Abu Dhabi University offers IAT graduates speedy undergraduate option

Press release

Published June 20th, 2011 - 10:18 GMT

Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Managing Director of IAT and Terry Motiuk, Vice Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University during the signing

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) and the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), giving IAT graduates the advantage of receiving college credit for courses they have taken in high school.

Under the MoU, there are specific IAT courses that have been identified and considered as equivalent to ADU courses. IAT students who earned various courses in English, Computer & IT, Math, Engineering Math, Science, Advanced Physics, AutoCad and Visual Programming will be exempt from taking some of the foundational and major courses in ADU.

Dr. Terry Motiuk, Vice Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, explained that Emirati IAT graduates undertaking undergraduate courses at ADU can now receive credits for some of the courses they took in high school. “Some of the key courses covered under this arrangement are in the field of Science and Technology,” he said, “and IAT graduates w are eligible to earn credits to help further advance their studies at ADU.

“Such an arrangement, we believe, will encourage students to seek continued education for their own personal and professional development,” he added.

Eligibility of students for the college credits for courses taken in high school is conditional, based on the successful completion of their choice of an IAT-ATHS career cluster and fulfillment of all ADU admission requirements. This includes submission of application and supporting documents, and a minimum IELTS score of 5 on all skills criteria.

Dr. Motiuk adds, “ADU partners with a number of leading schools and organizations locally and internationally with the objective of improving the quality of education. With its extensive resources it is recognized as a premier center for education within the UAE – an important assurance to students seeking access to research and career opportunities.”

Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Managing Director of IAT commended the new alliance which stands to benefit entrants to ADU who have successfully graduated from IAT and seek opportunities in the various fields of Applied Technology. Students will gain access to extensive resources and unparalleled research opportunities.

Dr. Abdullatif Al Shamsi, Managing Director of the Institute of Applied Technology indicated that the agreement is distinguished since the course equivalency includes nearly eight subjects at the university level (which amounts to 24 credit hours typically studied during a semester and a half) for graduates of the Applied Technology High Schools. “This clearly indicates the outstanding efforts invested by the Institute to improve its graduates’ academic level through the adoption and development of scientific curricula benchmarked with the highest International Standards which qualifies them for advanced performance in international tests in various scientific fields, particularly in the areas of math, science, English and information technology.

Background Information

Abu Dhabi University

The dream began with the Charter of Abu Dhabi University in the year 2000, After three years of planning, the university opened its doors in September 2003, to an entering class of 1,000 students on its two campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Unlike other colleges and universities in the UAE, ADU undertook the measures necessary to ensure that all of the degree programs it would offer had secured accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in advance of any students enrolling in them.

ADU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees based upon the American model of higher education.

Company Profile

Institute of Applied Technology

With state-of the-art facilities and excellent support services, the Institute of Applied Technology offers Career-based Technical Education (CTE) in English at the secondary and tertiary levels. In Addition, IAT encompasses well established higher learning programs in aviation, logistics and nursing. The institute has an overall of twenty campuses (fourteen schools, four colleges for Fatma College of Health Sciences and two colleges for Abu Dhabi Polytechnic), located in the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Western Region, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras Al Khaima and Al Fujairah; with its directorate based in Abu Dhabi.

The Institute was founded in 2005 through Royal decree of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Abu Dhabi as a corporate body with full financial and administrative independence.