develop their knowledge so that they become society's strong assets.”
“This step will go a long way in opening the doors of education for all communities in Jeddah and will be a cost-saving measure for many parents. It will bring students in contact with international teachers and hence, bring about the development of their minds in the right direction,” said Irfan Ahmed, marketing manager of KAU.
“Students can contact me by email on [email protected] or on mobile no. 0501372843,” he added.


Clic here to read the story from its source.