FAQ
- Where is the United Arab Emirates (UAE)?
The UAE is in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, situated betweenOman and Saudi Arabia.; The UAE is in a strategic location along the southern approaches to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transport link for world crude oil supplies.
- What are some facts about the UAE?
The total area of the UAE is slightly less than the size of Maine. It is flat and has a barren coastline merging into rolling sand dunes and vast desert wastelands with mountains in the east. The estimated population of the UAE is 4.5 million with UAE Nationals making up 20% of this total.
The UAE is a federation of 7 Emirates. Sheikh Kalifa bin Zaed Al Nahyam is the President. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai. The capital of the UAE is Abu Dhabi. 96% of the population is Muslim (16% being Shi'a) with Arabic being the official language. About 30% of the UAE's GDP is based on oil and gas output. Economic diversification particularly tourism is a major focus of the UAE. Since February 2006 the UAE Dirham has been officially pegged to the US Dollar at 3.673.
- Where is Ras Al Khaimah (RAK)? What are a few facts about the Emirate?
Ras Al Khaimah meaning "the head of the tent" refers in some way to the Northern most tip of the UAE that it occupies.RAK is the 4th largest Emirate comprising about 1700sq kms which is about 2% of the total area of the UAE. The population is about 250 000 with UAE Nationals making up approximately 50%. Industry comprises about 8% of RAK's GPD with the world's largest ceramics factory being a major player.
The Ruler of RAK is Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, and the Deputy Ruler and Crown Prince is Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. Ras Al Khaimah is about a 1 hour drive from Dubai and about a two and a half hour drive from Abu Dhabi. Over the past four years, Ras Al Khaimah has taken off in growth and is destined to become a major tourism destination along with other major players in the region.
- Why did George Mason University decide to set up a branch campus overseas and why in the UAE?
When George Mason decided to expand internationally, it looked worldwide and decided that the Arab region was an area where education was needed and that the UAE, as a country, desired to be the regional hub for education. Through discussions and visits, opportunities unfolded in RAK for establishing a branch campus of George Mason University.
- What is the arrangement between George Mason University and the Ras Al Khaimah Government?
A "Memorandum of Agreement" exists between George Mason University and the RAK Government. The Government of RAK provides the infrastructure and finances for the campus. George Mason University provides and oversees the academic programs.
- Where is George Mason University, Ras Al Khaimah Campus (GMU-RAK)?
The GMU-RAK Campus of George Mason University is located in RAK City of Ras Al Khaimah. The facilities are temporary but upgraded to match higher education requirements while providing a good educational environment for students. The temporary facilities include an Academic Building with purpose built laboratories, technology based classrooms, three computer labs, a help desk, an Academic Writing Center, the English Language Program and a bookstore.
The Administration Building, along with housing the administration, houses the library and the cafeteria. The campus has sports and gym facilities. A new student center has just been completed along with a new Faculty Office Building.There are residence halls for females and males nearby. The campus can accommodate up to 500 students.
- Why is the campus called George Mason University, Ras Al Kahimah Campus rather than Mason RAK?
After considerable review and discussion, it was agreed that while "Mason" made sense in Virginia, it was not viewed as a known quantity in this region, nor did it give a view that it was a "university". It was important to project the name of George Mason University in the name of the Campus and thus, the name of George Mason University, Ras Al Khaimah Campus was selected.
- What are the plans for the new campus?
George Mason University, Ras Al Kahimah campus will have a purpose built campus built by the RAK government about 20 km from RAK city and 60 km north of Dubai on the Emirates Highway in the desert. The master plan has been developed, and the infrastructure is about to be initiated. The new campus will boast approximately 550 student beds in modern residence halls, a state of the art library, a student center, a sports complex, an administrative building, an academic building (with space for up to 6 additional academic buildings as enrollment demands), and housing for faculty and staff. In addition, there will be an adjacent research park. The campus is expected to be ready for occupancy in July 2009.
- Is the campus accredited?
George Mason University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). In March 2007 the Substantive Change Committee of SACS made a visit to the GMU-RAK Campus. The visit was viewed positively. George Mason University has responded to the recommendations, and SACS will give final action on the campus at its annual meeting in December.
The GMU-RAK campus is located in a "Free Trade Zone" which allows it to operate without a license in the UAE. The campus is in the process of applying for a license with the Commission of Academic Accreditation in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Once the license is granted, all academic programs will be required to gain accreditation.
- What programs are offered?
All academic programs offered at the GMU-RAK campus are the same as those offered at the George Mason University Campus. Currently six academic programs are offered: B.S. in biology with a concentration in biotechnology, B.S. in electronics and communications engineering with a concentration in information technology, B.S. in business administration with concentrations both in finance and international business, B.S. in economics, B.S. in health, fitness and recreation resources with a concentration in tourism and events management and a B.S. in geography with a concentration in geographical information systems.
Other program offerings will be added as needed to meet market demand. A Study Abroad Program for U.S. students will be initiated in January 2008 providing U.S. students with the opportunity to spend a semester or a year at the campus to study and experience Arab culture. In addition to classes in the Arabic language and in Arab politics, history, geography, art and culture, students will have an opportunity to take short trips within the UAE and throughout the region. The campus offers an English Language Program (ELP) to assist students who need to upgrade their English skills before entering academic programs.
- What is the staffing situation?
The campus is administered by a vice president and has the traditional administrative units: Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Recruitment and Admissions, Marketing, Finance and Administration, Human Resources and a library along with other student and administrative support services. At this time, there are 20 full-time faculty. Part-time faculty are hired as necessary. All full-time faculty have a doctorate if teaching in the academic programs and Masters Degrees if teaching in the English Language Program. Many faculty acquired their degrees in the U.S. and have U.S. teaching experience. The diversity of faculty and staff reflects the following nationalities: American (10), Australian (1), German (1), Bulgarian (1), Indian (15), Philipino (2), Egyptian (2), South African (1), Algerian (1), Pakistani (4), Jordanian (1), Palestinian (1), Canadian (2), Irish (1), Iraqi (1), South Korean (1), British (1), and New Zealand (1).
- What are the admissions requirements?
The admissions requirements are the same as the requirements for George Mason University.; Students are admitted to George Mason University and graduate with degrees from George Mason University.
- How many students are there and where do they come from?
At the beginning of September 2007 the following enrollment statistics reflected student numbers at GMU-RAK:
B.S. biology (3), B.S. electronics and communications engineering (27), B.S. business administration (27) and English Learning Program (34). 70% of the students enrolled in academic programs are male with 30% being female. Male and female numbers are equal for the English Learning Program. The following countries are represented in the GMU-RAK student body: India, UAE, Palestine, USA, Egypt, Australia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Yemen and Korea.
- How can I help?
The campus is always looking for ways to involve the Mason community in this new project. For example: assist with recruitment; help bring increased awareness of the campus to the greater region; engage in the Study Abroad Program at the campus; teach for a semester or longer at the campus; initiate American business development; sponsor scholarships, or give directly for special program development. If you are interested in learning more about the Campus or in helping the Campus in any way, please contact our acting vice president, Zaid Ansari.
