The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (Aurak) has signed a co-operation agreement with Ireland's University of Limerick which will see its students take part in short-term study abroad programmes,

With this deal, the University of Limerick, which is based in the south-west of Ireland, ha become Aurak’s eighth European partner, alongside universities in England, France, Germany, Hungary, Poland and Spain.

The MoU intends to stimulate intercultural activities and projects between the two universities, including study abroad and student exchange opportunities, said a statement from Aurak.

This arrangement would allow students to take part in short-term study abroad programmes, or a student exchange for a period of up to one year. The partnership also promotes faculty exchange and research collaboration, it said.

Aurak also has more than 10 North American partners, as well as partner institutions in Asia and Africa.

A delegation from the Irish university visited Ras Al Khaimah in February in order to meet representatives from Aurak’s School of Engineering. The school offers 10 undergraduate programmes, with the objective of having all of them accredited by ABET by 2020, it added.

Prof Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, president of Aurak, said: “Developing new partnerships with universities across the world is always exciting. This new partnership represents a wonderful opportunity for our students to study in Western Europe, and hope to receive students from Ireland who are interested in experiencing life in Ras Al Khaimah.”

“I firmly believe in cross-cultural exchange and the wide range of mutual benefits that it brings,” he said.

Liam Ryan from University of Limerick's international education division, said: “We welcome the partnership with Aurak and the opportunities for collaboration that it brings.”

“We hope to provide pathways for Aurak students to further their studies in Ireland while also sending Irish students to experience the academic and cultural life in Ras Al Khaimah,” he added.

Dr Richard Gauvain, dean of academic support services at Aurak, said: “Study abroad experiences help students to contextualise and broaden their overall educational experiences.”

“These days, I can think of no venue more culturally rewarding for our study abroad students than Limerick,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service