The Arab Open University (AOU) is a non-profit institution founded through a personal initiative by Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, who also chairs the AOU Board of Trustees. In December 2000, Kuwait was chosen as the headquarters for AOU.
AOU's initial phase commenced in October 2002, with branches established in Kuwait, Lebanon, and Jordan. The year 2003 saw the opening of branches in Bahrain, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. In February 2008, AOU expanded to Oman, followed by the launch of a branch in Sudan in September 2013. In May 2015, AOU signed an agreement to establish a new branch in Palestine, in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education.
AOU collaborates with the Open University, UK, to offer a range of academic programmes taught in English. These programmes encompass undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in fields such as business administration, information technology and computing, graphic and multimedia design, English language and literature, media, education, and more.
AOU's commitment to providing accessible education is reflected in its branch locations across several Arab countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.
