Arab Open University

About

Arab Open University (AOU) in Saudi Arabia provides a flexible blended learning experience, combining distance education with face-to-face tutorials, making it particularly accessible for international students. Academically, AOU is well-regarded for its programs in Business Administration, Information Technology, and English Language and Literature. A significant draw for international students is its partnership with the Open University (UK), which allows students to earn dual degrees from both institutions, with many programs delivered entirely in English. While AOU's model doesn't feature a dedicated international student office in the traditional sense, its English-taught curriculum and flexible structure inherently support a diverse global student body. Its distinctive characteristic is its pioneering role in delivering internationally recognized, accessible higher education across the Arab world through a blended learning framework.

Background

Arab Open University (AOU) (Arabic: الجامعة العربية المفتوحة) is a non-profit university system in the Arab world. Headquartered in Kuwait, the system is composed of 16 campuses across 9 countries: Ardiya in Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah, Ḥail, Al-Ahsa in Saudi Arabia, Seeb in Oman, A'ali in Bahrain, Amman in Jordan, Al-Bireh in Palestine, Beirut, Antelias, Tripoli in Lebanon, El-Shorouk in Egypt and Khartoum in Sudan. The university has a combined student body of 62,612 students, 61,886 of which are postgraduates while 742 of which are postgraduates, 1031 staff members and 77,037 living alumni. The headquarters of the university is located in Kuwait, designated in 2000. The university has a long-standing academic partnership with the United Kingdom's Open University.

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