American University of Ras Al Khaimah Meets with Sungkyunkwan University

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, 09 February 2019: The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) President, Professor Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, met with representatives from Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea to discuss possibilities of an international partnership.

The Dean of the Business School of Sungkyunkwan University and President of Korean Academic Society of Business Administration, Professor Kim Yong June, and CEO of Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Mr. Myung-Whun Sung met with AURAK President, Professor Al Alkim, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Success and Provost, Professor Stephen Wilhite, Associate Provost for Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Denise Gifford, and the Dean of the School of Business, Professor Joseph Wallis to discuss options of a future international partnership such as 2+2 programs, faculty sabbaticals, and student exchange programs.

Dr. Denise was delighted with the advantages the partnership would offer the AURAK community, stating that students possess apprehensions concerning international studies. She believes a visiting faculty member is a great starting point for students to begin establishing a familiarity with a country, instilling in them confidence to partake in the longer exchange programs offered by the University.

Exposure to a wide variety of diverse cultures is essential for laying the foundation of a global humanitarian. International partnerships with esteemed scholastic institutions such as Sungkyunkwan University are a safe way of scaffolding this process, Professor Hassan commented. The UAE has become very keen of opening its doors to South Korea in recent years, and it is time the University has as well.

AURAK already has significant ties with South Korea; in February 2016, Konkuk University, whose main campus is based in Seoul, became the universitys first Korean partner. In January 2017, AURAK received a group of 16 students from Keimyung University, who visited Ras Al Khaimah for a cultural exchange trip. In September 2017, AURAK signed MoU with Incheon National University and visited Seoul National University, to discuss further cooperation.

At present AURAK has a range of international partners across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America, opening a wide spectrum of possibilities to students including exchange and study abroad programs for up to one year, as well as shorter summer sessions.

AURAK is a nonprofit, government-owned institution of higher education which provides the local, regional and international communities with a North American-style education integrated with Arabic customs and traditions. AURAK is licensed by the Ministry of Education in the United Arab Emirates and has been accredited in the United States of America by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) since December 2018. AURAK offers a total of 22 accredited undergraduate and graduate programs across a wide range of disciplines.