FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Any accredited training program is recognized whether it is offered by the university or by an approved external institution, provided that the issuing body is officially accredited and the certificate is duly stamped or properly authenticated.

A Visiting Professor is an international academic who contributes to the institution’s academic activities during the ranking year. These contributions may include supervising research groups, providing scientific consultations, organizing or delivering training courses, giving public lectures, teaching intensive courses, or engaging in other scholarly activities that enhance the institution’s academic and research mission.

It is not mandatory to submit both options. What is essential is that the evidence is submitted in a in an officially approved and signed format by the university president. The evidence may be presented in one of two ways: either by through an official letter that includes the evidence (e.g., an Excel file), or by uploading each piece of evidence separately, provided that each document is individually signed and approved by the university president.

The number of students in the ranking year refers to the total enrollment at the university during that year, including both undergraduate and postgraduate students (master’s and doctoral levels).

This criterion includes all award recipients, whether they are faculty members, graduates, or currently enrolled students. Verified evidence must be provided for each case, clearly stating the recipient’s name, the name of the award, and the year it was received.

Student exchange refers to the participation of university students in academic or training programs at other academic institutions, either within the country or abroad, for a specified period, as part of formal academic cooperation agreements. A direct or reciprocal exchange (i.e., one student for another) is not required. It is sufficient that students participate in accredited academic or training activities at partner institutions.

Faculty exchange refers to the participation of university faculty members in academic or scientific activities with other institutions, whether locally or internationally, for a specified period. These activities may involve teaching, conducting research, training, or academic supervision, and are conducted within the framework of academic cooperation agreements. A direct (one-for-one) exchange is not required; it is sufficient that the agreed upon academic objectives between the partnering institutions are fulfilled.

International students are individuals who have a nationality different from that of the country where the university is located and are enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate programs at the university. To be classified as international students, they must reside in the host country for the entire duration of their academic studies

• For faculty members and assistant staff in the first question of the first criterion, the measurement is based on Full-Time Equivalent (FTE), which includes:
  • The number of full-time faculty and assistant staff who are appointed, seconded, or fully assigned to the institution during the ranking year.
  • The number of part-time faculty and assistant staff engaged during the ranking year.
• The FTE is calculated using the following formula:
  FTE = Number of full-time staff + (Number of part-time staff ÷ 3)
• For the number of students, the measurement is based on Head Count (H.C.), which refers to the actual number of students enrolled at the university during the ranking year.

The term "assistant staff" refers to all individuals in this category without exception, including those involved in teaching as well as those engaged in academic or research-related tasks

Yes, "international faculty members" refers to professors of foreign nationalities who are contracted by the university for a period exceeding one year. This includes all academic ranks specified in the university’s official regulations. 

Questions related to Scopus and SciVal will be addressed by the technical team and the steering committee of the Arab University Rankings.