American University in Dubai: Offering Structured Global Framework of Quality Education

“We serve as a culturally diverse learning community committed to the pursuit of knowledge through excellence in teaching and scholarly and creative endeavor, leading to students’ academic, personal and professional success, as well as the advancement of society”.

Located in the Emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, American University is an ideal place for academic programs, services, facilities, and technologies that offer diverse opportunities for learning.

Students’ diversity is maintained through diverse outreaches in the respective countries while pursuing a variety of study abroad and exchange partnerships. The international faculty offers students broad exposure to different cultures, teaching methods, and research opportunities. Supporting this, the faculty comes from prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Columbia University, and the University of Oxford, which attract international students.

The university promote education through exchange programs, study abroad seminars, STEP conference (2018), merit-based scholarships, guest speakers (usually thought leaders in their domain), and projects with industry leaders, and faculty supporting students in regional competitions.

The Inception Story

Following the Gulf War in 1991, a team led by Elias Bou Saab from the American College visited the Gulf to establish relationships with various ministries of higher education as well as the region’s schools.

The lack of quality private education at the university level, coupled with an appreciation of the American model of higher education, led them to conduct a feasibility study on the prospects of establishing an American university in the Gulf. The results confirmed the high level of interest and desire for a campus offering an American-accredited educational curriculum.

It also became quickly apparent that the Emirate of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, would be an ideal place to locate such an institution. Dubai was found to be a politically stable, cosmopolitan and outward-looking principality whose nearly non-existent private sector in higher education was just beginning to draw some attention.

The guiding principle underlying the university’s establishment was bringing the American educational system to the region without interfering with or challenging the culture or values of the local community.

The institution achieved this goal and sees it as a key to its success. Elias Bou Saab moved to Dubai in 1995 in order to officially establish the American University in Dubai, which in turn would not have been possible without the commitment and support from the outset of H.H.

The Values of American University

The university guide students to use their knowledge and skills for personal and professional fulfillment. The institute develops critical thinking, effective communication and lifelong learning skills. It also foster an appreciation of the history and on-going development of human culture; develop critical thinking, effective communication and lifelong learning skills; promote the value of ethical behavior, responsibility, and commitment provide academic programs, services, facilities, and technologies that offer diverse opportunities for learning; to recruit and retain a diverse faculty of qualified educators, providing them with the environment and opportunity to flourish as teachers and contributors to knowledge in and practice of their disciplines; to foster intercultural understanding as a basis for preparing students as members of a global community; and to contribute to the economic and societal development of Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and beyond.

About the President

Dr. Lance de Masi is the President of The American University in Dubai. His career bridges experience as an academician and practicing communications professional.

Prior joining the University in February of 1997 as its Dean and Assistant Professor of Business Administration and Humanities (he had taught part-time at the University since its opening in 1995), Dr. Masi has held various high-level management positions in the US, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, the UK; and most recently, Dubai with the IMPACT/BBDO advertising agency where he served for six years as Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer.

His tenure as a President of the university has witnessed AUD’s transformation from a small, up-start operation to an institution of higher learning of substantial size and credible academic reputation. He holds Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Master of Business Administration (Marketing) degrees, and the latter two from Indiana University where in the mid-seventies he was an Associate Instructor.

In 1997, he was granted a Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Schiller International University. His articles and speeches on marketing and advertising-related disciplines are noteworthy for their candor, insight and passion for subject areas to which he has dedicated numerous years of ponderous consideration. With the objective of remaining close to students and up-to-date in his academic discipline, Dr. Masi offers a senior course in Marketing Communications each year. He has even served as the President of the UAE Chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA) for seven years, from 2007 to 2014.

While American by birth, Dr. Masi is fluent in several languages. This is explained by his European ancestry, undergraduate and graduate work in European Language and Literature and extended periods of residence in Europe.

A Rainbow of Offerings

The university offers various programs:

Undergraduate Programs:

Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (B.A.I.S.), Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (B.A), Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Bachelor of Communication and Information Studies (B.C.I.S), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Interior Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts, (B.F.A.) in Visual Communication, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.), Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (B.S.Comp.E.), Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.), Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)

Graduate Programs:

M.A. in Leadership and Innovation in Contemporary Media, Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of Education (M.Ed.), Master of Science in Construction Management (M.S.C.M.)

Certification Programs:

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), Certificate in Middle Eastern Studies, Professional Teaching Certificate, IAA Certificate in Marketing Communications, Intensive English Language Program.

Life at the Campus

To truly get the most of their AUD experience, students must get involved in the college activities. Whether it’s through joining a club, or starting one of their own or perhaps creating a special one-of-a-kind event. The university also include student activities that include over 50 active student clubs ranging from cultural clubs, performance clubs, special interest clubs, departmental clubs; in addition to active intramurals held each term and numerous annual events including a WOW Orientation (Week of Welcome), AUD Desert Safari, Ramadan Tent, Winter Ball, Thanksgiving Day and UAE National Day, International Night, AUD Gala Dinner and Award Ceremony among others.

Words of Trust

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