A new information technology (IT) college is due to open in the 2002 academic year for 1,300 students of the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in Al-Ain. Once fully set up, enrolment capacity is expected to rise to a total of 3,000 ― of which 1,200 are male students and 1,800 are female students.
The total cost of the college is estimated at Dh250 million. It will be "ultra modern, capable of keeping pace with the rapidly changing educational environment of information technology," stated a university official.
The college will be situated within the University town campus, which is designed to house university facilities currently located in various parts of the city. According to the preliminary plan, the IT College will stretch over 20,000 square meters, and will include a cafeteria, student and faculty lounges, laboratories, classrooms, an auditorium and conference halls.
The curriculum, designed by a team of experts from the U.S. George Mason University, will offer nine different degree programs, including software engineering, information systems, telecommunications, educational technology, e-commerce and information security.
Beginning next month, with the opening of the 2001 academic year, the college will offer some 300 students the opportunity to enroll into three basic programs: Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Management Information Systems, with courses initially held at the university's existing facilities.
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
