Students’ delight as Fujairah College becomes a university

The college has become Fujairah University after three years of preparation and about three months of paperwork and it will now offer MBA and master’s degree courses.

FUJAIRAH // Students are elated at having greater educational opportunities since Fujairah College became a university.

The college became Fujairah University after three years of preparation and three months of paperwork. The university now offers master’s degree courses in areas such as business administration.

“That was the best news that I received this year,” said Ahlam Qader, a 21-year-old Emirati business student at the new university.

“I feel proud to have a university in the emirate of Fujairah, and I don’t have to move to another emirate to continue my studies because they will start offering MBA courses soon.”

Ahmad Al Samahi, an 18-year-old Emirati high school pupil, said he was very happy when his friends told him about Fujairah University.

“I didn’t want to move to another emirate to continue my studies after finishing high school,” he said. “Now I can study here and get a degree from Fujairah University.”

Some students, however, were concerned that the new tertiary institute would raise tuition fees.

“We don’t know yet if this announcement would increase the fees and we hope not, but I’m glad that it has become a university,” said Dana Al Herbawi, a 20-year-old Jordanian who studies public relations.

“It is better to hold a certificate under the name of Fujairah University, as opposed to Fujairah College. It will definitely help with [getting a job].”

Mohammed Gharselden, president of Fujairah University, said upgrading the former college was in line with the UAE’s ­national innovation and leadership strategies.

“The college was first opened in 2006. On the directive of Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, the Ruler of Fujairah, we worked on [changing] it into a university,” he said.

“We want to concentrate more on graduating entrepreneurs by providing many courses like MBAs and higher education courses.

“We also aim to provide educational opportunities for all students in Fujairah, so we are planning to add scientific faculties, such as engineering and dentistry, so that they don’t have to move to another emirate to seek such majors.”

Fujairah University now offers 15 major courses and will add 10 more next year. It currently provides academic programmes in business administration, information technology, mass communication and public relations, and Arabic literature.

Mr Gharselden said there would be no changes to tuition fees for the university’s courses.