Dar Al-Hekma University
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Established | 1999 |
| Location | Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia |
| Website | Official website |
Dar Al-Hekma University is a private, non-profit institution of higher education for women in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Classes are taught in English. The University started in September 1999, with the approval of the Saudi Ministry of Education. It received the university status on January 2014.[1]
The University's Chairman is Dr. Zuhair H. Fayez who is also president of Zuhair Fayez Partnership. In 2010, Dr. Fayez has been awarded the Honorary Degree "Doctor of Humane Letters" from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Dr. Suhair Hassan Al Qurashi is the president of Dar Al-Hekma University and member of the University's Board of Directors. She received a PhD. in Education and an M.P.E. in Educational Research from Cambridge University, U.K.
History
Dar Al-Hekma University, a pioneering project of the Al-Elm Foundation, was established in 1999 after nearly four years of intensive planning and successful implementation, with the objective of providing state of the art higher educational facilities and services through academic institutions such as colleges and universities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The medium of instruction for all degree programs is English.
The academic programs at the University were developed by the Texas International Education Consortium (TIEC), Austin, Texas, USA. About 140 experts were recruited to serve on the various project elements teams to complete the task of developing the overall curriculum, the detailed course description and course syllabus as well as information on the laboratory component and text books, etc
The first year, 120 students enrolled in three majors: management information systems, interior design, and special education. In 2002, the first group of graduates was honored at a ceremony by the late King Abdullah, Crown Prince at the time.
Since 2013, and the University has been offering 13 bachelor degrees and two master degrees.
Community Service
In an attempt to raise awareness of the importance of social responsibility, the University was the first educational institution in Saudi Arabia that introduced the community service program back in 2007. Each student is required to complete 100 hours of community service before graduation.
Academic programs
Dar Al-Hekma University offers bachelor degrees in 13 majors and two different master degrees from three schools:
1. The Hekma School of Business and Law:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Banking and Finance
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Management Information Systems
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Marketing
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration / Human Resource Management
Bachelor of Law
Master of Business Administration
Master of Arts in International Relations
2. The Hekma School of Design and Architecture:
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design
Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication / Motion Graphics
Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication / Graphic Design
Bachelor of Architecture
3. The Hekma School of Education and Health Sciences:
Bachelor of Science in Special Education in Learning Disabilities
Bachelor of Science in Special Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
The 5-Dimensional Program
Dar Al-Hekma University seeks to develop holistic individuals and professionals, and therefore focuses on five dimensions of students' personal development.
Intellectual: Students get the opportunity to engage in debates on current affairs, and invite noted speakers and role models to share their experiences with them.
Spiritual: Dar Al-Hekma builds on the spiritual and religious aspects of life in Saudi Arabia, and connects students with their Islamic values. The University holds seminars, talks and takes students on trips to visit Makkah and Madinah regularly.
Social: Dar Al-Hekma builds confidence by nurturing student interaction among themselves as peers as well as with staff and faculty. This goal is achieved through get-togethers, BBQs, as well as through welcome and year end parties.
Physical: The sport facilities and clubs provide students with a unique combination of community and commitment. The University's physical activities are designed to develop confidence, teamwork, and above all real-world leadership skills.
Self-development: Dar Al-Hekma's self-development service develops individuals as value-adding members of the society. Through class training and workshops on stress management, time management, and emotional intelligence, we teach our students to excel in the world.
The campus
Dar Al-Hekma University is housed in one integrated structure consisting of 26,500 square meters. The academic space includes classrooms, computer labs, science labs, faculty and administrative offices and a library student services and activities includes prayer rooms, counseling and career services center, health services, recreational facilities, offices, meeting rooms for student clubs, lounges and common room, gym, cafeterias and a 1200-seat auditorium.
References
- ↑ "King's decision on private college tuition fees hailed". Saudi Gazette. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
External links
- Saudi King Tries to Grow Modern Ideas in Desert, Thanassis Cambanis, New York Times, October 26, 2007.