University Student Handbook 2023/24

The Division of Student Services stands as the central hub at the International University of Kuwait, dedicated to addressing all matters pertaining to students. It plays a pivotal role in supporting students by offering a range of essential services, including admission, registration, and academic advising. Additionally, the division is committed to enriching the out-of-class experience for IUK students, enhancing their personal development and quality of life through diverse physical activities encompassing sports, artistic pursuits, clubs, and various other offerings.

The Office of the Vice President of Student Services (VPSS) assumes a leadership role, providing supervision and support to several key departments that regularly report to the VPSS. These include:

• Deanship of Admission and Registration
   • One-Stop Center (OSC)
   • Registration and Records Department
• Deanship of Student Affairs
  • Student Life Office (SLO)
  • Office of Student Training and Recruitment
  • Alumni Office

The VPSS, along with the dedicated teams and departments under its purview, is deeply committed to fostering a high-quality, innovative, and respectful university environment for the entire IUK community, encompassing students, parents, faculty, and staff. Specialized support is also extended to students who may encounter challenges along their academic journey, ensuring that every member of the IUK family receives the assistance they need to thrive.

It is necessary that all students meet the general admission requirements to be considered for acceptance into the academic programs offered by IUK. Additionally, specific academic programs may have additional requirements for admission. For instance, candidates with backgrounds in the arts may not be eligible to apply for science or engineering programs.

Moreover, students applying for Private Universities Council (PUC) internal scholarships must fulfill the stipulated requirements set forth by the PUC. It's important to note that IUK, like all private universities in Kuwait, has no control over the administration of PUC scholarships.

All students at IUK bear the responsibility of familiarizing themselves with the academic regulations and policies, degree requirements, and enrolling in courses appropriate for their chosen degree programs. This extends to PUC scholarship recipients, who must also comprehend and adhere to PUC regulations and announcements. The primary source of information for PUC scholarship-related matters is the PUC website (www.puc.edu.kw).
The diverse range of programs offered at IUK aims to equip our students with the skills and competencies necessary to play pivotal roles in Kuwait's advancement across economic, cultural, political, social, and scientific spheres. These programs encompass a wide array of areas of study, providing ample opportunities for academic growth and personal development.

• At IUK, undergraduate admission falls into four distinct categories:
  • Freshmen Students
  • Transferred Students
  • International Students
  • Visiting Students (non-degree)

Admission to IUK is highly competitive, and the eligibility criteria for PUC internal scholarships are set and annually announced by the PUC. Regardless of the type of admission sought, whether for a PUC internal scholarship or individual application, all applicants are required to submit the necessary documents to fulfill the general admission requirements, as detailed in the following sections.

Once the admission process for freshmen students is completed, they will receive their IUK ID cards and email accounts. Freshmen students can register for courses during the specified dates on the University Academic Calendar, guided by their academic advisors. Other students can also register and enroll in their courses during designated registration dates in consultation with their academic advisors.

• Definitions
  • Academic Year: The period during which academic programs are conducted, typically starting in September and ending in May/June.
  • Program: A prospective or registered academic program of study at IUK.
  • University Degree Structure: All IUK degree programs are approved by the Private Universities Council (PUC), and they consist of courses with assigned credits. Each degree program has specific requirements and a credit count for graduation.
  • Course Credit System: IUK follows a credit hour course system, where each credit hour represents the weekly time commitment for a course, usually one teaching hour for theoretical courses and 2-3 hours for practical courses, as specified by College Curriculum Committees.
  • Major Specialization: The principal area of study reflected on a student's diploma upon fulfilling all requirements.
  • Minor Specialization: An additional area of study outside the major, not listed on the diploma but included on the transcript.
  • Academic Course: A course of study taken over one or more full semesters, assigned a specific number of credits.
  • General Education Requirements: Mandatory courses encompassing various academic areas such as natural sciences, communication, humanities, social sciences, Islamic civilization, Kuwait history, and mathematics.
  • Major Requirements: Courses necessary for all students specializing in a specific field, forming the foundational knowledge in that discipline.

• Intra-Term Examinations
  Examinations for undergraduate courses held within the term shall be conducted as per the designated time and day indicated in the class schedule. Any deviation from this policy must receive approval from the Dean of the college and the VPAA. This campus policy applies to all classroom and laboratory examinations.
  If it is known prior to the commencement of the term that examinations will be scheduled at times different from the regular class schedule, and written approval has been obtained, these examinations should be clearly noted in the class schedule.
  Furthermore, recognizing the needs and commitments of students within and beyond the university, in cases where examinations are scheduled at times other than the regular class schedule with prior written approval, students should be provided with written notification (e.g., included in the course syllabus) during the drop/add period for the term.

•  Final Examinations
  If conducted, final examinations shall be held in accordance with the official university class schedule, adhering to the designated date and time.
  During the 14 calendar days leading up to the examination period of each term or the five calendar days preceding the examination period of each summer session, instructors should refrain from assigning previously unscheduled work in the form of tests, papers, or reports.
  No mandatory undergraduate class meetings shall be convened after the conclusion of the last day of regular classes, except for the purpose of conducting final examinations. Furthermore, no final examinations shall be scheduled during the designated reading period.

At the IUK, the Division of Academic Affairs consists of all the areas related to the colleges, academic programs, research and teaching, and the faculty members. The division is led by the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), where the main objective is promoting and providing students and staff with the best educational environment.

The Office of VPAA provides guidance and support for the IUK faculty members and support over academic programs. In cooperation with other departments in the university, the VPAA supervises the faculty hiring and work closely with the president, deans, associate deans, Head of Departments, and faculty senates. The VPAA also supervises the Research Development Office, Faculty professional development, Library Services, and promotes the “Technology Enhanced Learning” environment. The VPAA primary responsibility is to ensure high-quality and continuous improvement of the academic programs and guiding the university toward achieving its mission.