A (nother) new university in Ras Al Khaima (RAK) in the RAK FTZ. There's a tie up with something called "Western International College" which appears to be the locally registered name for the University of Bolton (UOB, not BU I guess) in RAK. Other reports say WIC is the "partner" of Bolton University. The difference is probably academic (pun intended
). Press releases from UOB RAK say they will have a purpose built campus, but location of WIC is given as the first floor of the Al Naeem Building (Dubai Bank Building) on the UOB website, which doesn't sound very purpose built (should we replace those images in our imaginations of tree-lined walkways and courtyards with corridors, cheap carpet tiles, and blinking flourescent lights?).Courses available include Civil Engineering, Architectural Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics & Computer Engineering, Graphic & Interior Design, Supply Chain Management & Logistics, International Tourism Management, Business Administration (with specializations in Marketing, Finance, HR, MIS etc), Quantity Surveying, Commercial Management.
The Times (link:http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/good_university_guide/article2166305.ece) has a review of Bolton University in the UK, with some mediocre (at best) comments...
The largest town in England finally got a university in 2005, after eight years of trying. From 2008, it will have a single site in the town centre with additional and enhanced teaching space, facilities to interact with industry and a new students’ union. ... The university traces its roots back as far as 1824 to one of the country’s first three mechanics institutes...
... The downside – and it’s an important one – is that almost a third of the students are projected to leave without a qualification: by far the highest proportion in England. The university has an action plan to bring the rate down to the national average for its courses and qualifications by 2012.
Questions:
What's the story with the UOB RAK campus? Is there a purpose built one or not? If under construction, when is it due for completion?
Who is the local director? I found several names related to Bolton University...
Deputy Vice-Chancellor is Dr Peter Marsh
Academic Director at UOBRAK is Zubair Hanslot
Director of International Admissions is Raj Nambiar
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bolton in the UK is Dr George Holmes
Any other comments from lecturers or students about UOB? Add them here
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