Gulf University for Science and Technology

Gulf University for Science and Technology

File:GUST-logo.png
Type	Private
Established	2002
President	Prof.Shuaib Abdullah Shuaib
Location	West Mishref , Kuwait
Campus	Urban
Colors	Blue and Green
Website	gust.edu.kw

Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) is the first private university established in Kuwait. It has a dual-enrollment agreement with the University of Missouri–St. Louis. It is also the first university in the Middle East to implement PeopleSoft's Student Administration System.

Although GUST is accredited by the Kuwait Ministry of higher Education, it is not considered an accredited university by international standards. Students seeking to utilize their degree abroad, for graduate continuation or employment, are strongly encouraged to pursue their degree at an internationally accredited university.

History

The University was to be a supplement to Kuwait University, the only institution of higher education in Kuwait at that time, and to serve the ever-increasing educational demands of the local society and the Gulf region. Its primary purpose was to prepare generations of young leaders and professionals for the demands of a new global technological era. In January 1997, Kuwaiti Academic Group, comprised of 41 faculty members from Kuwait University, was founded to lay the foundation for the proposed “University of the Future.” Their studies culminated in the vision of “Gulf University for Science and Technology.” A strategic partnership was established with the University of Missouri at St. Louis (UMSL), the international counterpart university chosen to help bring the visualization of the projected university to fruition. The development was facilitated and shaped by the Private Universities Decree, No. 34, issued by the State of Kuwait in 2000, resulting in the establishment of a temporary campus with the necessary infrastructure in Hawally. The issuance of Emiri Decree No. 156 in 2002 completed the legal establishment of GUST as the first private university in the State of Kuwait and permitted the start of the first academic year in 2002-2003. During its eight years of operation, GUST has continually improved and expanded its educational and organizational capacities while steadily increasing its enrollments. At its first commencement ceremony in June 2007, GUST conferred diplomas on approximately four hundred graduates, many of whom were eagerly received by the leading business sectors in the state of Kuwait.

Admissions & Registration

Admissions

GUST follows a uniform policy with regard to admitting first-time students. Applicants are reviewed based on high school performance and achievement on the GUST English and Mathematics Placement Tests. Applicants are encouraged to submit the results of a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Test scores must be no more than two years old at the time of application. Students who do not have a valid TOEFL score must take the GUST English Placement Test. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) can no longer be used for admission to GUST.

Admission to GUST is on a competitive basis. Regardless of the type of admission, all applicants must submit all documentation to complete the general admission requirements.

GUST welcomes applications from students of all types of schools and backgrounds. We provide our students with the best educational resources and services to promote intellectual growth and career advancement. From the academic challenges encountered when adjusting to university life to the various campus activities offered for students, GUST has a diverse collection of resources available to help our students succeed both academically and personally.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

GUST follows a uniform policy with regard to admitting first-time students. Applicants are reviewed based on high school performance and achievement on the GUST English and Mathematics Placement Tests.

Applicants are encouraged to submit the results of a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Test scores must be no more than two years old at the time of application. Students who do not have a valid TOEFL score must take the GUST English Placement Test. The IELTS can no longer be used for admission to GUST.

Consultation with a pre-admission advisor is recommended. Placement tests are offered throughout the year, and applicants should contact the Office of Admissions and Registration for more information.

Applicants must submit their completed application, application fee, and all supporting documentation prior to the start of the semester for which they are applying for admission.

• Information Accuracy

Any applicant who knowingly provides inaccurate, misleading or false information or who withholds material information may be denied entry to the University or be requested to withdraw at any time. In the event of false statements, omission of material information, and/or altered or false documentation, GUST reserves the right to determine the appropriate action. This may include dismissal from the University.

• Accepted Certificates

• • Certificates Awarded in Kuwait

Kuwaiti high school (public schools, full-year courses, semester system). High school certificate (private Arabic school or foreign schools: American, English, bilingual and others) approved by the Ministry of Education in Kuwait.

• • Certificates Awarded outside Kuwait

High school certificates from outside Kuwait must be original and authenticated by the originating country. Certificates must be authenticated by the Ministry of Education in Kuwait (Private Education Department).

• • National secondary education certificates from a variety of countries are accepted by GUST. For further information regarding requirements for a specific country, please contact the GUST Office of Admissions and Registration.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Computer Science Degree Requirement

To enter the GUST Computer Science degree program, applicants must have a high school diploma specializing in secondary school science or math curriculum.

If the student has a non-science or non-math high school specialization and wants to register as a Computer Science major, a minimum grade of “B” must be obtained in MATH 1030 (College Algebra). Students who register in another degree program and who do well in College Algebra may be allowed to transfer to the Computer Science program on the recommendation of the Computer Science Head of Department.

Registration

Registration Procedures

The Office of Admissions and Registration is responsible for the admission of students to all colleges of the University. Students accepted by GUST are eligible to register for courses during the dates indicated on the University Academic Calendar. Registration forms are available online. Registration is subject to confirmation that the student has conformed to all University regulations. For example, a student will not be allowed to register with unpaid fees, overdue library books, incomplete admission documentation or an academic disqualification.

Registration Terms and Categories

• Academic Terms/Semesters

The GUST academic year includes the fall and spring semesters. The summer session is optional.

• Class Periods

GUST operates on a five day week from Sunday through Thursday. Timetabling may be based on a five period per-week basis (one hour per day for English) or a three period per-week basis (one hour per day).

• Course Prerequisites

Many courses above the introductory level require a minimum background of knowledge, as indicated by prerequisite courses cited in individual course descriptions.

Registration Types

• Currently-Enrolled Students
• Newly-Admitted Students
• Full-Time Students
• Former Student Re-Admission
• Non-Degree-Seeking Students
• Visiting Students
• Audit Students

Academic Policies & Regulations

Degree Requirements

Academic regulations specifying the course requirements for each degree program are presented by college and type of degree. It is essential that students, in conjunction with an advisor, become familiar with these requirements and monitor their academic progress to ensure all academic requirements are met.

Course Credit Value

GUST operates with a university credit unit consisting of one semester hour which represents a subject pursued for one, two or three periods weekly for one semester. All GUST courses are valued in credit hours that are shown in parentheses after each course title in the course description section.

Class Attendance Policy

The University requires regular and timely attendance at all classes, lectures, studios, laboratory sessions, and seminars. Pursuing one’s education through correspondence or by passing university examinations is not presently permitted.

Academic Services

Scholarships and Student Employment

• Kuwait Ministry of Private Education Scholarships
• GUST Scholarships
• GUST Summer Scholarship (for Study at UMSL)
• Student Employment

Center for Academic Excellence

The Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) at GUST is committed to fostering total student development.

Center for Career Services and Alumni (CCSA)

The Center of Career Services and Alumni provides holistic comprehensive career-planning services to GUST students and alumni. By providing expertise, resources, and support, CCSA empowers students and alumni to build bridges to successful future careers. CCSA aims to help students and alumni make a successful transition from their undergraduate educational environment to employment or further educational pursuits. The programs and services are designed to increase our students’ confidence and provide the necessary skills and information to succeed in the job or graduate school search.

e-Learning

The E-Learning Center [1] of Excellence (ECE) at GUST was developed to initiate the transition of the country toward an e-culture in order to ultimately prepare new generations of young Kuwaitis, both within the GUST community and at a national level, able to cope with and adapt to the demands of the new global knowledge economy.

A. M. Al-Refai Library

A.M.Al-Refai Library provides a learning environment for study that allows for seeking information in a comfortable and user-friendly setting. Well-equipped individual study areas and discussion rooms are provided on the lower level of the Library for women and upper level for men. There is a reader's corner for daily newspapers. Bulletin boards are used in the Library to exhibit notes, internet sites, and announcements to assist Library users in accessing information. Computer stations are available throughout the Library. [2]

Multimedia Educational Unit

The unit is involved in the following activities: Digital imaging, video and audio, screen and interface design, website design, animation, as well as graphic design, including design of brochures, publications, booklets, logos, posters, illustrations and diagrams.

Student Affairs

Office of Student Affairs

By providing all necessary resources and facilities, the goal of the Office of Student Affairs(OSA) is to support the educational and personal development of tudents at GUST and to encourage students’ personal growth. By participating in a wide variety of programs, services and activities, students are able to grow in a nourished environment, developing culturally, emotionally, socially, academically and morally. The OSA is a main source of information regarding University policies and procedures that can affect students’ university lives.

GUST Athletics

Athletic activities and programs at GUST are designed to promote overall student development and wellness, to enrich the student experience, and to build university spirit. Many personal benefits are derived from participation in athletics. Sports activities provide a venue for developing leadership skills, enhancing teamwork and teambuilding abilities, and interacting more comfortably in varied social environments. Furthermore, physical conditioning positively affects the mind and can significantly reduce stress levels.

Currently, GUST offers athletic programs for men and women in the following sports: football, handball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, basketball and squash.

GUST Music Club

The GUST Music Club is composed of a group of talented GUST students who play a variety of instruments including the oud, guitar, tabla, piano, drums, organ and violin. During the past three years, GUST's Music Club has performed different genres of musical pieces including oriental, classical and traditional for the GUST and larger Kuwaiti community. The GUST Music Club also took part in the activities of the Halla February festival and performed at GUST commencement celebrations.

GUST Art Club

Art enriches the life of all individuals. The mission of the GUST Art Club is to enhance students' artistic abilities while cultivating their overall personal development. The GUST Art Club offers a variety of non-credit classes to GUST students with an interest in developing their artistic abilities. Available classes include the following: painting (gauche, water color, acrylic and oil), drawing and painting (on glass, ceramic, silk and wood), sketching, decoupage and more. All classes are given in the North Campus. Required materials and equipment are provided by GUST.

The GUST Art Club also organizes annual on-campus art exhibitions for students and university staff. Additionally, the GUST Art Club has participated in a number of off-campus art exhibitions including the Kuwaiti Art Association Exhibition, the Youth and Sports Ministry Exhibition, Al-Qurain Exhibition and the National Assembly Exhibition.

College of Arts & Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences has five departments:

• Department of Computer Science
• Department of English
• Department of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Department of Mass Communication and Multimedia
• Department Of Mathematics & Natural Sciences

External links

• Official site