The American University in Dubai (AUD) (Arabic: الجامعة الأمريكية في دبي‎) is a private, non-sectarian institution of higher learning in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, founded in 1995. AUD was founded in 1995 as a branch campus of the American InterContinental University in Atlanta, Georgia, but turned into a private, non-sectarian institution in 2007. AUD is accredited regionally as a separate unit by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. AUD serves UAE nationals and international students from all over the world and offer them world-class career-oriented education. The University has both US and UAE accreditation for all of its programs. AUD prides itself for being the first University outside the United States and Latin America to be directly accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. American University in Dubai is not affiliated with American University in Washington, D.C. The University is organized into Schools and Departments: The American University in Dubai is situated next to Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City, and the Palm Islands.