College Looks to Middle East for Next Partnership
Keuka College President Jorge L. Díaz-Herrera and American University of Science and Technology (AUST) President Madame Hiam Sakr signed a memorandum of understanding in Beruit, Lebanon..
Already a major higher educational player in Southeast Asia, Keuka College appears poised to extend its educational influence to the Middle East.
Keuka President Dr. Jorge L. Díaz-Herrera and Madame Hiam Sakr, president of the American University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Beirut, Lebanon, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that could lead to collaboration between the two schools.
“I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw,” said Díaz-Herrera. “The city is as beautiful and sophisticated as ever, on the shores of the Mediterranean, full of history and charm, and surrounded by fresh, green mountains. Our faculty and students will enjoy spending time there as exchange scholars.”
Dr. Gary Smith, vice president for professional studies and international programs, accompanied Díaz-Herrera to Beirut earlier this month after visiting AUST last fall.
“Our next step is to formalize a program like the 3+1 dual degree program we have with our two partner universities in Vietnam,” said Smith.
According to Smith, one proposal under consideration would have AUST students take 90 credit hours from AUST and 30 from Keuka College over four years in Beirut. They will earn Bachelor of Science degrees in management from Keuka College and AUST.
Smith is confident that an agreement can be finalized in time for the program to begin this fall, and believes as many as 100 students may enroll.
“There is a strong demand for American-style higher education in Lebanon,” said Smith. “In addition, AUST follows the U.S. model of education and standards. And like Keuka College, its business programs are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).”
AUST offers Bachelor of Science degrees in accounting, economics, finance, management, hospitality management, management information systems, marketing, marketing and advertising, and travel and tourism management, as well as MBAs in accounting, economics, finance, management, hospitality management, management information systems, and marketing.
“About one-half of the students are enrolled in business programs, with the others pursuing degrees in health and technology related majors, among others,” said Smith. “We saw business as a natural first step.”
Smith is hopeful a partnership with AUST will lead to student exchanges; one student from AUST is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in management—international business in Keuka Park.
Faculty exchanges may also be possible, said Smith, who added professors from Lebanon “would bring an international flavor to our international business program.”
AUST, founded in 1994, is a private, non-sectarian institution that enrolls some 5,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Keuka boasts the largest enrollment of any American college operating in China, with nearly 3,000 Chinese students pursuing Keuka degrees at four partner universities. Some 475 Vietnamese students are doing likewise at two universities in Vietnam.
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