Abu Dhabi University (ADU) said it has signed an agreement with the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) to provide IAT graduates the advantage of receiving college credit for courses they have taken in high school.

Under the MoU, there are specific IAT courses that have been identified and considered as equivalent to ADU courses, said a ADU statement.

The IAT students who earned various courses in english, computer & IT, engineering math, science, advanced physics, math, autocad and visual programming will be exempt from taking some of the foundational and major courses in ADU, the statement added.

Dr Terry Motiuk, vice chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said the Emirati IAT graduates undertaking undergraduate courses at ADU can now receive credits for some of the courses they took in high school.

“Some of the key courses covered under this arrangement are in the field of Science and Technology,” he said, “and IAT graduates w are eligible to earn credits to help further advance their studies at ADU.

“Such an arrangement, we believe, will encourage students to seek continued education for their own personal and professional development,” he added.

Eligibility of students for the college credits for courses taken in high school is conditional, based on the successful completion of their choice of an IAT-ATHS career cluster and fulfillment of all ADU admission requirements.

This includes submission of application and supporting documents, and a minimum IELTS score of 5 on all skills criteria.

Dr Motiuk said ADU has partnered with a number of leading schools and organizations locally and internationally with the objective of improving the quality of education.

"With its extensive resources it is recognized as a premier center for education within the UAE – an important assurance to students seeking access to research and career opportunities, he noted.

Dr Abdullatif Al Shamsi, managing director of IAT, commended the new alliance which stands to benefit entrants to ADU who have successfully graduated from IAT and seek opportunities in the various fields of Applied Technology.

Students will gain access to extensive resources and unparalleled research opportunities, he added.

Dr Al Shamsi said the agreement is distinguished since the course equivalency includes nearly eight subjects at the university level (which amounts to 24 credit hours typically studied during a semester and a half) for graduates of the Applied Technology High Schools.-TradeArabia News Service