Students in the UAE are increasingly looking towards international institutions in the emirates in order to gain a world-class higher education which is more financially viable than expensive study abroad options.
World renowned American universities Michigan State University and New York Institute of Technology have both reported an increase in applications from students who want to split their degrees between the UAE and the USA in order to experience studying abroad in a more economical way.
Representatives from both institutions, along with other leading regional and international universities, will be on hand at NAJAH, the UAE’s comprehensive education, training and careers exhibition, taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 20-22 October 2009.
Education remains a strong focus of the UAE Federal Government. While the sector is a vulnerable target for budget cuts during economically uncertain times, the UAE’s education budget has risen by 12 per cent in 2009, taking up almost a quarter of all spending. As the government reinforces the value of learning, it comes as no surprise that students are increasingly pursuing first-rate higher education options in the UAE.
“Our career oriented degrees offer consistency throughout the world, so a student studying in Abu Dhabi will receive the same quality education as those in our New York, China or Jordan campuses,” said Jan Wallace, Director of Operations and External Affairs at the New York Institute of Technology.
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“A student enrolling in Abu Dhabi will benefit from reduced tuition fees compared to those in our New York campus, but they will still receive the same quality of education as well as the opportunity to spend a semester or a year abroad. Many parents are keen on this structure to take advantage of lower costs of studying in such a financially stable environment as the UAE.”
Michigan State University, which set up its Dubai campus in 2008, provides an opportunity for study at both the Dubai International Academic City and the East Lansing locations. Some applicants plan to study in the UAE for two years followed by two years in the USA or take a semester abroad as part of earning their degree at MSU Dubai.
“They don’t want to close the door on experiencing university overseas, but they appreciate that by waiting a few years, many households’ economic situations will have stabilized and feel more secure,” said Matthew Flaherty, Director of Admissions at Michigan State University Dubai.
“A number of the emirates are now home to university branches from Australia, North America, the United Kingdom and Germany,” said Lucy Clarke, Exhibition Director for NAJAH. “Students in the UAE now have access to higher education degrees in such varied subjects, from accountancy to zoology and everything in between.”
“School leavers and their parents, as well as anyone who wishes to pursue further education in the UAE or abroad, will be able to visit a number of universities at NAJAH to find out what opportunities are available to them and, perhaps most importantly in this climate, how much it will cost.”
For the first time this year, the event will feature a new Education Forum which provides a platform for local and international educators to discuss trends and developments in the education sector. The forum allows students and parents to gain first-hand information from industry experts on topics ranging from studying abroad to gaining internships and much more.
NAJAH is host to several regional and international universities, including Alhosn University, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, University of Wollongong in Dubai and the American University of Sharjah, providing students with the best of both worlds in local and global education.
NAJAH also caters to those in employment and helps them to realise their potential through career advancement and training. The event is used by leading businesses in the region to launch recruitment drives and is also highly valued by training companies, research and development organisations and management consultants.
The popular job profiling sessions and career advice lounge return to the exhibition in 2009, along with free consultations to improve CVs and interview techniques. A series of seminar sessions hosted by industry professionals will help visitors choose the right education or career path. AIESEC’s assessment centre allows students and graduates to gauge skills and consider potential careers that maximize their strengths.
