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(Last updated: 24 Sep 2008)
Trends and opportunities
The market
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.
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