General Education Program

Program Overview

The General Education Program (GEP) at Ajman University is a vital component of tertiary education associated with a range of university requirements intended to lay the ground for students' future progress and development, academically as well as professionally.

The main purpose of the GEP is to enable all students to attain the fundamental broad base of knowledge, skills, and competences that all university-educated adults must have, no matter what their area of specialization is. It is integrated throughout the curricula of Baccalaureate programs and contributes to achieving the Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) as well as core competencies including, but not limited to, written and oral communication, quantitative reasoning, information literacy, and critical thinking.

The GEP at Ajman University seeks to develop students' specific competences pertinent to taking responsibility for their learning, interacting with others, pursuing self-development, and deploying what they have acquired in real-life situations.

Program Vision

Ajman University's General Education Program represents a dynamic and forward-looking curriculum meticulously aligned with the latest Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) reforms and outcome-based evaluation frameworks. This updated program is strategically designed to equip every AU student with essential 21st-century skills, broaden their intellectual horizons through interdisciplinary learning, and seamlessly connect academic concepts with practical, real-world applications.

Addressing Evolving Needs

The contemporary landscape of education and employment is characterized by rapid change. Today's graduates require a skillset that extends beyond traditional subject-specific knowledge. Digital fluency, sustainability awareness, critical-thinking prowess, innovative capacity, and cross-disciplinary understanding are now paramount. Recognizing these evolving demands, AU has proactively redesigned its GEP to directly address these crucial areas while ensuring full alignment with the UAE's national education priorities and the CAA's reform guidelines.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Empower students to achieve competitiveness academically and professionally.
• Equip students with strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to effectively use digital tools and information resources across diverse contexts.
• Provide students with creative, critical, and innovative abilities, and the capacity to work collaboratively in diverse, multidisciplinary, and multicultural settings.
• Raise awareness for ethical and social responsibility.
• Provide understanding of religious and cultural diversity to encourage tolerance.

General Education Learning Outcomes (GE-LOs)

Aligned with the updated 2024 QFEmirates strands—Knowledge, Skills, and Responsibility (Cabinet Resolution No. 106 of 2024), students completing the General Education Program shall be able to:

Mapping of GE-LOs to Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

The following matrix—updated to the 2024 QFEmirates strands—shows how each GE-LO contributes to Ajman University’s Institutional Learning Outcomes.
This mapping will be used to determine the attainment of ILOs (and the five core competencies) based on the attainment of GE-LOs.

(Matrix adapted from the WSCUC submission and revised for QFEmirates 2024.)

Program Structure

The enhanced General Education Program introduces a well-balanced combination of compulsory courses and flexible electives, all strategically designed to cultivate future-ready skills and promote lifelong learning.

Purpose-Driven Electives

To cultivate interdisciplinary learning and facilitate practical application, students will have the opportunity to select elective courses from four key thematic areas. These carefully curated courses are designed to bridge knowledge across diverse disciplines, thereby fostering critical thinking and enhancing real-world problem-solving abilities.

Thematic Areas of Study

• Humanities & Arts: Exploring human expression, cultural nuances, and creativity through courses such as World Literature, Introduction to Art, and Film Studies.
• Natural Sciences: Providing fundamental insights into the physical world and the processes of scientific discovery with offerings like Planet Earth, Science of the Future, and Astronomy.
• Social & Behavioral Sciences: Developing a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and societal dynamics through courses like Leadership and Team Building, Criminology, and Social Responsibility.
• Technology & Quantitative Reasoning: Equipping students with essential digital and analytical skills through electives such as Prompt Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Data Analysis.

Interdisciplinary Learning Requirement

To ensure a well-rounded academic experience that promotes interdisciplinary understanding and intellectual versatility, students are required to complete electives from at least two different thematic areas.

Core Future Skills Embedded

The GEP has been transformed into a platform for impactful learning, where each course actively contributes to building competencies vital for future success:

• Digital and AI Literacy: Foundational exposure to Artificial Intelligence concepts and essential data skills.
• Sustainability and Innovation: Integration of sustainability principles to promote responsible solutions and creative approaches.
• Critical Thinking: Emphasis on analytical reasoning and the application of knowledge to solve real-world problems.
• Communication and Leadership: Courses designed to enhance student confidence, foster teamwork, and promote effective social engagement.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Encouraging innovative ideas, initiative, and thinking beyond the traditional classroom setting.

Courses and Credit Hours

1. Compulsory Courses (21 Credit Hours)

2. Free Electives (9 Credit Hours)

Students must select two courses from different thematic areas to ensure interdisciplinary exposure. Program-specific restrictions will apply (e.g., IT Fundamentals cannot be taken by Computer Science or Engineering students).

1. Humanities and Arts
   Introduction to Art (ART111), Conversational French (FRE211), History and Philosophy of Science (HPS111), Human Rights (LAW106), Islamic Culture (ISL114), World Literature (WLT115), Introduction to Film Studies (COM103)
2. Natural Sciences
   General Physics (PHY111), General Chemistry (CHM111), General Biology (BIO111), The Science of the Future (FUT101), Astronomy (AST211), Science of Energy and Global Environment (ENV113), Physics for Daily Life (Arabic) (PHY113), Planet Earth (GEO102), Research Methodology (RES211), First Aid (AID111)
3. Social and Behavioural Sciences
   General Psychology (PSY111), Introduction to Criminology (CRM101), Work Ethics (LAW112), Leadership and Team Building (LED111), Media Culture (COM102), Social Responsibility (SSW111)
4. Quantitative and Technology
   Principle of Mathematics (MTH111), Calculus I (MTH112), IT Fundamentals (COM111), Basic Programming (INT104), Introduction to Information System (INF212), Prompt Engineering (INT111), Quantitative Methods for Decision-Making (QMD101), Foundations of Cybersecurity (INT110), Introduction to Data Analysis (STA113), General Statistics (STA114)

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Ajman University embeds hands-on learning and civic engagement opportunities within its General Education courses. Through initiatives such as research-based projects, sustainability campaigns, and leadership simulations, students are empowered to translate theoretical knowledge into practical action:

Innovation & Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Students develop and pitch innovative solutions to address real-world environmental challenges.

• Public Speaking: Interactive presentations focused on community-based topics, fostering communication skills and civic awareness.
• Planet Earth: Field experiences and citizen-science elements provide first-hand engagement with environmental concepts.
• AI and Cybersecurity: Practical exercises and simulations build understanding of AI applications and cybersecurity threats.
• Future Science: Hands-on experiments and exploration of emerging scientific fields allow students to experience cutting-edge research methodologies.
• Criminology: Mock crime scene analyses and professional engagement provide practical insights into the justice system.
• Film Studies: Short film projects and filmmaking workshops provide experience in visual storytelling and media production.

Comprehensive Support for Learners

Ajman University offers enhanced English-proficiency support for students who require assistance with academic writing or communication skills. This includes remedial pathways, dedicated writing labs, and personalized coaching.

Faculty members participate in ongoing professional development sessions focused on aligning teaching methodologies with outcome-based learning models and implementing innovative pedagogies to enhance student engagement.