Zayed University continues to pursue excellence

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, President of Zayed University (ZU) and Minister of International Cooperation and Development, has affirmed Zayed University's keenness to continue to pursue excellence and distinction at both academic and administrative levels.

"Zayed University has made great strides and incredible achievements to attain specialised academic accreditations," Sheikha Lubna commented on the new international accreditation that the College of Communication and Media Science at Zayed University recently received from the US-based Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (ACEJMC).

The ACEJMC is responsible for the evaluation of professional journalism and mass communications programmes in colleges and universities.

The international accreditation reaffirms the superior quality of education that the College of Communication and Media Science is offering for Zayed University students.

Achieving this accreditation is a process of rigorous internal review and evaluation, which was conducted by the Council at the beginning of May in Phoenix city in the US.

"This achievement reflects the UAE vision 2021 that strives to implement the ideal educational practices and environments to prepare highly qualified graduates, who are capable of instigating innovations and creative accomplishments that lead the UAE's future towards more progress and prosperity," Sheikha Lubna emphasised.

Sheikha Lubna also congratulated faculty members and students at the College of Communication and Media Sciences for the well-deserved achievement, affirming that Zayed University will always strive for continuous improvement and perfection.

For his part, Professor Reyadh Al Mehaideb, Vice President of ZU, said, "The ACEJMC accreditation for bachelor's degree programmes at the College of Communication and Media Sciences has a specific criteria that encourages research and innovation. Obtaining the accreditation proves that Zayed University is eligible and distinguished to earn such prestigious recognition and makes it one of the very few universities to attain it outside the US."

"The ACEJMC recognises each educational institution based on specific defined criteria such as, curricula and courses, faculty members, research production, service learning, and resources.

Zayed University has implemented a high-quality teaching environment and demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement," he added.

The accrediting council found that the College of Communication and Media Sciences at Zayed University is in compliance with all nine ACEJMC Accrediting Standards, which include evaluations of the College's mission, governance and administration, curriculum and instruction, diversity and inclusiveness, full-time and part-time faculty, scholarship, research, creative and professional activity, student services, resources, facilities and equipment, professional and public service, and assessment of learning outcomes.

The ACEJMC prestigious accreditation is not the first of its kind in the history of Zayed University education. Two programmes within the College of Technological Innovation obtained international accreditation through the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) of ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) in summer 2012.

ABET has been an international leader in higher education quality assurance for more than 75 years and has accredited programmes at more than 600 institutions worldwide.

ABET has accredited the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Technology Management and the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, specialisation in Security and Network Technologies programmes.

In 2014, the ABET has also granted continued accreditation status for these two programmes until 2018.

Additionally, the College of Education has received accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in 2013. The English Language Learning programme is internationally recognised by Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) International Organisation, the Early Childhood Education programme is internationally recognised by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and the Math Education programme is internationally recognised through the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

The College of Business has also received accreditation from the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate School of Business (AACSB-International) in June 2013. This accreditation represents the highest achievement for an educational institution that awards business degrees. Less than 50 per cent of all business schools worldwide have earned it.
Source: WAM