United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) in Al Ain United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) organised the new students\' orientation for 4,932 freshmen, the biggest cohort since its establishment in 1976. Dr Ali Rashid Al Noaimi, vice chancellor of UAEU, welcomed the students and conveyed the regards and greetings of Sheikh Hamdan Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister of higher education and scientific research, UAEU Chancellor, who wished them success during their university journey.
Dr Al Noaimi highlighted that university is very different from school. \"Having been admitted here, you will experience a life of responsibility and independence.” He encouraged them to focus on important issues like choosing the right major, and gaining as much as possible from university life as it paves the way to their future.
Dr Al Noaimi added, \"UAEU is a pioneer University, recognised internationally for its success and achievements which has partly been as a result of the University by-laws and policies that are in place. Therefore, it\'s your role as a student to adhere to these by-laws and policies because in the end you will be the winner - gaining an international accredited certificate from a well-known university.”
The Vice Chancellor also declared during his welcoming speech that UAEU hosts a group of elite international faculty members who have been chosen as a result of their expertise and qualifications to ensure the students achieve a world-class education. He said, \"Today you are walking in two directions: one towards your future while the other is towards the future of the UAE.”
To further support the students and to ensure they have the best opportunity to succeed, UAEU established a university college which comprises the university foundation programme, The Centre for Student Academic Success and Advising, the General Education Programme, and the Centre for Career Planning and Placement.
The University Foundation Programme helps students transition from high school to university by building their Arabic and English communication, math and learning skills to levels required by UAEU Colleges. Foundation instructors effectively employ mobile tablet technologies to enhance learning within the classroom.
In the Centre for Student Academic Success and Advising, students can find tutorial assistance with all their foundation subjects and, more generally, with independent learning skills, as well as writing and speaking in both English and Arabic. The General Education Program (GEP) is an essential component of the overall educational experience of baccalaureate students at UAEU.
Through the Centre for Career Planning and Placement (CCPP), the University College provides students with many opportunities for career preparation and employment. The centre involves UAEU students in career preparation from the time they enter the University and assists them in making informed career choices to achieve career and life goals by providing individual and group career counselling sessions.
In addition, the centre organises different career readiness workshops for students including CV writing, interview skills, job search techniques and other employability skills, to prepare them for the world of work.
Furthermore, the CCPP connects colleges, organisations and students to create a powerful work-based internship for the learner and to provide job opportunities for UAEU graduates.
Source: The Gulf Today