MEEC Announces Increased Credit Hours Requirement for Students
A new regulation recently passed by Middle East Education Council (MEEC) stipulates the need for additional course credits for local, expatriate and transfer students in the Middle East
MEEC recently passed a new law that enforced the implementation of additional credit hours for students studying in all educational institutions across the Middle East, stating it as mandatory for them to complete increased hours for their said courses. Students are now required to earn additional credits to graduate with a degree that is recognized in both, the Middle East and around the world.
The new regulation stipulates that irrespective of the student’s education level, all undergraduate and graduate programs including Associate, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate students are now required to improve their number of credits in order to receive a regionally and internationally recognized degree. The law, passed recently, builds on the progress that various postsecondary institutions have made over the past few years in creating various credit transfer pathways, leading to over 45,000 transfer opportunities for students in the Middle East within the last year.
“This policy change has been under consideration for quite some time,” stated Mark Russell, Co-Chairperson of MEEC working committee. “We are focused on developing a truly comprehensive education system and the new course credit system will give maximum benefit to students who are focused on their studies.”
The implementation of a strong course credit system started from 10th March and is expected to result in the expansion of credit hours across the Middle Eastern and Foreign Based Universities. The new regulation states the course hours to be as follows:
Board Chairwoman Vivian Ward said, “I think that approving additional hours is the direction that we need to go in because for professionals who are excelling, it is going to give them the opportunity to take more classes, while those who are on the borderline will get this chance to step up. We really want them to succeed.”
“The system has switched, requiring more credits from the graduating class of 2014,” stated Raima Husseini, a university student in UAE, “This means more work but acquiring a degree that is accepted locally and internationally is quite a catch! This saves us students from the hassle of going through additional paper work just to get our degree accepted.”
Increase in credit hours is being seen as a positive approach towards maintaining the higher education standard in the region, encouraging students from stepping up and keeping them from resting on their laurels by opting for elective courses. Various universities have received the policy positively, stating it as favorable and in keeping with the quality learning standards.
