Our next stop was the American University of Sharja, a private university pretty much made possible by his highness the Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad al Qassani. Evidently, he gave the American University permission to be created, but it was to be on the American co-ed model. Unfortunately, that upset some influential conservative people, so the Sheikh just build another University, Sharja University, out in “Knowledge City, the main drag for Universities. Sharja University is gender segregated to try to accommodate everyone’s taste.
The place was built in 11 months and is totally palatial.
We had a long Q and A chat with the chancellor and the vice president for enrollment management. It turns out that the private university gives out scholarships to about 65% of the student population. However, it is moving forwards with community service populations, a program for underprepared students, and increased alumni relationships.
Inside this university, it is much like other American universities, but the chairs are cuter. Here is a one of the finest I have found (photo to come of heart shaped chair when I get to a faster internet connection).
The library was in another palatial building and had a prominent sign up that sad “there is no external internet today. “ We wondered if that was a permanent exhibit. Hey, check out the libaray rug:
The place was built in 11 months and is totally palatial.
We had a long Q and A chat with the chancellor and the vice president for enrollment management. It turns out that the private university gives out scholarships to about 65% of the student population. However, it is moving forwards with community service populations, a program for underprepared students, and increased alumni relationships.
Inside this university, it is much like other American universities, but the chairs are cuter. Here is a one of the finest I have found (photo to come of heart shaped chair when I get to a faster internet connection).
The library was in another palatial building and had a prominent sign up that sad “there is no external internet today. “ We wondered if that was a permanent exhibit. Hey, check out the libaray rug:
Cool, huh?
They have two literature degrees here, on e in English and the other in Arabic. The collection of English popular literature included Ken Follet, Bill Bryson, Maeve Binchey, Stephen King, and Orson Scott Card. The librarian reported that the girls really liked the romance novels and even the boys read them on the sly. Interesting!
3 comments:
I am fascinated. More, more!
Perhaps they follow the S. Krashen theory of reading (especially romance novels) to increase reading proficiency. That would also explain the free English books in the bookstore.
BTW, how are classes taught? Will you be able to see a class in action?
How are classes taught? Evidently the rows of desk, memorization, lecture is the traditional way. There are education consultants that are trying for "learner centered active learning approaches" but they have some hard going. Sound familiar? We have not been able to visit actual classes yet, but I think we get to see one in Abu Dhabi.
Post a Comment