ABU DHABI // A total of 3,500 students started courses at Abu Dhabi University's campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain when the first term of the academic year began this week. More than 50 staff members joined the faculty at the start of term, bringing the total to 210. The university has announced plans to set up a College of Medicine and Health Sciences this year in partnership with a German university.
"ADU intends to establish itself as a national institute that embraces the highest standards of teaching and scientific research, while serving the needs of UAE society," a university statement said. The university was set up in 2000 under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, who is president of the board of trustees. In 2006, it inaugurated a Dh500 million (US$136m) campus in Khalifa City.
The university offers undergraduate courses in 18 subjects, including business administration, computer science, finance and engineering. It is licensed with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and all its programmes are accredited by the ministry's commission for academic accreditation. Students come from 45 countries, with Emiratis making up 46 per cent of the total. dbardsley@thenational.ae
