The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), has granted candidacy status to the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK).

Prof. Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, AURAK president, stated, “I wish to express my sincere thanks to everyone for the considerable effort which was taken for us to achieve this significant milestone in the membership process. We are now just one step away from fulfilling our goal of obtaining institutional accreditation from SACSCOC. This progress is another indicator that we are steering this university towards our vision of establishing it as a leading institution of higher education through the impact of its education and research in the region.”

Candidacy represents a notable achievement for the university, as it continues its work to demonstrate compliance with the remaining standards and requirements. Earlier this year, the university outlined its ambitious plan of achieving SACSCOC membership by 2020, while also earning ABET accreditation for all of its engineering programmes and AACSB membership for its School of Business.

The university’s ambition has led to remarkable growth since its establishment in 2009, with a diverse faculty and student body, as well as an expanding campus to accommodate the increased demand for an AURAK education. A new building housing the School of Engineering, a new auditorium and student centre was inaugurated in 2016, while work has already begun on the School of Business.