Entrance to the University of Sharjah

Since 1999, the Eller College has been assisting the University of Sharjah College of Business in the United Arab Emirates with the development of it's business programs.

His Highness, Shaikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, the Ruler of Sharjah, has made building an outstanding educational system one of the main priorities for his country. He himself holds two Ph.D. degrees from British universities–one in history from the University of Exeter and the second in political geography from the University of Durham.

The University of Sharjah College of Business

He has made substantial investments in the K-12 system in the Emirate of Sharjah and established the first co-educational university in the region, the American University of Sharjah (AUS). At the same time, he founded the University of Sharjah (UOS), which is designed to complement the disciplines of its sister institution with a more traditional Muslim model. Both female and male students are taught the same material and earn the same degrees although segregated by gender in their coursework and residence.

After extensive study, His Highness determined that the American model of business education would be best for his country. Because The University of Arizona has long been involved in the United Arab Emirates, providing technical assistance in agriculture and aquaculture since the 1970s, he turned to the Eller College for assistance.

Economics professor James McBrearty serves as Dean of the University of Sharjah's College of Business and, over the past four years, faculty members have visited Sharjah to teach in a variety of disciplines.

"This partnership is a win-win situation for both institutions. Revenues generated from our agreement with the University of Sharjah provide additional compensation for faculty involved with the program. In addition to providing a rich cultural experience, this venture also supports other priorities within the Eller College," said Dean Mark Zupan.

When the agreement was signed at a meeting in England, His Highness and University of Arizona President Peter Likins agreed "...that this is but another step in cooperative efforts between our two countries and, specifically with this new program, a step in the development of higher education in the United Arab Emirates." The University of Arizona has about 200 alumni in the Emirates, many holding prominent positions in the private and public sectors.

Kurt Fenstermacher, assistant professor of MIS at the Eller College, taught at the University of Sharjah College of Business this past summer and shares his personal story and photographs here.