Founded in 1995, the American University of Dubai (AUD) is the first university in the Middle East to obtain American education certification, and it is also a non-religious private institution of higher learning. There are more than 2,800 students from 94 countries. Its business administration, arts and journalism majors are among the best in the Middle East, and its bachelor's and master's degrees have been certified by the Higher Education Committee of Southern University Alliance, the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and the UAE Scientific Research Center.