George Mason University's Ras Al Khaimah (GMU-RAK) campus recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Shaikh Saqr Programme for Government Excellence and was awarded more than Dh4.5 million in scholarship funds.
According to the terms of the MOU, UAE national students will benefit from the scholarship programme.
Up to 50 nominated students chosen by the programme and GMU-RAK will study a preparatory programme for one year and up to 30 successful students are to be admitted to the Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Leadership programme in the second year.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kaye Dunn, director of the GMU-RAK Language Centre, said: "We look forward to welcoming the new students to the GMU-RAK campus and delivering to them quality English language education during their first year to assist them in achieving their career aspirations."
GMU-RAK currently offers six undergraduate degree programmes in business administration, electronics and communications engineering, economics, applied computer science, biology and tourism and events management.
GMU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and the Ras Al Khaimah Campus is licensed under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE.
Dr Mohammad Khalifa, Manager of the Shaikh Saqr Programme for Government Excellence, said: "We are pleased to sign this MOU with GMU-RAK, providing our students the opportunity to study at a full branch American campus here in Ras Al Khaimah. Both institutions share similar values and we look forward to our students earning the highest quality standards in American higher education."
GMU-RAK's acting vice president Zaid Adib Ansari said the trust the Shaikh Saqr Programme for Government Excellence vested in GMU is an important indication that the Ras Al Khaimah campus continues to support the UAE's vision of a knowledge-based society.
About George Mason University - Ras Al Khaimah
GMU-RAK is a branch campus of George Mason University, Virginia, USA, and the first full-branch campus of an American university in the UAE. It is an initiative of the Ras Al Khaimah Education company (EDRAK).
n The university currently offers six undergraduate degree programmes in business administration, electronics and communications engineering, economics, applied computer science, biology and tourism and events management. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and the Ras Al Khaimah Campus is licensed under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE.
- For more information, visit: http://rak.gmu.edu and www.gmu.edu
About the programme
The Shaikh Saqr Programme for Government Excellence has been implemented as part of the development strategy of Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, to revitalise the public sector of the emirate by creating a competitive environment where the government sector can improve efficiency and contribute towards the development of society in a bigger way.
By Amelia Naidoo