New Initiatives Strengthen Academic Programming in Prague

As we gear up for another semester, we wanted to take this moment to share with you some exciting developments underway at our CEA Global Alliance with Anglo-American University in Prague. As you know, the Global Alliance model has allowed American students since 2006 to seamlessly integrate into an international learning environment, while aligning their studies with the academic needs and structures of their home universities. At AAU, U.S. students attend classes taught in English, and alongside other Czech national and international students.

Contributing to that alliance is CEA’s Academic Dean in Prague, Dr. William H. Barnard, who has extensive academic leadership experience in Prague managing academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Dr. Barnard has been working with AAU over the past few months to enhance our students' and sending universities' study abroad experiences in the Czech Republic. Some of these new initiatives have already been accomplished:

• Long-range semester planning, including the provision of schedules and course descriptions online through CEA's Web site to assist students in course approvals and transfer of credit
• Improved transcripts including standardized text explaining the grading and credit system used and information on AAU’s accreditation by the Czech Ministry of Education
• An improved grade dispute form and procedure, making it easier for students to use even after they've returned to their home campus
• More intensive and structured feedback on teaching and teaching faculty

By combining the strengths and experience of CEA’s Academic Team with that of institutions rooted in integrity and the local culture – like AAU – we're able to offer programs that we believe serve as a model for U.S.-international higher education. Dr. Barnard's work with AAU on these initiatives and more reflects that academic philosophy.

AAU has a more than 20 year history of excellence in offering accredited Bachelor's and Master's degree programs through five schools: Business Administration, Humanities & Social Sciences, International Relations & Diplomacy, Journalism, and Law. AAU offers more than 100 different courses each semester, and uses the U.S. grading and semester credit system. Its syllabi and teaching style also are tailored to U.S. standards.

CEA’s Academic Dean in Prague, Dr. Barnard, works closely with AAU’s Provost and Deans to ensure that academic standards and practices hew closely to U.S. standards. In just a short time, this close collaboration has borne fruit – significant innovations in practice at AAU and a clear path forward for the future.

Examples include:

• An extensive review and update of AAU's Academic Policies and Procedures, to be included in the Student Handbook and Faculty Handbook for AY 2010/2011
• Establishment of an External Certification in Language Courses for interested students and legally valid for certain purposes in the Czech Republic and EU
• A more robust, standard Internal Assessment giving a semester "snap shot" of key academic information and indicators to serve as a benchmark for development
• Participation in U.S.-Based Surveys in the upcoming academic year to provide a clear comparison to U.S. universities

We hope you take a moment to explore some of these important milestones for AAU on CEA’s Web site and their significant impact on the Global Alliance with CEA Global Education. If you’re interested in speaking with Will, either via telephone, e-mail or WebEx, please contact our University Services team at 1-877-449-2775. Will also is available to meet with you on site if you plan to be visit Prague in the coming year.

Wishing you well this new school year,

CEA Global Education

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