OBEIKAN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY AND DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY LAUNCH LEARNING INITIATIVE FOR ARAB WORLD

Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia --- April 27, 2009 ---

Dr Theo Lynn, DCUBS, Dr. Ali Alhakami, General Manager and Managing Director, Obeikan Research and Development, An Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, Mr Frank Ryan, CEO Enterprise Ireland at the Irish Trade Mission Reception in Riyadh.

Obeikan Research and Development announces that it has launched the Arab Grid for Learning, a major learning portal initiative for the Arab world. Obeikan Research and Development, a leading education publisher in the Arab world, has worked with Cambridge University Press, ASU’s Applied Learning Technologies Institute and DCU’s Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre on the Arab Grid for Learning to extend the reach of online education to all educators and learners in the Arab world. The Arab Grid for Learning is part of the Global Grid for Learning, a worldwide initiative to connect a billion digital learning resources to education by 2018.

The Arab Grid for Learning provides a network of national portals with a common learning platform, online content and support communities for all educators and learners across the Arab World. The mission of the Arab Grid for Learning is to bring together, for mutual benefit, the full community of learners and their educators from across the Arab World. Individual educators and learners will be able to register on www.arabgridforlearning.org for free and access online applications such as email, blogs, and word processing, as well as a host of free content and courses covering a wide range of topics for all ages and audiences. The Arab Grid for Learning will provide learners with a secure, safe and culturally sensitive social operating system. Although the Arab Grid for Learning will feature an unsurpassed library of content resources and services, it will be different from previous online learning initiatives in that it will be based around Arabic people, rather than purely around content. It is intended that www.arabgridforlearning.org will be the largest open content portal in the Arab world.

In addition to www.arabgridforlearning.org, educational institutions and individual educators will be able to license and use the Arab Grid for Learning (www.arabgridforlearning.com) platform which includes a premium content library and learning management system to manage and deliver classes and courses and will be able to customise the look and feel to meet their institutional identity. Similarly, educational institutions can integrate the Arab Grid for Learning and some or all of its resources in to existing software systems so that learners access the resources through their school or university’s portal or using their existing usernames and passwords. The Arab Grid for Learning Content Library includes over one million resources from established publishers and rights management organisations around the world including Cambridge University Press, Obeikan-Riverdeep, BBC Worldwide, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Bridgeman Education, Reuters, Corbis and many more. The Arab Grid for Learning is currently being trialled by King Saud University Preparatory Year Programme.

The commercial elements of the initiative will be managed by Obeikan Research and Development in their offices throughout the Arab world and by Cambridge University Press through its New Directions Group in Cambridge, England. Dr. Theo Lynn (Dublin City University) and Dr. Sam DiGangi (Arizona State University) will act as Principal Investigators with responsibility for the delivery and management of the open content initiative and academic research related to the project as a whole.

Dublin City University (DCU) is one of the leading public universities in Ireland. DCU was established in 1980 to fulfil the national requirement for a highly-trained workforce with skills in the areas of business, science and electronics, computer technology, communications and languages and is now recognized nationally and internationally as a centre of academic excellence. DCU currently has over 10,000 students. DCU is currently host to almost 2,000 international students from over 114 countries. DCU ensures that students gain direct experience of industry and other workplaces, and offers the very latest technology and facilities to ensure that all are equipped to become leaders in their chosen fields. DCU attracts large numbers of high-calibre students from Ireland and abroad, it also ensures strong demand for DCU graduates by employers.

DCU’s research relationship with Saudi Arabia

In conjunction with Arizona State University, Cambridge University Press and Obeikan Research and Development, DCU has developed a learning platform for Saudi Arabia. This has recently been made live and the first major user is King Saud University Preparatory Year programme.

For further information on this learning platform

The School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering directs a number of projects with the involvement of students from Saudi Arabia. One of the current projects centres on the Durability of Multi Layered Plasma and HVOF Coatings while others focus on -Energy Absorbing Systems and the development and optimization of new sustainable fuel systems such as Hydrogen and Fuel Cell, Solar, Bio-Mass, Bio-diesel and CNG.

International Office

The International Office team is here to help you and offers a comprehensive 'one stop' service to students from Saudi.

Our role includes:

• Advice and counselling on all aspects of study in DCU including courses, tuition fees and making an application to study here
• Information and practical details about life in Dublin and in DCU, how to get here and what happens when you arrive

Entry requirements for students from Saudi Arabia

We have a number of students from Saudi Arabia at all levels and our staff is familiar with the Saudi Arabian education system and qualifications.

Applicants for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmers are required to have an internationally recognised English language qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum score that is accepted for entry is IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL Paper Based 550 or TOEFL Computer Based 213. Some programmes may require a higher score. For further information on English Language Requirements.

Saudi Arabia Scholarship Applications

Applicants who meet the university’s programme academic entry requirements, but who do not yet meet the English Language requirement, can also apply.

The International Foundation Certificate (IFC) Programme is specifically designed for non-native English speakers who do not meet the English language requirements for direct entry onto degree programmes in DCU. For further information on the IFC programme check out this webpage

The Pre-Masters International Foundation Programme (IFP ) is similar in design. Students who successfully complete this course will be guaranteed a place on their target degree programme in DCU and will be entitled to exemptions from modules successfully completed during the foundation year. For further information on the IFP programme check out this webpage.

Undergraduate Programme Application

Dublin City University warmly welcomes applications from candidates from Saudi Arabia.

The following Saudi Arabian qualifications suffice for application to Undergraduate degree programmes at DCU

• Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) PLUS
• Academic Foundation Programme or Diploma or Associate Degree from a recognised college or university
• IELTS 6.5

Applicants from Saudi Arabia wishing to apply for an undergraduate programme at DCU should submit a direct application form to DCU. The form can be downloaded from: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/forms/pdfs/R10.pdf

Applicants are assessed based on their performance in their examinations. Applicants must meet entry requirements. Additional information on all programmes are outlined here

Postgraduate Programme Application

The following Saudi Arabian qualifications suffice for application to Postgraduate Taught degree programmes at DCU:

• Bachelor degree from a recognised University and/or College in Saudi Arabia with a minimum overall CGPA result of 3.75/5 or over
• Masters degree from competitive Universities and Colleges in Saudi Arabia, will be considered for entry to postgraduate degrees at DCU
• Many programmes have specific programme requirements. To check on these, follow the link from the online prospectus to the specific programme.
• IELTS of 6.5

DCU uses an online application procedure for postgraduate taught programmes via what is called the Postgraduate Application Centre (PAC). The website can be accessed at: http://www.pac.ie/

For further details on Postgraduate Applicants please visit this page

Foundation programme

The International Foundation Certificate (IFC) programme is a pre-sessional undergraduate university course offered in Dublin City University, Ireland.

The International Foundation Certificate (IFC) Programme is specifically designed for non-native English speakers who do not meet the English language requirements for direct entry onto degree programmes in DCU. For further information on the IFC programme check out this webpage

The Pre-Masters International Foundation Programme (IFP ) is similar in design. Students who successfully complete this course will be guaranteed a place on their target degree programme in DCU and will be entitled to exemptions from modules successfully completed during the foundation year. For further information on the IFP programme check out this webpage.

Postgraduate Programmes (Master's / PhD)

It is recommended that applicants interested in research at Masters and PhD level should, in the first place, read the information available at http://www.dcu.ie/research.shtml

All NON-EU candidates must meet the English language entry requirement of IELTS 6.5

Prior to submitting an application it is essential that candidates make contact with potential supervisors in the first instance. All applications to undertake graduate research must be submitted on the University’s official Postgraduate Studies Application Form and must have the support of a potential supervisor.

Entry Requirements and Application

Holders of Bachelors, and Masters degrees with exceptional grades from competitive Universities and Colleges in Saudi Arabia will be considered for entry to Masters and PhD research at DCU.

Master's by Research:

Students should apply directly to DCU using the postgraduate research application form (PDF document).

Applications are accepted on an on-going basis.

PhD by Research:

Candidates should apply directly to DCU by filling out the postgraduate research application form (PDF document).

Applications are accepted on an on-going basis.

Student Support and Development

As a DCU student you will have access to all the services provided by Student Support and Development

If you apply to study in DCU, your first point of contact will be the International Office but there are many other services you may wish to link into such as the Inter Faith Centre.

Inter Faith Centre

The Inter Faith Centre provides a welcome space for all who come to the Campus. Here people find support for their faith development and belief in God. There are two prayer rooms, one for men and one for women. The Main Room in the Inter Faith Centre is used every Friday for the Zuma Prayer of the Muslim Community. There is regular interaction with the Islamic community at all levels. Recent events include a lecture on what it means to be a Muslim in today’s world, given by Ali Selim from the Islamic Cultural Centre in Ireland. The Inter Faith Centre provides hospitality to all students and the possibility for inter-action at all levels between students and staff in DCU.

Visa information for students from Saudi Arabia

Immigration Regulations

Visas

The Irish Embassy in Riyadh will provide you with detailed information on applying for a visa. The contact details for the Embassy are:

Applicants are asked to supply the following information when applying for a visa:

• Valid passport number
• Date of issue and expiry of passport
• Date, place and mode of arrival in Ireland
• Letter from the University indicating that you have been offered a place in DCU
• Letter from University indicating that the fees have been paid in full
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover living and other expenses for the proposed stay
• Recent passport photographs
• Visa application fee (non-refundable)
• Proof of medical insurance
• In some cases proof of English, such as an IELTS or TOEFL certificate is required

These documents should be sent to the Irish Embassy. Visa applications can take some months to process, so it is advisable to secure a place early at the University, in order to avoid disappointment. Unfortunately the University has no control or influence over visa issues but will advise where possible.

Arabic in DCU

While Arabic is not taught as a formal credit-bearing module in DCU, Arabic classes are made available to Law & Government MA and PhD students and staff since September 2008. It is intended to put on two full semesters of classes next academic year 2009/1010.

Representation in Saudi Arabia

IGEC - Saudia Arabia
Sada Business Centre - Olayyah
Riyadh
PO Box 295565
Riyadh 11351
Saudia Arabia
Mr. Jehad Elzogheir
Tel: 966 1 4646 147/012
Email: saudi@igec.com.au
Website:  www.igec.com.au

Further Information:

The International Office representative responsible for students from Saudi Arabia will be happy to assist you with any questions:

Ms Angela Mitchell, International Office, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9, Ireland.

T: +353-1-700 8602; F: +353-1-700 8698, E: angela.mitchell@dcu.ie, W: www.dcu.ie

For more detailed information on studying at DCU please consult the International Office website or contact us directly at international.office@dcu.ie