Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a mission statement?
A mission statement explains the purpose of the university and its goals to students, teachers and the community.
Where can I find AUK’s mission statement?
You can find AUK’s mission statement in the AUK course catalogue.
Why is a mission statement important?
A mission statement is important because it explains what we as a university want to achieve and how to succeed now and into the future.
What is AUK’s vision?
AUK’s vision is to become one of the best universities in the Middle East by encouraging academic excellence by being creative in teaching and learning and producing high quality research.
What are AUK’s core values?
AUK’s core values are:
• diversity (respecting other cultures and religions)
• accountability (taking responsibility)
• creativity (thinking outside the box)
• integrity (being honest)
• commitment (working hard)
A mission statement explains the purpose of the university and its goals to students, teachers and the community.
Where can I find AUK’s mission statement?
You can find AUK’s mission statement in the AUK course catalogue.
Why is a mission statement important?
A mission statement is important because it explains what we as a university want to achieve and how to succeed now and into the future.
What is AUK’s vision?
AUK’s vision is to become one of the best universities in the Middle East by encouraging academic excellence by being creative in teaching and learning and producing high quality research.
What are AUK’s core values?
AUK’s core values are:
• diversity (respecting other cultures and religions)
• accountability (taking responsibility)
• creativity (thinking outside the box)
• integrity (being honest)
• commitment (working hard)
What is a college inside a university?
A college is a group of departments within one study area.
Each department has a MAJOR. For example, in the College of Arts and Sciences, there are three departments:
o Interior Design
o Information Science
o Environment Science
Who is a Chair of Department?
The Chair manages the department and major. The Chair makes the Study Plan and works with advisors and teachers.
Who is a Dean?
A Dean manages all the departments in a college and is the top position in a college. The Dean handles any problems that cannot be resolved by advisors or chairs.
How many colleges are there at AUK?
There are five colleges at AUK:
o Arts and Sciences
o International Studies
o Engineering
o B Nursing
What is ELI (English Language Institute)?
ELI is the language institute that provides English language courses to students before they enter academic courses. ELI has a director, assistant director, and a manager.
What does the Office of Registration do?
The Office of Registration registers students for classes and keeps information about students’ courses and grades. It works closely with the Office of Finance and the Deans.
A college is a group of departments within one study area.
Each department has a MAJOR. For example, in the College of Arts and Sciences, there are three departments:
o Interior Design
o Information Science
o Environment Science
Who is a Chair of Department?
The Chair manages the department and major. The Chair makes the Study Plan and works with advisors and teachers.
Who is a Dean?
A Dean manages all the departments in a college and is the top position in a college. The Dean handles any problems that cannot be resolved by advisors or chairs.
How many colleges are there at AUK?
There are five colleges at AUK:
o Arts and Sciences
o International Studies
o Engineering
o B Nursing
What is ELI (English Language Institute)?
ELI is the language institute that provides English language courses to students before they enter academic courses. ELI has a director, assistant director, and a manager.
What does the Office of Registration do?
The Office of Registration registers students for classes and keeps information about students’ courses and grades. It works closely with the Office of Finance and the Deans.
What are university requirements?
These are courses you must finish to graduate.
What is a pre-requisite course?
A pre-requisite course is a course you have to complete BEFORE you do another advanced course.
What is an elective?
An elective is a course a student chooses freely outside the study plan in coordination with their advisor. All majors have different elective requirements.
Where can I find the major and minor requirements for my degree?
You can find these in the course catalogue.
What is a study plan?
A study plan is the courses you have to take for your degree. You should talk to your supervisor about your study plan to make sure you follow it correctly.
These are courses you must finish to graduate.
What is a pre-requisite course?
A pre-requisite course is a course you have to complete BEFORE you do another advanced course.
What is an elective?
An elective is a course a student chooses freely outside the study plan in coordination with their advisor. All majors have different elective requirements.
Where can I find the major and minor requirements for my degree?
You can find these in the course catalogue.
What is a study plan?
A study plan is the courses you have to take for your degree. You should talk to your supervisor about your study plan to make sure you follow it correctly.
How many credits do I need to graduate?
Most degree courses need 120 credits. Some degree courses need more. Check with your advisor or department chair.
What are the maximum and minimum credit hours I can take each semester?
The maximum is fifteen (15) the minimum is twelve (12).
How many credits do I need to complete General Education and when should I take these courses?
You need to complete about 21-25 credits before you start courses in your major. Please check your study plan.
Who do I see about my study plan?
Please see your ADVISOR to discuss your study plan.
How do I calculate your GPA?
Use the formula based on the TOTAL GRADE POINTS divided by TOTAL CREDIT HOURS.
Total Grade Points
------------------------- = GPA
Total Credit Hours
What is the minimum GPA do I need to graduate at AUK?
You need a minimum of 2.0 to graduate from AUK.
What is the minimum GPA I need to keep a scholarship?
Scholarship requirements are different for each scholarship. Please see the Office of Registration if you are on a scholarship for clear information.
Most degree courses need 120 credits. Some degree courses need more. Check with your advisor or department chair.
What are the maximum and minimum credit hours I can take each semester?
The maximum is fifteen (15) the minimum is twelve (12).
How many credits do I need to complete General Education and when should I take these courses?
You need to complete about 21-25 credits before you start courses in your major. Please check your study plan.
Who do I see about my study plan?
Please see your ADVISOR to discuss your study plan.
How do I calculate your GPA?
Use the formula based on the TOTAL GRADE POINTS divided by TOTAL CREDIT HOURS.
Total Grade Points
------------------------- = GPA
Total Credit Hours
What is the minimum GPA do I need to graduate at AUK?
You need a minimum of 2.0 to graduate from AUK.
What is the minimum GPA I need to keep a scholarship?
Scholarship requirements are different for each scholarship. Please see the Office of Registration if you are on a scholarship for clear information.
What does your advisor do?
They tell you which courses to study for your degree program. They tell you which courses are pre-requisites, major and minor courses. You must speak to your advisor FIRST before registering for any course.
After I have chosen my courses with my advisor, where do I go next?
You need to go to the Office of Registration and then to the Office of Finance.
Can I add or drop a course once I have registered?
You can change your courses and get 100% refund if you drop during the add/drop week.
What is a “W”?
W means you dropped the course after completing some of it. It will appear on your transcript as W. It does not count toward GPA.
There is a deadline to drop a course with W in the academic calendar. If you drop AFTER that date, you will receive an F.
What if I fail a course?
You can repeat a course up to three times. If you pass a course you failed before, the earlier F will be removed from your GPA. If you do not repeat the course, the F will remain in your GPA and have a VERY negative effect.
They tell you which courses to study for your degree program. They tell you which courses are pre-requisites, major and minor courses. You must speak to your advisor FIRST before registering for any course.
After I have chosen my courses with my advisor, where do I go next?
You need to go to the Office of Registration and then to the Office of Finance.
Can I add or drop a course once I have registered?
You can change your courses and get 100% refund if you drop during the add/drop week.
What is a “W”?
W means you dropped the course after completing some of it. It will appear on your transcript as W. It does not count toward GPA.
There is a deadline to drop a course with W in the academic calendar. If you drop AFTER that date, you will receive an F.
What if I fail a course?
You can repeat a course up to three times. If you pass a course you failed before, the earlier F will be removed from your GPA. If you do not repeat the course, the F will remain in your GPA and have a VERY negative effect.
What does AUK expect from its students?
• Don’t copy from other students, the internet or other sources that you do not reference;
• Don’t cheat in exams or other forms of assessment;
• Respect other students, faculty, staff and university property;
• Be on time to all classes;
• Keep absences to a minimum. Ten percent (10%) absences are allowed fifteen percent (15%) results in a FAIL.
• Respect classroom rules (including the use of mobile phones);
• Check e-mail regularly through Microsoft Teams and Outlook;
• Do not bully, insult nor abuse faculty, staff, and fellow students
What can AUK students expect from its faculty/teachers?
• Keep regular office hours (shown outside of their offices);
• Grade fairly and professionally;
• Provide clear course objectives and outcomes with a course syllabus;
• Provide all materials on Microsoft Teams;
• Maintain privacy
What is a syllabus?
A syllabus is a description of a course. It gives all the information about the course including assignments and exams. The syllabus is like a “contract” between the teacher and the students. Usually a teacher will give you the syllabus on the first day of class.
If I have a problem with my studies that my teacher or advisor cannot help me with, who do I go to?
You should speak to the chair of your department, and if necessary, the Dean of your school. Sometimes the chair of department is also an advisor.
If I am unhappy with my grade, who do I talk to?
o Provide a STRONG case why your grade should be changed. (“I want more marks” is not a strong case)
o See your teacher
o If that does not help, see the chair of your department
Students should not compare their own work with others – each student is evaluated individually.
What types of assessments will I have to do?
The following are used to grade your performance:
o written assignments
o presentations
o class participation
o quizzes/exams
When you are assigned into a group for assessment, your grade is as a GROUP not as an INDIVIDUAL.
• Don’t copy from other students, the internet or other sources that you do not reference;
• Don’t cheat in exams or other forms of assessment;
• Respect other students, faculty, staff and university property;
• Be on time to all classes;
• Keep absences to a minimum. Ten percent (10%) absences are allowed fifteen percent (15%) results in a FAIL.
• Respect classroom rules (including the use of mobile phones);
• Check e-mail regularly through Microsoft Teams and Outlook;
• Do not bully, insult nor abuse faculty, staff, and fellow students
What can AUK students expect from its faculty/teachers?
• Keep regular office hours (shown outside of their offices);
• Grade fairly and professionally;
• Provide clear course objectives and outcomes with a course syllabus;
• Provide all materials on Microsoft Teams;
• Maintain privacy
What is a syllabus?
A syllabus is a description of a course. It gives all the information about the course including assignments and exams. The syllabus is like a “contract” between the teacher and the students. Usually a teacher will give you the syllabus on the first day of class.
If I have a problem with my studies that my teacher or advisor cannot help me with, who do I go to?
You should speak to the chair of your department, and if necessary, the Dean of your school. Sometimes the chair of department is also an advisor.
If I am unhappy with my grade, who do I talk to?
o Provide a STRONG case why your grade should be changed. (“I want more marks” is not a strong case)
o See your teacher
o If that does not help, see the chair of your department
Students should not compare their own work with others – each student is evaluated individually.
What types of assessments will I have to do?
The following are used to grade your performance:
o written assignments
o presentations
o class participation
o quizzes/exams
When you are assigned into a group for assessment, your grade is as a GROUP not as an INDIVIDUAL.
What does AUK expect from you?
We expect students, to work in groups as well as individually, take notes and study outside of university. We expect you to bring a notebook and pen AND/OR a laptop for taking notes in class.
When is a good time to ask my teacher a question?
Sometimes you can ask a question during the class if the teacher permits that. Other times, you can try to talk to your teacher after class IF your teacher has time (often they are rushing to another class). The BEST TIME to ask questions is during a teacher’s office hours.
How can I work in a group if I don’t know everyone?
Part of your education in AUK is learning to get along with others. Sometimes you will be in a group with students you do not know. Cooperate with each other and remember that groups are graded as a GROUP so any weak link will affect everyone’s mark. Encourage and help each other as much as possible.
We expect students, to work in groups as well as individually, take notes and study outside of university. We expect you to bring a notebook and pen AND/OR a laptop for taking notes in class.
When is a good time to ask my teacher a question?
Sometimes you can ask a question during the class if the teacher permits that. Other times, you can try to talk to your teacher after class IF your teacher has time (often they are rushing to another class). The BEST TIME to ask questions is during a teacher’s office hours.
How can I work in a group if I don’t know everyone?
Part of your education in AUK is learning to get along with others. Sometimes you will be in a group with students you do not know. Cooperate with each other and remember that groups are graded as a GROUP so any weak link will affect everyone’s mark. Encourage and help each other as much as possible.
Where can I access information and resources for my studies?
At AUK you have access to a library as well as an e-Library. You must bring your student ID card to access both libraries. As a student you also have access to the ‘Learning Centre’ with teachers able to help you your studies and language assistance.
What services does the IT department provide?
They can provide you with your student identification, help you with computer problems, Microsoft Teams, and Turnitin.
What does Student Affairs do?
They are responsible for individual student problems, student government, student clubs and extra-curricular activities (activities outside of university).
What is the Student Government and who is in it?
The Student Government works with the students, faculty and administration. It has four members:
o President (elected yearly)
o Vice-President, (elected yearly)
o Secretary (chosen by President)
o Treasurer (chosen by the President)
There are many committees that support the Student Government.
Where do I go if I feel unwell?
There is a clinic on the ground floor near the cafeteria. It has basic medical supplies for minor medical problems.
Who do I go to if I have stress or anxiety issues?
The Office of Student Affairs will be able to put you in contact with appropriate and local counselling services.
At AUK you have access to a library as well as an e-Library. You must bring your student ID card to access both libraries. As a student you also have access to the ‘Learning Centre’ with teachers able to help you your studies and language assistance.
What services does the IT department provide?
They can provide you with your student identification, help you with computer problems, Microsoft Teams, and Turnitin.
What does Student Affairs do?
They are responsible for individual student problems, student government, student clubs and extra-curricular activities (activities outside of university).
What is the Student Government and who is in it?
The Student Government works with the students, faculty and administration. It has four members:
o President (elected yearly)
o Vice-President, (elected yearly)
o Secretary (chosen by President)
o Treasurer (chosen by the President)
There are many committees that support the Student Government.
Where do I go if I feel unwell?
There is a clinic on the ground floor near the cafeteria. It has basic medical supplies for minor medical problems.
Who do I go to if I have stress or anxiety issues?
The Office of Student Affairs will be able to put you in contact with appropriate and local counselling services.