The creation of the
Arab Open University (AOU) came as a personal initiative by HRH
Prince Talal Bin Abdulaziz, President of the Arab Gulf Programme for
United Nations Development Organizations (AGFUND). Although roots of
the concept go back to 1976, a more formal call was made by HRH
Prince Talal in 1996.
Following
a feasibility study and a subsequent standing collaboration with the
United Kingdom Open University, the AOU was established under the
umbrella of the AGFUND. It has, since then, been adopted, in
principle, as an Arab private institution of higher education with a
special status.
As a
result of continued coordination with the Arab Ministers of Higher
Education, nine Arab countries offered to approve the establishment
of branches of the AOU, five of which offered certain facilities and
privileges for hosting the AOU Headquarters.
On
December 9, 2000, HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdulaziz announced the
choice of Kuwait as the Headquarters for the AOU. Subsequently, on
January 9, 2001, HRH Prince Talal signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the State of Kuwait for said purpose, thereby,
paving the way for a formal Headquarters' agreement.
Furthermore, it has been agreed with the hosting Arab states to
have the AOU operate as a licensed institution of Higher Education,
and hence, the AOU intends to meet the national criteria of
accreditation in each of these states.
-Does the site appear to
be well-designed and consistent?
The AOU website has a
well-design appearance which you can see not only on the homepage,
but also on the sub-site pages. You will find that all sections are
organized and easy to find what you want to know.
-Does the site appear to
have important external links? Explain?
The site contains
important external links, such as: the branches of the Arab Open
University in Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman and
Saudi Arabia. And the National Commission for Academic Accreditation
and Assessment (NCAAA). Also, the Open University Validation
Services (OUVS). And the United Kingdom Open University (UKOU),
Finally the UNESCO website.
-How up-to-date does the
site appear to be?
The site appear
up-to-date because it provides all new events and fresh learning
materials directly when you need it in the “latest News” .
-Does the site meet the
students, tutor' and faculty requirements? And how?
In the AOU website
you will find your ultimate desired goal of all subjects. Beginning
of the biggest storage of useful date and resources the “e-Library”.
It maintains a number of subscriptions to world-class digital
libraries. The AOU has two laboratories open 12 hour a day prepared
with PCs and ready to work with internet. Even if you can’t come to
the university, it came with a brilliant idea that is “Laptop for
Every Student's project”.
And the “Learning
Management System” (LMS) is an effective way for student to study
and to communicate between the students and there tutors. Also it
provide an e-mail for both students and staff.
-Does the site appear to
have any follow-up for the graduated students?
The AOU website is
working to offer services for graduated student and to make it
possible to continue the higher education, but it will be in the
near future.
-What are your
suggestions to improve the site?
In the near future I
would like to hear about the AOU newsletter included the latest news
of the university and a relative materials of the student's
interest.
For more information visit this link :
http://www.arabou.org.sa/en/index.php
