The Australian College of Kuwait is a private education institution located in the state of Kuwait. It is one of the few private universities in Kuwait established alongside Kuwait University. It offers different kinds of programs including business, engineering, and aviation programs. ACK is one of the first privet

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universities to be established in Kuwait.

History

The Australian College of Kuwait has been established under Kuwait Law 34/2000, governing private universities in Kuwait, to provide internationally recognized and accredited education and training to the Business, Engineering, and Maritime sectors. It was licensed by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education under Amiri Decree 141/2003 and commenced operation in October 2004.
The Australian College of Kuwait is the vision of its Chairman, Mr. Abdullah Abdul Mohsen Al Sharhan.

The Private Universities Council (PUC) oversees the operation of ACK from the government’s perspective and has accredited the College to operate as a provider of higher education courses. Initially offering two-year diploma courses, ACK now has PUC approval to offer degree programs as well. A ‘2+2’ course is available whereby students obtain their diploma in two years and can then continue, if they wish, to study for a further two years to obtain their degree. This arrangement is unique in Kuwait.

ACK is a Kuwaiti-owned business which uses a consortium of Arab and Australian management and Australian instructors and operates in partnership with a number of Australian Universities and Institutes to provide vocational education. The Australian College of Kuwait has active partnerships with the University of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Polytechnic, The Western Australian Central Technical and Further Education Institute in Western Australia (WA-Central TAFE) and the Kangan Batman Institute of Technical and Further Education in Victoria.

The College operates from its purpose-built campus in West Mishref, Kuwait, which has been continually expanded and renewed since the first students enrolled in October 2004. It now offers a training facility from which to deliver a wide range of education and training programs. Some of the specialized equipment available to students at ACK includes a ground-based Boeing 737-200 aircraft, aviation test benches and other sophisticated engineering equipment, a 57-foot boat, a marine simulator and computer laboratories with the latest software.

ACK curricula target courses in Business and Engineering with Maritime programs also under consideration. It currently offers two-year full-time Diplomas together with Degrees based on a further two years of full-time study.

A Foundation program focusing on English language proficiency is available for students who need to build basic English skills prior to entering the Diploma course. In addition, a Foundation Year in Business or Engineering is available to prospective students who have completed their 11th year in the British educational system in Kuwait and who need to build mathematics, writing and science skills, as well as learn study skills to ensure their entry and success in their chosen Diploma or Degree program.

The organization and Members of Board of Trustees

The members of the Board of Trustees of the Australian College of Kuwait are drawn from the educational sector and business communities of Kuwait and provide strategic direction and operational guidance for the College. Members of the ACK Board of Trustees are:

• Mr. Abdullah Al-Sharhan (Chairman)
• Mr. Mohammed Al-Rifai (Deputy Chairman)
• Dr. Abdulmohsen Al-Medej
• Mr. Hussain Ali Al-Kharafi
• Mrs. Faten Dawood Al-Bader
• Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Rifai
• Sheikha Hussah Sabah Al-Salem
• Dr. Mohammed Al-Rumaihi
• Mr. Mousa Marafi
• Dr. Usameh El-Jamali
• Mr. Tareq Al-Mutawa
• Mr. Ali Faisal Homoud Al-Khaled

The Board of Trustees meets at least twice a year and also has sub-committees that meet as required. The sub-committees of the Board of Trustees are:

• The Strategy and Development Committee
• The Finance and Audit Committee

Learning system

The Australian College of Kuwait has a unique arrangement that enables graduates of its Diploma and Degree programs to receive two testamurs – one from ACK and one from its auspicing partner in Australia or Canada. The ACK Diploma and Degree testamurs are endorsed by the Private Universities Council and enable graduates to have their qualification recognized by government and businesses in Kuwait. The Diploma and Degree testamurs from the Australian or Canadian auspicing partner are the same as the ones received by graduates in Australia and Canada and are recognized worldwide. ACK is currently the only licensed, private-sector higher education institution offering dual qualifications to all its students enrolled in the Diploma and Degree programs.

From Diploma to Degree

Students initially enroll in a two-year full time Diploma program after which they can choose to leave ACK and commence employment or, if they have achieved the required GPA at the time of graduation with a Diploma, continue for a further two years of full time study and complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Engineering Technology.

The Two plus Two Model
The Australian College of Kuwait offers what it calls the 2 + 2 model of study towards a degree.