JEDDAH, 24 March 2008 — The Jeddah Community College (JCC) signed a landmark agreement with the Louisiana Community & Technical College System (LCTCS) yesterday, opening a new era in the history of the college. Professor Ibrahim Kutbi, dean of JCC, which is one of the colleges of King Abdulaziz University (KAU), said the agreement that includes an exchange of faculty would lead to improving the college’s overall performance.
Dr. Abdul Ilah Saaty, vice dean, said the accord covered academic assessment and accreditation, joint degree programs, faculty development through workshops and laying the foundation for distance learning. “We’ll benefit from the expertise and capabilities of 10 US community colleges in Louisiana,” Saaty told Arab News.
Dr. Ahmed Nagadi, vice president of KAU, and Dr. Joe D. May, president of LCTCS, signed the accord.
JCC, which is located off the Ring Road in the Rehab district, offers academic and professional programs in business and information, technologies and health science streams. There are more than 1,000 students on its rolls. The accord augurs well for its new partnership with leading companies such as Saudi Electricity, SABIC, Riyadh House, Savola, Dallah and Saudi Binladen Group, providing intensive training courses for their employees.
Distance learning is another important part of the agreement as students and teachers at the college will be given access to the American colleges’ electronic library, Saaty said. They will also be allowed to follow lectures at these colleges via the Internet.
Spelling out other benefits of the agreement, Saaty said: “It will help our college make use of LCTCS’ educational programs and establish an electronic library. Staff members at American colleges will come to lecture at our college. Our students will also learn new subjects that are taught at American colleges.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, May underlined the similarities of the two organizations, adding that students and faculties of both sides would benefit from the accord. He commended the infrastructure facilities and learning atmosphere at the Jeddah college. “The community college in the United States has a history of more than 100 years,” May said.
“We re-train people who are changing jobs or those who have lost their jobs and need new skills,” the LCTCS chief said in his presentation. More than 53,000 students are currently enrolled in LCTCS colleges and the organization plans to increase the capacity to 160,000.
LCTCS colleges have been actively involved in the reconstruction in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina devastated many parts of the state.
Dr. Jim Henderson, vice president of LCTCS, said Louisiana colleges have been offering a variety of academic programs required by the public.
