George Mason University

Effective Summer 2009, George Mason University closed its campus operations in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). The RAK Campus was a tremendous undertaking, with a great shared vision for a campus in the Emirates with the same vitality and academic quality that Mason offers at its U.S. campuses. Unfortunately, several issues, not the least of which is the global economic crisis, have intersected in a way that makes it impossible to achieve these admirable goals.

George Mason University’s residential campus in Fairfax, located just outside Washington, D.C. is in a beautiful suburban environment. The campus has wonderful residences for students and a wide variety of state-of-the-art facilities, in addition to access to one of the most dynamic cities in the world. We would encourage you to consider George Mason University in the United States as an alternative to studying in Ras Al Khaimah.

Here are the options available to for RAK students to continue their education:

• All students enrolled at GMU-RAK have been sent a letter regarding their status with the university and the opportunities available to study at George Mason’s Virginia campuses.
• The Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah has issued a decree creating the American University of Ras Al Khaimah. The new institution is in the process of seeking licensure and accreditation for its programs through the Commission for Academic Accreditation. AURAK is scheduled to open in June 2009 at the site currently occupied by GMU-RAK.
• The Commission for Academic Accreditation has sent a letter to higher education institutions in the UAE indicating that they may admit GMU-RAK students as transfer students.
• Several UAE institutions have expressed interest in GMU-RAK students, including
  • Michigan State University Dubai
  • American University in Dubai
  • Ajman University, and
  • University of Sharjah