Academicians and education experts have lauded the initiative of the Jeddah Community College (JCC) to offer expatriate students an opportunity to study in the Kingdom. Starting October 2009, they will be able to study for Associate Degrees from King Abdul Aziz University (KAU).
“Many families are faced with a dilemma when they have to send their children away for higher studies. Now, not only will they be able to support and encourage their children, but they will also be able to significantly reduce their financial burden,” said David Allen, University Counselor of the British International School in Jeddah. “I look forward to seeing more and more such opportunities for students to pursue higher education in the Kingdom,” said Allen.
Students can obtain the three-year Associate Degree from KAU in only two years, provided they clear the Exemption Exam for English which reduces the three-year period by one year, exempting two semesters.
The cost per semester is SR7,500 and the net cost of four semesters is SR30,000. Students can apply for a fee reduction of up to SR15,000.
Syed Masood Ahmed, principal of the International Indian School Jeddah (IISJ), described the fee structure as ‘affordable’.
“However, the expatriate community’s response to the programs offered will depend on their acceptability in the job market and the scope for further studies back home and abroad,” he said.
Ahmed hopes that the college will introduce professional courses as well. “Besides its educational significance, this venture will strengthen social and cultural interaction between the communities,” he said. After graduation, students can opt for further studies in a foreign country, such as, UK, USA, India, Pakistan, etc. This way they can get two degrees in a four-year period and from two different universities.
Sadig Dahlan, the Saudi national Director General of Coral International School, said he was delighted for expatriate parents and children. “This has proved that we are open to change and that Saudis are ready to interact and accept diversity in our public higher education system,” he said.
Dahlan said the notion of expatriate children, who study in international schools in the Kingdom, leaving Saudi Arabia for their undergraduate studies is an “ongoing drama and a source of fear for their parents.”
KAU will select only 200 male students who have completed or will be completing their grade 12 exams or higher secondary exams or A Level exams. Selection will be strictly on merit basis as per the marks obtained by the student in these exams.
A merit list of the selected students will be released in the first week of July. The selected students can opt for any of the courses on offer, which include, Computer Networking, Insurance, Marketing, Sales, Accounting and Pharmacy.
J. Andrew Westerman, Middle and High School principal, American International School of Jeddah, consider it wonderful opportunity for expatriate students living in the Kingdom. “The ability to remain close to home and study in a program that develops their skills in higher education is outstanding. I see this evolving towards other prospects in this growing area of higher education development.” Online application forms can be obtained from the university website http://jcc.kau.edu.sa and can be completed by students when they have received their final high school results.
Professor Ibrahim I. Kutbi, Dean of JCC, said KAU’s initiative provides an opportunity to students of all nationalities to get a quality education in Jeddah. “Our international tie-ups with universities in UK, USA, and other countries will enable students to obtain a second degree from reputed universities,” he said.
He said KAU’s qualified and experienced international faculty will enable students to develop an insight into all subjects and prepare them for a better future. Fifty-two community colleges across the Kingdom will ensure higher education for the maximum number of students. The rapid growth of community colleges is essential in order to prepare the youth for the workplace.
Every community college is affiliated to a leading university in its city. Community colleges in the Kingdom serve a large number of undergraduate students here, providing open access to postsecondary education through their three-year programs, contributing to workforce development and training, and by offering programs in specialized skills, which are essentially required in the public and private sector. Some programs have English as a second language.
Dahlan said JCC students, under the leadership of its Dean, Dr. Ibrahim Kotbi, and the JCC staff, will benefit from the new multicultural international student body, “as diversity in the classroom has always proved to advance the educational environment for students.”
JCC is in the process of becoming a Microsoft IT Academy and a candidate for international accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education (COE), which assures high quality of operations and programs. It offers the students a broad array of diplomas and associate degree programs affiliated with KAU, providing world class education with an international faculty and the latest technology to train its students.
JCC students can complete their graduation through universities in the Kingdom or abroad in universities which have tie-ups with community colleges. This way the student can have an associate degree from KAU and a degree from another university as well. Exemptions will be given by the partner university based on the studies completed at KAU.
Ashfaq Mehmood, Principal of Pakistan International School (PISJ), Al-Aziziah, considers the move as a positive step for non-Saudi boys in Jeddah. “This is the need of the hour for families whose children have grown up here and are unable to go to Pakistan for further studies,” he said.
He said he was informed that girls would be admitted in the college in three years time. “However, similar programs for girls should begin as soon as possible so that expatriate girls can also benefit from this opportunity,” Mehmood said.
Dr. Ahmad Abdul-Wahab, Vice Dean of Technology and Development of JCC, described the move as “a positive step in order to encourage youth to develop their knowledge so that they become society’s strong assets.”
“This step will go a long way in opening the doors of education for all communities in Jeddah and will be a cost-saving measure for many parents. It will bring students in contact with international teachers and hence, bring about the development of their minds in the right direction,” said Irfan Ahmed, marketing manager of KAU.
“Students can contact me by email on iahmid@kau.edu.sa or on mobile no. 0501372843,” he added. – SG