Officials with the American University of Bahrain and California State University, Northridge have announced an academic partnership. Photo by Lee Choo.

Officials with the American University of Bahrain (AUBH), the first comprehensive, purpose-built, American-style university in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and California State University, Northridge have announced an academic partnership.

Under the terms of the partnership, AUBH students will have access to a curriculum focused on academic success that will open the door for careers in the regional and global marketplace, opportunities to study abroad and a pathway to finish their studies in California. CSUN students will have an opportunity to study in Bahrain. Officials at both institutions also are in the process of developing opportunities for visiting professorships, industry collaborations, and internship opportunities between Bahrain and the United States.

“CSUN educates more international students than nearly any other master’s university,” said CSUN President Erika D. Beck. “Having a diverse, international student body enriches the student experience and is a hallmark of a CSUN education. This partnership is a true win-win as it will bring highly qualified students into our academic community and in turn deliver a world class education for AUBH students.”

Founding AUBH President Susan E. Saxton agreed.

“This partnership is an incredible milestone for Bahrain in its continued efforts to elevate the quality of education in the Kingdom and create new opportunities for the next generation of local and international students to experience a world-class higher education.” Saxton said.

AUBH is collaborating with CSUN to align its high-quality curricula and create opportunities for students to experience a broad range of new programs and international experiences, including attending summer programs in California, and receiving a CSUN degree through completing one, two or three years of coursework enrolled at CSUN. CSUN students also will have an opportunity to study at AUBH.

AUBH embraces a unique approach to learning, giving students access to real world scenarios and practical, case-based lessons. AUBH is adopting the latest in learning technology, library, labs and sports center facilities, and strives to keep its vibrant campus bustling with academic and extra-curricular life among its multi-cultural student body.

AUBH is the first comprehensive, purpose-built, American-style co-educational University in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Founded by the Elm Fund, an education platform established by Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, AUBH currently includes a College of Business & Management, College of Engineering, and College of Architecture and Design and is situated in an innovative, high-tech 75,000 square meter campus in Riffa, Bahrain.

The University’s mission is to provide the students of Bahrain and the international community opportunities to realize their professional and personal goals through a rigorous and engaging student centric environment that is conducive to learning and fostering creativity in a multicultural setting. American University of Bahrain fosters a community that embraces diversity and is committed to the ideals of intellectual inquiry, ethical behavior and social and civic responsibility. AUBH’s aim is to produce career-oriented graduates equipped with the skills and knowledge required to advance the economies and societies within which they operate.

AUBH is licensed by the Higher Education Council of the Ministry of Education of Bahrain. On June 3, 2021, a WSCUC panel reviewed the appropriate Eligibility criteria and determined that the institution is eligible to proceed with an Application for Accreditation. A determination of Eligibility is not a formal status with the WASC Senior College and University Commission, nor does it ensure eventual accreditation. It is a preliminary finding that the institution is potentially accreditable and can proceed within five years of its Eligibility determination to be reviewed for Candidacy or Initial Accreditation status with the Commission.

Located in Los Angeles, CSUN is one of the largest universities in the United States enrolling nearly 40,000 full- and part-time students in Fall 2020. It consists of nine colleges: the Mike Curb College of Art, Media, and Communication; David Nazarian College of Business and Economics; Michael D. Eisner College of Education; College of Engineering and Computer Science; College of Health and Human Development; College of Humanities; College of Science and Mathematics; College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; and the Tseng College for Graduate, International and Midcareer Education.

Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), CSUN employs more than 2,000 faculty members teaching courses across 69 disciplines, master’s degrees in 69 fields and three doctorates. In addition, CSUN has many discipline- and field-specific accreditations. CSUN is widely recognized for impacting the lives of students and preparing them for leadership roles.

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