Provost Gives RAK Closure Forum

By Connect2Mason Breaking News Director Matt Todd and
Student Media Copy Editor Jacqueline Schafer

Today, Provost Peter N. Stearns held a forum discussing the closure of Mason’s Ras Al Khaimah branch in the United Arab Emirates. The campus will close at the conclusion of this semester on May 25 without a single graduate.

The school has only operated since 2005. It will close permanently due to reduction in funding from a private investor group and the fact that the dean would be required to report to the RAK Education Company (Edrak) rather than Mason-USA directly, which Mason and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) did not approve of.

Without direct oversight, Mason would not be able to ensure their academic standards are met. Stearns said that Mason tried to communicate the level of their disagreement multiple times over the last few months but “[Edrak] felt that they could not change their course,” which led to Mason’s decision to pull out. “We could not, in my judgment, continue in the current climate,” said Stearns.

According to www.insidehighered.com, 120 students have registered within the past three years with another 40 to 50 students receiving English language training in preparation for admission.

Stearns informed attendees of the forum that the university will accommodate RAK students the best they can with several options. One possibility is to transfer to other U.S.-operated universities in the area such as Michigan State University, which has a campus in Dubai, approximately one hour south of Ras Al Khaimah, as well as the University of Bolton in RAK. Mason is also helping United Arab Emirates students transfer efficiently to Mason-USA and has even reserved housing for students interested in transferring here.

A counselor officer will be coming Monday, March 2 to help assist students affected by the closure with visa applications. RAK student Moin Sheriff stated that one issue that could pose a problem is for, “Students who aren’t in good academic standing, because they cannot get the visa for the United States, and cannot transfer to any university back here in the UAE.”

Students who wish to come to Mason-USA will have adjusted out of state tuition so they will pay no more than they have been at GMU-RAK. Mason is also working with Georgetown and other universities in the area to help students transition smoothly to the U.S. Yet, with the closure fresh in students' minds, there's no doubt of great concern and utter dismay.

"From a students point of view, the initial reaction was one of shock and dismay, but these sentiments now have given way to larger, looming concerns regarding our future and the next step forward," says RAK student Saurabh Saraswat. He adds, "Personally, being as close as another semester from graduation, the realization that the campus is closing down and hence possibly taking with it my ability to complete the degree is very unsettling."

Ayyam Al Anqar of RAK's Student Affairs Office has informed of his resignation Feb. 12. He says, "It is sad for GMU-RAK to reach such a tragic end and to see such tension and complications taking place on campus. It was expected though from my side and few others in campus who have anticipated such a disaster long time ago."

Mason’s RAK campus was licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the United Arab Emirates but was still in the process of receiving accreditation from them. Because of this, students will not be able to transfer their credits to other United Arab Emirates schools, but since the school is accredited by SACS, they should be able to transfer those credits to U.S.-based universities in the United Arab Emirates.

Stearns held a videoconference with students of the GMU-RAK campus Feb. 23 to discuss the decision. He said, “Their mood toward us is concerned, but constructive.”

One forum attendee expressed concern that this would discourage Mason from future endeavors into global education, but Stearns said, “We will continue to work at the global level.” Mason is currently working on an agreement with Moscow State University and Stearns said they might consider other options in the future. For now he said we should “pick up these pieces and then pause for breath.”