Private universities in middle east offer alternative to govt owned

American University in Cairo

Private universities represent an alternative to students who cannot be attending governmental universities.

Many students think that private universities only aim to gain more profits irregardless of academic requirements. However, there are many private universities that have a strong reputation for academic excellence.

Among the private universities which are in this category are the American University in Cairo (AUC) and American University of Beirut (AUB). There are also many Arab private universities that uphold high standards comparable to a government university.

Mohammad Bin Fahd University (PMU), located in Eastern Province of the Kingdom, represents one of the best private universities in the Kingdom.

The vision of the founders aims to ensure that the university remains a unique and distinguished higher education institution that participates in preparing future leaders in various fields. It also applies its colleges to enrich and develop intelligence, and explore innovative methodologies and technologies to achieve its objectives, as well as breaking the barrier between the academic and business society.

Private universities currently work to select new students to be accepted in their academic programs through personal interviews or examinations.

Some private universities have proven that they do not solely aim to profit and can compete with government universities to attract more students.

However, students studying in private universities confirmed that the fees of this institutions are getting more expensive than before, but still they are favored due to high standards and strong reputation.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who is also chairman of the Higher Education Council, approved the establishment of private universities to accept students who cannot gain entry to government universities.

There is also Dar Al-Uloom (DAU), located in Riyadh. The DAU offers a wide range of programs for Saudi and international students. Its programs provide solid and well-supervised academic training. The programs have been designed in collaboration with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM).

There is also Taiba University in Madinah which is planning to sign an agreement with Kent State University to join the program of the Federation of Universities for Scientific Research and Higher Studies.