SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates — September 30, 2025
The College of Music at the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA) is proud to announce its acceptance as an associate member of the Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies de Musique et Musikhochschulen (AEC) – the leading European network for higher music education, funded by the European Union.
This significant recognition places SPAA among an elite group of institutions globally and marks a historic milestone as the first institution in the United Arab Emirates – and one of the very few in the Arab world – to be welcomed into the AEC network.
The AEC represents the highest standards in music education across Europe and beyond. Full membership is reserved for the most distinguished institutions within Europe, while associate membership is selectively granted to exceptional non-European institutions that demonstrate a commitment to excellence, innovation, and international collaboration in music education.
“Our acceptance into the AEC is not only a great honour, but also a powerful affirmation of our commitment to excellence in music education,” said Dr Alexandros Spyrou, Dean of the College of Music. “It reflects our ambition to position the UAE as a hub for world-class artistic training, and to give our students access to the highest international standards and opportunities in the field of music.”
By joining the AEC, the College of Music at SPAA will benefit from a wealth of collaborative opportunities, academic exchange, benchmarking with leading institutions, and access to policy developments shaping the future of music education globally.
For more information or to apply, please visit: www.spaa.ae