The creation of the Arab Open University (AOU) came as a personal initiative by HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdulaziz, President of the Arab Gulf Programme for United Nations Development Organizations (AGFUND). Although roots of the concept go back to 1976, a more formal call was made by HRH Prince Talal in 1996.
Following a feasibility study and a subsequent standing collaboration with the United Kingdom Open University, the AOU was established under the umbrella of the AGFUND. It has, since then, been adopted, in principle, as an Arab private institution of higher education with a special status.
As a result of continued coordination with the Arab Ministers of Higher Education, nine Arab countries offered to approve the establishment of branches of the AOU, five of which offered certain facilities and privileges for hosting the AOU Headquarters.
On December 9, 2000, HRH Prince Talal Bin Abdulaziz announced the choice of Kuwait as the Headquarters for the AOU. Subsequently, on January 9, 2001, HRH Prince Talal signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Kuwait for said purpose, thereby, paving the way for a formal Headquarters' agreement.
Furthermore, it has been agreed with the hosting Arab states to have the AOU operate as a licensed institution of Higher Education, and hence, the AOU intends to meet the national criteria of accreditation in each of these states.
AOU Branches
The AOU currently has 7 branches in 7 Arab countries. There are plans to spread the good practices of open learning to the rest of the Arab world. All 7 branches received international accreditation from the OUVS. Furthermore, each branch received local accreditation from its corresponding accreditation authorities.
