AURAK Reaches France and California in Expanding International Partnerships

The Dean of Office of Academic Support Services, Prof. Steven Zani of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), coordinated a student exchange with La Rochelle Business School of France and the University of California, Irvine of the US.

Radostina Trifonova joined the School of Business, Groupe Sup de Co La Rochelle, while four AURAK undergraduates, Fatema Al Khatri, Khulood Al Mansoori, Wafa Al Shehhi, and Fatima Kabir, studied at UC Irvine during the second summer session. The three Emirati students studied “Special Topic: Advanced Conversation” and “Business English,” while the fourth student studied “Math 2A and Mechanical Engineering 120.” The Emirati students, Al Khatri, Al Mansoori, and Al Shehhi, received scholarships from the Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research.

The AURAK Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Success, Professor Stephen Whilite, said this about the exchange, “The engagement of exchange students with students and faculty at our university enriches the educational experience of both our visiting students and their AURAK classmates.  This initial exchange will encourage AURAK students to take advantage of the opportunity to study at La Rochelle. I was amazed at the powerful influence my graduate study in Great Britain had on how I viewed myself, my country of origin, and the importance of experiencing cultures different from my own.  I want every AURAK student to have the opportunity for that type of transformative international experience.”

AURAK President, Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, is also optimistic with the anticipated benefits from these collaborations, "Through partnerships with international institutions like La Rochelle Business School and UC Irvine, student success is inevitable with the global experiences acquired. They provide insight to other cultures and professional connections outside the Arabic world, developing successful, global citizens.”