Culture & Education | Sunday 29 September, 2019 1:47 am |

Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has announced that it has completed a comprehensive modernization and development plan for its libraries in its Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai campuses. The upgraded libraries equip students with the necessary academic resources including books, references, manuals, and technical systems.

Housing more than 360,000 books, ADU's libraries are also home to more than 120,000 periodicals covering diverse areas such as law, engineering, literature, science, healthcare, and education. During the 2018-2019 academic year, ADU libraries were visited more than 210,000 times and more than 60,000 books were borrowed.

The library at ADU's main campus in Abu Dhabi uses the World Digital Library Center, enabling users to manage print and electronic library material through a unified digital system that includes a global catalog of more than 400 libraries around the world.

Omar Abbas, Director of Abu Dhabi University’s library, said, “Our system is user friendly and enables students to search for and find resources easily, while also allowing them to borrow books and request for their renewals through a dedicated portal."

Abbas also confirmed that more than 750 thematic guides related to the subjects offered at the University are being prepared, with the aim to provide a variety of sources of information related to courses. The guides include books, related scientific material, and short films that support the courses. They also contain links to relevant websites to provide students and faculty with broad sources of information.

The library also has subscriptions to several international databases such as ProQuest, Springer, JSTOR, Emerald, and EBSCO, as well as Arabic indices such as Al-Manhal. These include numerous e-books, refereed scientific articles, and conference proceedings. Students can also access ‘UAE Lawyers’, which includes the state’s legislation and regulations.

Abu Dhabi University will open its new campus in Al Ain next year, which will include a 900-square-meter library with a dedicated reading area, a bookstore, four conference rooms, and 10 discussion rooms. The new library will utilize the latest technology and equipment including high-speed computers and 3D printers.

ADU ranks among the most prominent universities in the region in terms of student diversity, with over 82 different nationalities enrolled in its programs. The University offers over 50 undergraduate and postgraduate courses across six colleges. The majority of students are within the College of Engineering, one of the largest engineering colleges in the UAE.

The University recently opened the College of Health Sciences, which currently offers the BSc in Public Health and BSc in Environmental, Health and Safety programs. Applications are being received for three new programs: BSc in Biomedical Sciences (Laboratory Medicine), Molecular and Medical Genetics, and Human Nutrition and Dietetics (pending Accreditation Commission approval).