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[Opti]

University of Bolton to open in Ras al Khaimah
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, August 13 - 2008 at 10:48
Press Release posted on AME Info: http://www.ameinfo.com/166049.html

In order to support the rapidly developing economy in Ras al Khaimah, the University of Bolton will establish the first UK branch campus in the Ras al Khaimah Free Zone.

Both the University and its partner, Western International College, have identified RAK as an ideal location for the new Bolton campus. The lower costs of operations within Ras al Khaimah will be passed directly to the students in the form of highly competitive fee levels.

A wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes will be available in engineering, business, computing and art and design from September 2008. Postgraduate programmes will be designed so that students can continue in work while they study.

All the programmes delivered at the branch campus in RAK will be directly equivalent to those offered in Bolton; they will be assessed by the same examination boards and moderated by the same external examiners. It is expected that UK and international students will choose to move freely between both campuses. All degrees and transcripts will be issued directly by the University of Bolton, UK and these will be identical to those offered to students at the parent campus.

The university positions itself as student centred and in providing career relevant programmes. It is currently already delivering programmes in 9 countries, predominantly in the Far East, Asia and Africa. The University has received the highest recommendations on all its recent UK teaching quality audits.

In a recent global bench marking survey of 84 universities, Bolton's international students had the highest level of satisfaction with their learning experience.

Dr George Holmes, Vice Chancellor, says 'The student experience is more than just about attending lectures. We deliver a blend of academic knowledge with practical applied skills employers need. Students gain professional insight and skills that enable them to advance at work and in their chosen careers.'

Zubair Hanslot, Principal Lecturer in Computing and Engineering Mathematics and Interim Project Manager for the Ras al Khaimah campus said, 'The University of Bolton is exactly the type of University needed in Ras al Khaimah. The University's philosophy is wholly focussed on teaching, learning and support to ensure student success in achieving a degree and transforming students work and career prospects.'

'We aim to provide modern teaching facilities, state of the art laboratories and equipment and the broadest range of flexible degree options available from a UK university in the Emirates. We're also keen to develop relationships with local employers to meet their employees professional and high level skill needs. We are confident of attracting students from all over the region as we will be providing transport to all regions of Dubai ,Sharjah, Ajman, UAQ and Fujairah, enabling students to stay with their families while studying. Dubai is only a 45-50 minute drive away .We will also be providing student visa options as well as accommodation for students wanting these facilities.'

H.E Sheikh Faisal Bin Saqr Al Qassimi, Chairman of RAK Free Trade Zone said 'I am delighted to welcome the University of Bolton from the UK to RAK. We have ambitious economic development plans for RAK. Higher level skills are essential and the demand for graduates from employers is set to grow rapidly. I am convinced they will make a big contribution to the prosperity of the region and the economy of RAK.'

Paul Sellers, Director of the British Council in the UAE, stated: 'We are extremely pleased that the University of Bolton has reached agreement with the RAK authorities to establish a campus. The quality of UK higher education is second to none and this development will be of enormous benefit to students and the academic community in RAK.'

[Opti]

University of Bolton, RAK offers UAE scholarship program

United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, August 13 - 2008 at 11:00
Press Release from AME Info: http://www.ameinfo.com/166061.html

The University of Bolton, RAK has announced that it will award up to 60 merit-based partial scholarships to students enrolling on programmes at the graduate and post-graduate levels across 14 disciplines at the university's purpose-built campus in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.

Skyrocketing academic costs are among the challenges that make it increasingly difficult for several UAE based students to pursue higher education, particularly students from middle and lower middle class back grounds or those from economically disadvantaged families.

The scholarship program is structured in a manner that it will provide several talented young men & women the opportunity to pursue their dream of getting a quality British education right here in the United Arab Emirates. Through the University of Bolton, RAK, UAE Scholarship Program, students can pursue their academic and career goals without financial barriers that make it difficult for so many young people to attend and succeed in college. A renewable award, the aforementioned scholarship program can continue to fund a student's unmet need through the future years based on their cost of attendance which includes only the tuition fees.

'Continued assistance again is dependent on the candidate's ability to demonstrate scholastic ability in terms of academic performance through the first year of their academic programme,' confirms Raj Nambiar, Director of International Admissions at the RAK campus.

Under the auspices of the University of Bolton, RAK, UAE Scholarship Program students who apply and subsequently qualify can pursue any field of undergraduate or post graduate study at the Ras Al Khaimah campus. Some of the fields of study that would be available starting September 2008 will include: Civil Engineering, Architectural Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & Computer Engineering, Graphic & Interior Design, Supply Chain Management & Logistics, International Tourism Management, Business Administration (with specializations in Marketing, Finance, HR, MIS etc), and Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management.

Scholarships will be made available to meritorious students across examination boards (for e.g - Indian, Pakistani, Nigerian, British A & O Levels etc) and universities/ education systems. The scholarship program is designed to achieve far more than funding just an education.

Raj Nambiar, Director of International Admissions reiterates 'We feel that the scholarships will only pave the way for a quality education leading onto professionally relevant degrees and in turn to ensuring brighter futures.'

[globalnomad2]

What will happen is some hapless instructor, fed up with indolent students, fails four out of the five losers in a class of five, then students go complain, then instructor is on next plane back to wherever.

[kiefer]

[veiledsentiments]

Should we start a pool as to when the post will show up? At the end of the first semester or before?

Good thing we are not cynical...

VS

[Gulezar]

I like this like this line:

"In a recent global bench marking survey of 84 universities, Bolton's international students had the highest level of satisfaction with their learning experience."

We all know what that means:

"Teacher help me do good on exam.
Teacher give me exam questions.
Teacher, good teacher."

[kiefer]

VS,

in this pool, do we narrow it down to month, week, date or time of day?

The "warning--stay away" season on this forum generally kicks off in late November and runs through mid-January followed by a lull until May, running through mid-JUne.

We can also add to the mix a lexus of adjectives:
dictatorial, egomaniac, unqualified, brown nosing, mad (in the British sense of the word) and duplicitous.

What else?

[Dedicated]

People not familiar with the UK university system may like to know about the University of Bolton.

Until 2005, it was Bolton Institute, and after 8 years of trying, was finally granted university status. Currently, in the Times Good University guide, Bolton is rated as 121 in the league tables (virtually bottom).

40% of the undergraduate students are accepted through the clearing system (i.e. they cannot get in to any other university), and almost a third of students are projected to leave without a qualification. This is by far the highest proportion in England.

Teaching excellence was rated as only 43.8%, and as for research, a mere 11%.

Why they are expanding to RAK, when they have such a poor reputation in the UK is very worrying.

See the link : <www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2166305.ece>

[oncebitten]

Bolton going to RAK, UAE? WHERE? Old Nat Lofthouse, the most renowned Bolton Wanderer, must be wondering just what the world is coming to.

If Bolton University (!!!) is really going to employ staff and operate in the RAK Free Zone, who will the contracts be with? The RAK Human Development Foundation?

If so, don't touch them with a barge-pole, to use an old Lancashire expression.

[globalnomad2]

I wonder whether they'll get to occupy that empty castle on a hill, or the prefab buildings in the blighted car-repair zone that will be vacated when George Mason throws in the towel.

[oncebitten]

"...the University, and its partner, Western International College..."

I've never heard of the partner, so I did a Google, then got up their faculty list. Try it yourselves. My guess is there are not many native speakers of English on that list.

So what is the role of Bolton University going to be?

Keep watching that vacant space between the used car lots!