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Student Exchange in GCC Universities – Colleges of Engineering, IT, Architecture and Planning

Explore opportunities for student exchange in GCC universities focusing on enhancing cultural experiences and educational growth through interactions with students from various countries. Learn about existing international exchange programs and propose a model for GCC universities to establish their own exchange program.

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Student Exchange in GCC Universities – Colleges of Engineering, IT, Architecture and Planning

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  1. Student Exchange in GCC Universities – Colleges of Engineering, IT, Architecture and Planning Reyadh Almehaideb Dean, College of Engineering UAE University

  2. Premise Student exchange provides a cultural experience from interacting with students from different countries, thus: • Enriching the educational experience for students & • Enlarging the borders of universities. Duration from 1 semester to 1 year. Current opportunities in GCC • Limited to summer school • And in some of the GCC Universities.

  3. International Examples - US • National Student Exchange (NSE) Program: (http://www.nse.org/) • A joint program established initially by state-supported universities in the US. • Later expanded to private universities and Canada. • 180 universities are involved • Exchanging 3,500 students annually.

  4. Terms for Exchange • For students with GPA > 2.5 • Allows students to pay their own university fees at other universities or gain in-state status when studying at other states. • Students do their own catalog search and obtain academic approval for transfer credits prior to registration. • Campus coordinator at participating universities and a national coordinator.

  5. International examples - Europe • Erasmus- The European Student Exchange program (http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/erasmus/students_en.html) • Part of the larger SOCRATES II, the higher education action to enhance the quality and expand the European dimension in higher education. • Socrates II, in turn, is part of the EUROPA Initiative on Education and Training and is available to the 25 EU Countries and 3 candidates plus 3 other European countries not in the EU. • ERASMUS covers student exchange, curriculum development, and special intensive pan-European programs

  6. Terms for student exchange • Around 2200 educational institutions in 31 countries participate in the program • Open for students studying full-time and completing 1st year of university. • Duration 3-12 months • To facilitate transfer of academic credits, EU nations have adopted a European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

  7. Terms for student exchange– cont’d • Benefits for students: • Tuition fees forgiveness. • Study grants average of Euro 550 for EU citizens intended to cover the extra costs involved in studying abroad • Around 135,000 students annually take advantage of this program, out of which around 19,000 are in Engineering, Technology, and Architecture and Planning • Total budget for all 3 activities is around Euros 180 million

  8. For the GCC Universities • GCC Universities can establish an exchange program to further GCC integration. • Within Engineering, IT, and Architecture and Planning, it would provide opportunities for students to witness some of the world-class industrial units and architectural landmarks taking place within GCC countries, while interacting culturally with other GCC students.

  9. Exchange Program for GCC Universities • The European model for tuition forgiveness and support for study abroad is used. • Requires agreement between Academics and Student Affairs at each university. • Academics would provide exchange seats for GCC students – suggested 10-20 per college per semester, total ~ 200-400 exchange students. • Student affairs would cover the extra costs for students as part of their student development activities. GCC Secretariat can encourage this exchange by providing support.

  10. GCC Student Exchange • Exchange program may be managed by colleges’ secretariat or GCC secretariat. • Students are responsible to check academic catalogues and obtain prior approval for credits. • Student are also obliged to abide by a covenant which spells out their obligations as part of being an exchange student, namely that they are part of the student body for the exchange university and are obliged to participate in the extra-curricular activities organized by academics and student affairs during the exchange.

  11. Conclusion • A simple model for short-term student exchange is proposed. • Scheme would only require limited university funds which are already available for support for student activities. • Advantages for students interested in this exchange include richer educational experiences and better development of their personal traits and soft skills through cultural interactions in addition to discipline specific experiences not available to students otherwise.

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