More school pupils in the UAE have their sights set on studying in universities abroad this year, with many saying the Covid-19 pandemic no longer has any effect on their plans.
The top destinations for students were Europe and the US, followed closely by Canada and with Poland now a popular choice.
Although UAE universities are keen to attract more entrants from local schools by expanding their campuses, increasing course variety and adding more student accommodation options, the lure of foreign travel was a strong factor for many.
Speaking to The National at a higher education fair in Dubai this week, pupils said the benefits of studying abroad varied, from new life experiences to gaining access to better academic programmes and exploring different cultures.
Although the number of universities and the number of academic courses are increasing in the UAE, most students want to study abroad ... it’s a chance to experience real university living
Muhammad Ibrahim,
prospective student
Ahmed Ali Chaudhry, a year 13 pupil at English Language Private School Dubai, said he plans to study in Poland.
“At the moment my plan is to apply for university in Poland because several of my friends study there and it is considerably cheaper tuition than the UAE,” he said.
“To study a degree in computer science is, on average, about Dh10,000 to Dh15,000 [$2,720-4,080] a year in the UAE. In Poland it is about Dh5,000.
“I think there are more opportunities to take up work experience in Poland, too.
“For pupils like me, the appeal is always to study abroad as that is where the main campuses for international universities are.”
Unesco's student flow data for 2019 showed the UK as the top destination for UAE students studying abroad.
Recent data from Ucas, a British university admissions service, also revealed a record number of students from the UAE have applied to UK universities in 2022.
This year alone, 2,950 applications from prospective UAE students have been received by Ucas, up 17 per cent from 2021.
A Ucas representative said the "UK's world-class universities and colleges" explained why applications from UAE students had increased and were "rising much quicker than for many other countries outside of the EU".
Muhammad Ibrahim, 19, a pupil in Dubai, said he had already chosen the US as his further studies destination.
“I plan to study computer engineering and I’ve already been offered an athletics scholarship at Fresno Pacific University and Fresno State University, both in California,” he said.
“My scholarship is valued at about $30,000 and will cover my first year in school.
“Although the number of universities and academic courses are increasing in the UAE, most students want to study abroad because universities are more established in the likes of the US and UK, and it’s a chance to experience real university living.”
With hopes of becoming a pilot, Muhammad Salman, 18, said he was looking at universities in Poland and Canada.
“My sister lives in Poland and has established a good life for herself, hence why I’m looking at my options there,” he said.
“Canada was an obvious choice because I know so many people that have studied there and the universities are world-renowned.
“I’m looking at studying aeronautical or mechanical engineering.
“I didn’t consider staying in the UAE but I know some people who want to pursue business-focused degrees who are keen to stay here as the course options are good.”
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, university heads, admissions teams and prospective students from the more than 80 universities in the UAE attended the opening day of the Global Education and Training Exhibition in Dubai on Thursday.
Middlesex University was enticing students with a special Getex grant of Dh5,000 off their tuition if they made a down payment on a course during the three-day event.
At Amity University in Academic City, Dubai, chief executive Dr Vajahat Hussain said that while there has traditionally been an influx of students looking to study abroad, the university had had a higher enrolment for Emirati students in the past year.
Of the 2,000 students on campus, 5 per cent were Emirati but he said the number was growing.
“Almost all are enrolled in our engineering and forensic science courses and we have a higher uptake from females than males,” said Mr Hussain.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
Temple numbers
Expected completion: 2022
Height: 24 meters
Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people
Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people
First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time
First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres
Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres
Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
The specs
Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Who: France v Italy
When: Friday, 11pm (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
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Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
MATCH INFO
Jersey 147 (20 overs)
UAE 112 (19.2 overs)
Jersey win by 35 runs
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE finals day
Friday, April 13
Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Oppenheimer
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
THE BIO
Favourite author - Paulo Coelho
Favourite holiday destination - Cuba
New York Times or Jordan Times? NYT is a school and JT was my practice field
Role model - My Grandfather
Dream interviewee - Che Guevara
