AURAK Enriches Tourism Curriculum

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) signed an MOU with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), developing its educational programming and internship opportunities and creating scholarships and employment opportunities in the RAK tourism sector.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is a government institution aimed at cultivating Ras Al Khaimah into an international vacation destination for visitors seeking authentic, Arabian experiences. In the agreement, RAKTDA will assist AURAK with assessing the demand in RAK for graduates of tourism-related educational programs, and AURAK will administer courses identified by RAKTDA as needed by employers in the Emirate. RAKTDA will advise AURAK in obtaining the resources needed to set up a specialized Innovation Center for Tourism Study that will serve as the focal point for tourism programming at AURAK and assist AURAK in identifying possible international resort corporations to help fund the study.

The institutions will collaborate to encourage startup initiatives supporting the RAK tourism and hospitality sector. RAKTDA will provide start-ups assistance such as the provision of data relevant to the development of a business plan and advice related to licensing and identifying locations for the new venture, while AURAK has agreed to provide potential start-up faculty and student support in forming a business plan.

In terms of scholarships and internships, RAKTDA will provide AURAK with five scholarships for local Emirati students for a period of five years in the total amount of 50,000 AED and one internship. They will furthermore assist AURAK in identifying external internship providers and facilitate the development of those partnerships.

AURAK President, Professor Hassan Hamdan Al Akim, was elated about the partnership with RAKDTA, “This collaboration represents forward progression not only for AURAK students, but also the stabilization of the Ras Al Khaimah economy by contributing to the development of the emirate as an international tourism destination.”