World

Swiss International University Granted TAG-EDUQA Accreditation Under AROQA Quality Framework

Published

7 months ago

June 22, 2025

Swiss International University (SIU), an institution of higher learning that is recognized internationally for its unique strategies in teaching, is pleased to announce its provisional recognition with TAG-EDUQA. This award belongs to a small number of universities that have achieved the high level of academic quality required by the Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education (AROQA). The milestone supports SIU’s mission to provide affordable, high-quality education to students in the United States and around the world.

The accreditation was headed by HH Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, the distinguished Arab business figure and a leading reformer in education, who is also the chairman of TAG-EDUQA. Further elevating the importance of accreditation news, the Secretary-General of the Arab League is Honorary President of TAG-EDUQA, indicating the regional and global recognition of this accreditation.

This achievement demonstrates SIU’s commitment to academic quality, value, and the experience of students. It is a major move in the university’s strategic vision to expand its footprint throughout the Arab region and in the wider world of education. The accreditation by TAG-EDUQA is a testament to the academic integrity of the programs at SIU, and it will further internationalize the recognition of the degrees and diplomas offered by the university.

Derya Briand, Academic Program Director at SIU, is delighted: “This successful outcome, at the first attempt, is an outstanding achievement, surpassing our expectations. It supports the high academic standards that we have now, and it ensures that the next generation of students will receive the benefit of that quality. Our ongoing pursuit of TAG-EDUQA accreditation also demonstrates our commitment to being part of a global community while integrating the values and ideals of local educational institutions.”

The accreditation is a key element of SIU’s strategy to develop academic programs at the University and establish valued international partnerships. The university is a key member of an international education alliance championing cross-border academic collaboration. SIU collaborates with some renowned institutions, like the OUS International Academy, Zurich ISBM International Business Management School, Lucerne International Vocational Institute, Dubai ISB, and their own campuses in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. These partners are working to form a new educational model centered around inclusiveness, academic success, and multiculturalism.

The accreditation of SIU exemplifies how universities can balance the demands of local and international academic aspirations, especially given the growing importance of quality assurance in Arab higher education. As more Arab students actively search for internationally accredited institutions around the world, SIU’s commitment to student-centric learning, ethical leadership development, and international career preparation has received tremendous backing from accrediting bodies and education pioneers.

Moving forward, SIU is dedicated to improving its academic standing, increasing its global presence, and continuing to provide affordable, high-quality education to students around the world. The TAG-EDUQA Accreditation, stemming from AROQA’s stringent quality guidelines, will significantly contribute to these aspirations and enhance SIU’s position in the international academic landscape.

This success represents a ringing endorsement of SIU’s leadership in contemporary education and our continued commitment to providing cutting-edge, relevant, and forward-looking academic programs that meet both local and global needs.

For more information, please visit the official website at www.swissuniversity.com.

World

More Named Storms — Is Your Luxury Pergola Ready?

Published

4 weeks ago

December 11, 2025

Jenny Jackson

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted a 60% chance that the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season would be above normal. The administration said to watch for between 13 and 19 total named storms — those with winds of 39 mph or higher.

For homeowners in hurricane-prone regions, this raises an urgent question: are your outdoor spaces ready to weather the storm?

PERGOLUX, a leader in durable outdoor structures, designs powder-coated aluminum pergolas with adjustable louvers to withstand the harshest environments.

“Today’s outdoor living spaces face the wrath of nature’s extremes,” says Tim Heneveld, Country Director of PERGOLUX North America. “Hurricanes, tropical storms, and flash floods bring powerful winds exceeding 100 mph. Their relentless rain and rising floodwaters can quickly devastate unprepared structures. If you want to protect your investments, resilient design is essential.”

Is your aluminum pergola and louvered roof ready to take on intense storms?

The open-air elegance of patio pergolas with slat roofs is perfect for a gentle breeze, but can make them vulnerable to the violent forces of hurricane winds. These storm winds pack powerful uplift and lateral forces.

Wind uplift occurs when gusts of wind flow beneath the roof, generating upward pressure that can lift the entire structure off its base. Lateral forces push a pergola horizontally, causing it to lean or even collapse.

The key defense against these powerful forces? A reinforced frame.

“Strong, well-engineered frames act as the backbone of your pergola,” notes Heneveld. “Aluminum is the ideal material for a pergola’s frame. It combines the strength needed to resist bending or breaking with a lighter weight that reduces strain on the foundation.”

PERGOLUX’s pergolas feature reinforced frames engineered to withstand intense storms with confidence. In fact, their latest model, the Skydance Series 3 Pergola, is specially crafted to endure winds up to 165 mph, which means that even when fierce hurricanes like Milton sweep through, these pergolas remain intact.

Reinforced aluminum frames designed with thickened beams and precision connections stand up to wind uplift and lateral pressure. Hurricane-rated bolts, brackets, and screws hold everything tightly together to prevent ‌weak points that storms so often exploit. When each joint is reinforced and well-anchored, your pergola can remain a steadfast retreat despite the wildest weather. Thicker beams and columns combined with robust engineering techniques give these pergolas superior strength. Extra support brackets, hidden fasteners, and precise assembly methods ensure the frame endures.

Elevated bases can protect your luxury pergola from floods

Along with high winds, storms bring torrential rain. Rising water can undermine structural footings and rot wooden materials, which can destabilize the entire installation.

An elevated base is a strategic line of defense. “By constructing your pergola on raised concrete footings or piers, you create a gap between the ground and the structure,” notes Heneveld. “During a flood, it keeps the water at bay. The elevation also prevents erosion caused by pooling rainwater.”

The best-quality outdoor pergolas offer high-grade materials and cutting-edge engineering

The key element of any storm-ready outdoor structure is its materials. PERGOLUX chooses 6063-T5 aluminum, a marine-grade alloy renowned for its incredible strength and exceptional resistance to corrosion, even when exposed to salty sea air and humid conditions.

“A wooden or vinyl pergola may look great at first,” says Heneveld, “but they often require costly upkeep or replacement after just a few seasons of storm damage. Our reinforced aluminum pergolas will give you years of worry-free durability. It will remain strong and look fantastic, no matter the weather.”

PERGOLUX’s advanced engineering solutions also protect what is inside the structure. Their patented RainLUX™ integrated gutter system channels rainwater away, preventing leaks that can damage furniture and floors.

“We offer a 10-year warranty to back up all of our claims,” Heneveld says. “It’s our commitment that these structures will protect your home’s exterior environment for years to come. We want you to focus on enjoying the moments that matter in your pergola, not on the coming storms.”

Practical outdoor living tips to prepare your louvered pergola kit before storm season

Even the strongest pergola will fare better when prepped for a coming storm. “Make sure to secure your loose items,” Heneveld warns. “Before a storm, remove furniture, planters, and décor. All of these can become hazardous projectiles.”

When homeowners hear that a storm is on the way, they will want to fully secure any screens or panels. Removing detachable panels before severe weather will help protect the pergola by reducing wind resistance.

Homeowners will want to take the time to routinely inspect and maintain their pergolas. A quick check for loose fasteners or other small signs of wear goes a long way in preserving the pergola’s strength.

“Combine simple preparation with a reinforced, elevated, and expertly engineered structure, and you’ll have an outdoor space built to last,” Heneveld concludes. “Investing in a storm-ready pergola is about so much more than just avoiding damage. You’re preserving a lifestyle. A long-lasting pergola will bring you years of shaded summer barbecues and fresh-air morning coffees.”