Arab Open University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by KKA, Apr 24, 2002.

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  1. KKA

    KKA Member

    A new DL university is being developed to serve students in the Arab world:

    UNIVERSITY MISSION
    The Arab Open University seeks, through distance learning by using modern information and communication technologies, to make higher education and continuing education accessible to every willing and capable Arab citizen, whether residing in urban, rural, or remote areas, particularly Arab women, while holding costs to society within reasonable bounds, with the aim of contributing to the training of highly qualified Arab manpower in fields which are essential for national and regional development, conducting research, studies and consultations in these fields and generally contributing to enhancing the Arab citizen's cultural, Social and scientific knowledge.

    ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES
    A field study was made in eleven Arab countries. Approximately five thousand students and five hundred employers were polled concerning several elements related to the establishment of the Arab Open University including the required specialization. As a result of this study, the Arab Open University will start with the following specializations:
    * Business administration with all of its branches.
    * Computer science and information technology.
    * English language.
    * Teachers training.
    The academic programmes will be diversified in such a way as to lead to the Bachelor degrees in addition to qualification, training and continuing education programmes.
    The University will subsequently provide other scientific, technical and professional programmes and specializations according to the new requirements of the job market in the Arab countries.

    Quoted from: http://www.agfund.org/eaou.html

    This will be in conjuction with the UK Open University:

    Open University signs agreement to establish Arab OU

    The Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organisation (AGFUND) is working with the Open University to set up an Arab OU which aims to enrol 40,000 students over the next five years from Kuwait and a number of Arab states.

    The aims of the university are to increase the provision of higher education in the region, to provide opportunities for in-service training for teachers, to help improve the supply of qualified manpower and to increase educational opportunities for women.

    The OU will provide consultation on the initial university start up, course licensing and Open University Validation Services (OUVS).

    A ceremony to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Arab OU was held on 9 January in Kuwait, where the university will be based. OU Vice-Chancellor Sir John Daniel, Kuwait's Minster of Education and Higher Education Dr Yousef Al-Ibrahim, AGFUND President HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz, and Arab OU Rector Professor Mohammed Hamdan will attend the ceremony.

    Students will enrol in 2002 and initially the Arab OU will offer courses delivered in the English language. These are a BA in Business Studies; a BA in English Language and Literature; and the BSc in IT and Computing. OU courses will be adapted to meet local needs.

    Open University Validation Services will provide institutional accreditation of the Arab OU and validate the undergraduate programme. At present the OU is the sole licensing organisation to the Arab OU.

    Sir John Daniel said:

    "The development of the Arab world to fulfil its true potential is one of the great projects of the 21st century. I am sure that the Arab Open University will be an important contribution to this process and the UK Open University is proud to be helping in its creation."

    Using the technique of 'supported open learning', which the OU pioneered, students of the Arab OU will have personal support from tutors, combined with high quality, multi-media self-study materials and computer conferencing as in the OU (UK).

    The project is funded by AGFUND, the regional development institution, established in 1981 by HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz. The leaders of the Arab Gulf States, who constitute its membership and contribute to its budget, support it. AGFUND's mission is to support sustainable human development efforts in developing countries, particularly focusing on health, education, training and institutional structure.

    Quoted from: http://www.open.ac.uk/collaborate/news.htm

    This is a very interesting development in the Arab world and for the UK OU.
     
  2. But it's an old story, right? A year or more old. Sir John Daniel is no longer VC of Open U.
     
  3. KKA

    KKA Member

    First, perhaps it is a bit old, but it has not been brought to the attention of this list nor discussed until now. Secondly, it is a worthy story and issue in the world of DL non the less to let others know about it. And, thirdly, it is supposed to become operational by the end of this year:

    "SAUDI ARABIA's Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz signed an agreement in Paris with UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura to launch an Arab Open University by October 2002. The university, to be based in Kuwait, was created in order to address the shortage of universities in the Arab region and increase women's access to higher education. The university will initially focus on vocational training and studies in business administration, computer science and technology and English. Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon are also expected to host branches of the university." (Quoted from: http://legalminds.lp.findlaw.com/list/dispute-res/msg06045.html )

    KKA
     
  4. Yes, Ok. Sorry. I had thought that this was a pipe dream that had died. But it's mentioned in the recent story posted here about DL in Jordan. So perhaps the dream is still alive, though I suspect that it will be some years before it truly becomes a reality.
     
  5. Clair

    Clair New Member

    KKA, Thanks for bringing this information about Arab Open University to the forum. It is quite news worthy, be it new or old. Indeed it is an interesting and benificial development in the Arab world.
     
  6. KKA

    KKA Member

    AOU

    Indeed!

    Things are on track for AOU. That is a good thing. I look forward to hearing more about its progress.
     

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