Education to the United Arab Emirates

(Last updated: 24 Sep 2008)

Trends and opportunities

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government policy on education is progressive, and has the goal of achieving 'Emiratisation' of the workforce. The Ministry of Higher Education believes that it is every citizen's duty to develop his/her skills and qualifications to support the development of the UAE.

The UAE Government provides a fully-fledged educational system from primary level to university, with education for the country’s citizens being provided free through government schools, colleges and universities. There are several thousand students who pursue courses of higher education abroad at government expense.  

Primary and secondary education

Education at the primary and secondary level is universal and compulsory up to the ninth grade for UAE citizens although achievement levels and literacy rates fall well below those achieved in many developed countries. This takes place in a four-tier process, ie. kindergarten (4-5 yrs), primary school (6-11 years), preparatory stages (12-14 years) and secondary schools (15-17 years).

The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), was set up in 2005 by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. It is an independent corporate body, enjoys full legal status as well as financial and administrative independence in all its affairs. The council works closely with the Ministry of Education in formulating Abu Dhabi’s education plan within the framework of the UAE’s general education policy. ADEC which covers primary, secondary, vocational and higher educational sectors has become the prime operational and decision making body within Abu Dhabi.

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai was established in 2006, under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, Ruler of Dubai. It’s aim is to develop the education and human resource sectors and bring them on par with international standards and common best practices, while keeping in mind the requirements of the job market and was initiated to create a UAE knowledge economy. In many ways, KHDA mirrors the role played by ADEC.

Higher education

UAE’s youth have ready access to higher education, both federally-funded and at the many internationally accredited private institutions that are being established throughout the UAE.

The Al Ain based, United Arab Emirates University continues to be the country’s flagship national institution. Zayed University was established to educate national women. These are the two public universities in the UAE.

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) with campuses in most emirates offer a more technically oriented education in well-equipped colleges across the UAE. It has developed a curriculum focused on preparing it’s country’s citizens for careers in business, communications technology, engineering and health sciences.

The Dubai International Academic City and the Dubai Knowledge Village are education free zones dedicated to higher education, enabling international providers to deliver their programs without needing to obtain accreditation from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

A number of public and private organisations provide scholarships for UAE nationals to undertake study in overseas institutions. Scholarships are provided by:

• the Ministry of Higher Education
• the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
• Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
• Etisalat
• the police
• the military
• the Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Foundation

Establishments set up by organisations such as the military, police, Etisalat, aviation authority, etc provide vocational education. Their specific aims are to meet HRD requirements.

Instructors are mainly overseas trained expatriates. The qualifications are usually internationally recognised and course programs tie-in with those offered by universities and colleges in the UK and USA. The Institutes of Applied Technology have recently been established across five campuses in the Emirates to deliver vocational training to unemployed youth. Australian qualifications are being used in a number of these colleges.

Opportunities

For Australian education service providers the specific areas of opportunity in the UAE are:

• Undergraduate business, IT, engineering, telecommunications, education, health and media
• Postgraduate business, IT, engineering, telecommunications, education, health and media
• Corporate training, and purchase of Australian course materials
• Vocational training in marine, fisheries, tourism and hospitality
• English language courses
• Study tours

Competitive environment

UAE nationals place a high value on education provided in-country. There is nevertheless a general perception that qualifications obtained from overseas (USA and UK in particular) are highly prestigious.

With the education sector in the UAE rapidly developing, more students are choosing to study locally for their initial degree, and may choose to go overseas for postgraduate studies or short exchanges.

At the tertiary level, the USA continues to be a favoured destination with Britain ranking second and Australia third. Countries such as Germany, Canada, Switzerland, France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria attract a smaller numbers of students.

A large number of Australian institutions have been visiting the UAE over the past three years. The major drawbacks to increased recruitment to Australia are:

• A lack of awareness among potential students
• The perception that it is too far away
• The comparatively low level of active market promotion in comparison with the USA and UK

A number of overseas institutions, including those from Australia, have in recent times developed links with UAE universities and the HCT to develop courses and curriculum. The good news for Australia is that there appears to be a trend towards the diversification of service providers, leading to a reduced reliance on traditional UK and USA links.

The University of Wollongong (Dubai), which provides English language courses and degrees in business administration, information technology and arts. Most of their students are expatriates attracted by the prospect of studying in the UAE and obtaining an Australian undergraduate or postgraduate degree. Up to 20 per cent of postgraduate enrolments are from UAE nationals.  

The Murdoch University International Study Centre, located at the Dubai Academic City, commenced their first semester in August 2008, offering undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business, media communication and culture, through a flexible range of study options.

Tariffs, regulations and customs

Industry standards

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Higher Education does not yet provide accreditation for distance or online degrees.

Marketing your products and services

Market entry

For success in the United Arab Emirates education sector, Australian education institutions should consider the following marketing activities:

• Participation in the Gulf Education and Training Exhibition. Gulf Education is a major educational event, and is continuing to grow in significance. The education road shows have also been highly successful and attracted a large number of potential students in the UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
• Participation in Austrade/agnet run exhibitions and missions.
• Regular market visits to develop brand awareness and demonstrate the institution’s seriousness with respect to the market (ideally twice a year).
• Participation in IDP education road shows to the Gulf, which is a good way to attract students from regional markets.
• Development of links with Higher Colleges of Technology, UAE and Zayed universities for curriculum development and staff exchanges.
• Meetings with local companies and education institutions to identify potential cooperation arrangements.
• Regular liaison with local agents and Austrade Education Business Development manager to keep up-to-date with market developments and encourage student referrals.  
• Membership of AEI.
• Participation in AEI Industry Seminars (held annually in March).

Most Australian education and training providers have appointed agents to promote their institutions in-country. Education agents such as IDP Education, AAET, IGEC, Lawand Education and Inner Universe have helped raise Australia’s profile as an innovative education and training provider.

Their presence means that prospective students have someone to speak to about the options available in Australia and to answer questions about living in Australia. The choice of where to study can be influenced by something as simple as having a person on the ground to offer direction, advice and support about the availability of courses in Australia.

A full-time Austrade Education Adviser is based in Dubai to raise awareness of Australia in the Gulf region and to identify education and training opportunities on behalf of Australian education and training providers.

The universities in UAE are open to partner with an overseas educational institution to offer a course of study in the market. However preference is always given to popular programs from well recognised institutions that widens the scope on offer to students whose preference is to remain in UAE to study.  

To recruit students from the UAE, it is beneficial to be included as a preferred institution with organisations that award scholarships.

Links and industry contacts

Education–related resources

Australian Agency for Education and Training
PO Box 5775
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 332 2527
Fax: +971 4 332 2529
Email: aaet@emirates.net.ae

Web: www.aaet.com.au

IDP Education Australia 
PO Box 50085
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 359 3800
Fax: +971 4 355 6488
Email: idped@emirates.net.ae

Web: www.idpgulf.com

Lawand Education

P.O.Box 27939

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 4352 9727

Fax: +971 4 359 3335

Email: lawand@emirates.net.ae

Web: www.lawandedu.com 

Inner Universe 
PO Box 46791
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 393 9881
Fax: +971 4  393 3433
Email: inner@emirates.net.ae

Web: www.inneruniverse.com

IGEC

P.O.Box 44979,

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Tel: +971 6 577 4464

Fax: +971 6 577 4465

Email: h.shadid@igec.com.au

Web: www.igec.com.au

Higher education

Ajman University of Science and Technology – www.ajman.ac.ae 
Etisalat College of Engineering – www.ece.ac.ae
Gulf Medical College Ajman – www.gmcajman.com
Murdoch University International Study Center in Dubai – www.murdochdubai.com
Skyline College – www.skyline.ac.ae 
United Arab Emirates University – www.uaeu.ac.ae
University of Sharjah – www.sharjah.ac.ae 
University of Wollongong - Dubai Campus – www.uowdubai.ac.ae
Zayed University – www.zu.ac.ae 

Industry news

Arabia.com – www.arabia.com
Emirates News Agency – www.wam.org.ae
Gulf Business Magazine Online Edition – www.gulfbusiness.com
Gulf News – www.gulf-news.com
Khaleej Times – www.khaleejtimes.com
UAE Interact – www.uaeinteract.com

Government, business and trade resources for United Arab Emirates

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
PO Box 295
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 2 621 3800
Fax: +971 2 635 1164

Australian Business in the Gulf Group 
PO Box 20183
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 395 4423
Fax: +971 4 395 4423
Email: abigdxb@emirates.net.ae

Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry 
PO Box 662
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 2 617 7503
Fax: +971 2 634 4759
Email: services@adcci.gov.ae

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry 
PO Box PO Box 1457
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 228 0000
Fax: +971 4 221 1646
Email: dcciinfo@dcci.org

Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
PO Box 580
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 568 8888
Fax: +971 4 568 1119
Email: scci@sharjah.gov.ae

Victorian Government Business Office
PO Box 58004
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 321 2600
Fax: +971 4 321 2700
Email: dubai@iird.vic.gov.au

Government of South Australia Commercial Representative Office
PO Box 58048
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 343 2884
Fax: +971 4 343 2885
Email: sagovtme@emirates.net.ae

Western Australian Trade Office
PO Box 58007
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 4 343 3226
Fax: +971 4 343 3238
Email: info@wato.ae 

Trade Queensland
Office 801, Level 8
Lulu Building, Salam Street
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Tel +971 2 696 8700
Fax +971 2 678 2824
Email: Susan.rae@trade.qld.gov.au

Contact details

The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) is the Australian Government’s trade and investment development agency, operating as a statutory agency within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.

Austrade assists Australian businesses contribute to national prosperity by succeeding in trade and investment, internationally, and promoting and supporting productive foreign investment into Australia.

Austrade:

• Delivers services that assist Australian businesses initiate, sustain and grow trade and outward investment.
• Promotes Australia as an inward investment destination and, with the States and Territories, supports the inflow of productive foreign direct investment.
• Administers the Export Market Development Grants scheme.
• Undertakes initiatives designed to improve community awareness of, and commitment to, international trade and investment.
• Provides advice to the Australian Government on its trade and investment development activities.
• Delivers consular, passport and other government services in designated overseas locations.

A list of Austrade offices (in alphabetical order of country) is available.

More information

For further information please contact Austrade on 13 28 78 or email info@austrade.gov.au