Establishment

• The School of Management Studies [previously known as the School of Organizational Management] was established in 1977 awarding a Diploma after completing four-years.
• In 1984 the School started awarding the B.Sc. degree.
• In 1991 a five – year program in management studies started to be offered by the end of which students were awarded the B.Sc degree with honor in one of the following specializations:

-Accounting and Finance
-Business Administration
-Office Management

•In 2006 a new specialization “Management Information Systems (MIS)” was introduced to replace “Office Management” specialization , in response to the local and global labor market demand and to produce competent graduates. The first batch of the MIS students will graduate in 2010/2011

•The school provides educational services to approximately 2000 undergraduate students on average annually.

•In 2005 the school started to prepare for post graduate studies and launched A Master in Business Administration [MBA] Program in July 2006,   a Master program in Microfinance and development (MMFD), and a Ph.D in Business administration that started in 2009.

The School Vision and Mission

Vision: is to achieve excellence in management education, training and  research, and  to graduate well – equipped, qualified, creative and effective female managers  to contribute in the development and management of business enterprises in different  sectors.

Mission: To provide contemporary management approaches, techniques and innovative skills in career-oriented educational programs that enhance students’ skills and competencies relevant to real business world and the needs of globally competitive markets.

Aim of School

General Aim of The School:
To provide a supportive learning environment, characterized by a highly relevant contemporary curriculum and advanced innovative and instructive methods.

School Specific Objectives

The school aims to:
-equip students with the basic knowledge and modern approaches to management.
-provide students with the skills of using management information systems and electronic aids to acquire competencies in the labor market.
-develop students’ analytical abilities through the use of advanced managerial techniques to enhance decision making.
-expose students to real work settings through training periods to experience management practices, to acquire new capacities, to develop potential critical thinking and to be competent in the local and global  labor markets.

The Undergraduate Program

The program is multi-disciplinary, offering core, supportive and specialized courses.  Generally, it focuses on Management Studies, Business Administration, Accounting & Finance, Economics, and Computer Sciences and other related courses. The curriculum also includes other university required courses such as languages (English and Arabic), Mathematics, Behavioural Sciences, Gender and Development, Rural Extension, Population Education and environmental studies. 
In addition, special attention is given to upgrading students’ skills in computer operations and the use of management information systems in all specializations.

School of Management Studies

Management Information Systems (MIS) Major

Management Information Systems (MIS) is one of the three areas in which the students of the school major. It is a new specialization that has great demand in the labour market.

The MIS major provides students up-to-date knowledge in MIS practice to graduate competent and innovative cadres of high caliber in the field of information systems to meet the demand of the industry.

After completing the freshman year (semester one and two), students are promoted to second year where they study all courses of semester three and four commonly with their colleagues. The MIS major starts in semester five.  Students are well oriented about the MIS major (its courses, employment chances and the criteria for selection) in semester four.  Application forms are then distributed to students who are interested to join. Students are selected on scoring an average of 70% or more in specific courses in relevance, from the first four semesters.

School of Management Studies

Accounting and Finance  Major

Accounting and Finance is one of the areas in which the students of the School of Management Studies major. The specialization is well recognized and needed in the labor market .

The students start their major in this area in semester seven after studying six semesters commonly with their colleagues.  Application forms are distributed to students in semester six after been oriented about the specialization and its opportunities for their future career. To be selected the students should score an average of 70% or more in specific courses in relevance, from the first six semesters.

The Accounting and Finance major is accredited by the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants of U.K [ACCA] since 2000, according to which the students who graduates with this major are exempted from Part One of the ACCA exams which includes four papers.

School of Management Studies

Accounting and Finance Major

Accounting and Finance is one of the areas in which the students of the School of Management Studies major. The specialization is well recognized and needed in the labor market.

The students starts their major in this area in semester seven after studying six semesters commonly with their colleagues.  Application forms are distributed to students in semester six after been oriented about the specialization and its opportunities for their future career. To be selected the students should score an average of 70% or more in specific courses in relevance, from the first six semesters.

The Accounting and Finance major is accredited by the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants of U.K [ACCA] since 2000, according to which the students who  graduates with this major are exempted from Part One of the ACCA exams which includes four papers.

School of Management Studies

Management Information Systems (MIS) Major

Management Information Systems (MIS) is one of the three areas in which the students of the school major. It is a new specialization that has great demand in the labor market.

The MIS major provides students up-to-date knowledge in MIS practice to graduate competent and innovative cadres of high caliber in the field of information systems to meet the demand of the industry.

After completing the freshman year (semester one and two), students are promoted to second year where they study all courses of semester three and four commonly with their colleagues. The MIS major starts in semester five.  Students are well oriented about the MIS major (its courses, employment chances and the criteria for selection) in semester four.  Application forms are then distributed to students who are interested to join. Students are selected on scoring an average of 70% or more in specific courses in relevance, from the first four semesters.

The Post-graduate Program

The school offers three post graduate programs:

1. Master in Business Administration (MBA).  The program started in July 2006. And the first batch graduated in April 2008 It is by courses covering a period of two academic years [four semesters]. However, Students with Business Administration background who graduated with Distinction or Very Good are admitted directly to Semester three.
2. Master of Microfinance and Development (MMFD).  It started in Dec 2008. The study covers three semesters. The first Batch graduated in Dec 2010.
3. A program of Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Administration was launched in the academic year 2008/2009.

The Training Programs

The School of Management Studies provides specialized and tailored training programs for private,    governmental and non-governmental organizations. 
It offers training services in the field of Business Administration, Marketing Management Skills, Leadership, Management Information Systems, Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, Economic Development, Project Management, SMEs, Good Governor, Total Quality Management, Electronic Business...etc.

Objectives of the Training Programs
1. To participate in capacity building and development of the community through the provision of educational and training services at the individual and institutional levels.
2. To enhance out-reach of the School with other institutions and organizations to achieve university objectives both academically and in work institutions.
3. To upgrade managerial skills of employees in different sectors and train them on professional and advanced management techniques and practices.

Objectives of the Training Program

1. To participate in capacity building and development of the community through the provision of educational and training services at the individual and institutional levels.
2. To enhance out-reach of the School with other institutions and organizations to achieve university objectives both academically and in the work fields.
3. To upgrade managerial skills of employees in different sectors and train them on modern management techniques and practices.

Library and Learning Aids

With respect to library resources for students’ learning, Alhafeed Library (AUW) provides satisfactory services for both students and staff in terms of text books and references, beside the availability of specialized periodicals.  Up-to-date prescriptions are available as well as computerized library system.  The library provides a comfortable environment for studying, beside facilitating acquiring knowledge in all branches of sciences for learning and research.

Teaching and Assessment Methods

• English is the basic medium of instruction in Ahfad University.
• Lectures and seminars are the major educational means used in teaching.
• Group discussions, case studies, and problem-solving techniques are also used according to the nature of each subject to enhance self-learning skills, and to develop students’ academic skills and capacities through critical and analytical discussions, brainstorming and presentations.
• Beside the traditional teaching aids, multi-media projectors are also used.
• Continuous assessment is undertaken beside the final evaluation in all courses

Students’ Training and Research

Students’ Training
Students are exposed to work experiences in various enterprises twice during their study period in summer vacations.   This enables them to link between the theories they learn and the practical application in real life.  Besides it is beneficial for both their career development.

Students’ Research
Fifth year students are required to conduct research projects in partial fulfillment for awarding the B.Sc. degree.  The school graduates conduct about 100 research studies on average annually in different areas related to Management, MIS, Accounting and Finance, as well as women empowerment, and development areas under.

The School Academic Calendar

The school strictly follows the University calendar which is well-established and realistic including, semester planning, holidays and other annual events.  The academic year (July – April)  is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each.  Final evaluation sessions are held at the end of each semester with a mid-term holiday of one month in November.

The School International Recognition

The school undergraduate program has been internationally recognized. Graduates of the School of Management Studies get acceptance for Master Degree programs in universities at the United Kingdom, USA, Arab and other European countries.

The School, also, enjoys an international link with the ACCA [Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants of U.K] since 2000, according to which the graduates of ‘Accounting and Finance’ specialization are exempted from Part One of the ACCA exams which includes four papers.

The School Image in the Local Labor Market

The School graduates are well recognized and accepted in private, governmental and non-governmental organizations.
· The school succeeded in establishing good relations with different employers of reputable enterprises in the labor market who offer training opportunities to students.
· Several employment agencies and a list of enterprises d provide job opportunities with excellent offers to school graduates of different specializations.
· Training Feedback reports assure the high competitiveness of the school graduates in work settings been viewed as hard-workers, self-confident, responsible, creative, initiative, and are able to skillfully communicate and clearly express themselves.

Rural Extension, Community Development and Related Activities

The school is well aware of its social responsibility towards the community which it assumes by providing practical knowledge in Population Education, Environmental Studies, Rural Extension and Women and Gender Studies.   Courses of the mentioned areas are taught as university requirements to students throughout the university. 
In relation to these courses students go in fieldtrips to rural areas. Such fieldtrips help students to appreciate how does people live and the difficulties they face and what role they can play in the development of their areas. Therefore, they assist rural people through awareness raising, and assisting them to improve their socio-economic conditions.

Students’ Cultural Activities and Sports

Students are involved in various cultural activities and sports.  AUW caters for developing students’ talents and physical education.  Therefore they are provided enough room to practice different kinds of sports, drama acts, Journalism or to join music groups.  The School participates in different university events that are annually held such as the Graduation Ceremony, the Women’s Week, the World Food Day … etc. It has its own choral, drama groups and sports teams who participate in the competitions that are annually held at the university level with teams of the  schools of  AUW and of other universities.
The Students’ Association at the School of Management Studies is responsible for the organization of the different socio-cultural activities held under the supervision and guidance of the staff members.