American academic institutions sign agreement to foster US-style education abroad

The American University of Beirut was one of 18 American universities and colleges from the Middle East, Europe and Central Asia which established a new association grouping academic institutions that are conceived and organized on the American model of higher education.

The Association of American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU) was created during a meeting held at the American University in Cairo on April 10 – 12, 2008, in the presence of the presidents, provosts and chief academic officers representing the 18 signatories.

The association aims to promote American standards of education, cultural exchange and research and development.

It also hopes to bridge cultures and foster dialogue among nations within the framework of the American liberal arts tradition.

Moreover, it will monitor standards of American-style education at a time when many institutions claiming to follow US standards of education are proliferating.