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The UAE political system is a unique combination of the traditional and the modern, enabling the country to develop a modern administrative structure yet ensuring that the best of the traditions of the past are maintained, adapted and preserved.
The UAE economy has been hit hard over the last few years due to the global financial crisis which caused a marked slowdown in the country’s real estate, construction and tourism sectors. However, Dubai has begun to show signs of recovery in its tourism sector while Abu Dhabi’s real estate and construction industries have remained relatively stable. Moreover, due to its comfortable oil industry, Abu Dhabi has been able to maintain its economic status in the region as well as offer support both within and beyond its borders.
Currently, World Bank population estimates for the UAE put the total population at just over 4.7 million. Of these, approximately 20% are Emirati and 25% are below 15 years of age.
The education system in the UAE is as varied as its population composition with almost 20 curricula available in private schools across the country in addition to the local curricula being taught in public schools such as IGCSE, GCSE, Indian CBSE and ISC, Pakistani, Iranian, French, American and the International Baccalaureate. Moreover, the country enjoys very high adult literacy rates as well as exceptional enrolment rates and very low drop out rates across all levels of education in its private schools.
The six Gulf Arab states that make up the GCC - the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman – have all pegged their currencies to the dollar as a precursor to bringing in a single currency by 2010. However, plans for the single currency have suffered a number of setbacks and there is no indication of when they may come to fruition.
A survey conducted earlier in 2011 by recruitment firm BAC Middle East, and spanning over 200 companies in Dubai, indicated that perceptions of the UAE job market are on the upswing, with 95% of respondents stating that they were optimistic about year ahead. A further 72% stated that their company would hire new staff in 2011.
Unlike in pre-global recession years, salary and benefit expectations are relatively more muted, with an expected 5% increase, which may be seen to be reflective of the market correction which resulted from the recession.
One thing that has not changed is the UAE government’s considerable investment in education. The UAE continues to offer a comprehensive education to all male and female students from kindergarten to university, with education for the country’s citizens being provided free at all levels. Government scholarships also continue to be made available for the thousands of students who are eligible and choose to pursue higher education.
As in many countries, education at primary and secondary level is universal and compulsory up to ninth grade. Government schools in the UAE follow 6 years of primary, 3 years of intermediate and 3 years of secondary school. Males and females are taught in separate schools, although some schools in the private sector teach pupils in separate classrooms. The school year begins in September and continues until mid-June with a winter break in December and the summer holidays from mid-June to August.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) was created to improve schools and other human resource sectors in Dubai. Their mission is to assure quality and to improve accessibility to education, learning and human development, with the engagement of the community. The plans for KHDA are derived from the government’s strategy and carried out in a transparent manner to make sure everything benefits the highest priority.
The Dubai Schools Inspections Bureau (DSIB) is an organisation within KHDA, developed to define and measure education quality in order to support the improvement of school education in Dubai. The Bureau provides:
•An inspection service which gives independent, comprehensive assessment of educational standards and school performance for every school in Dubai, both public and private.
•KHDA, the Government of Dubai and the public with an accurate and detailed view of the quality of school education in Dubai in relation to the educationally best performing countries in the world.
The University Quality Assurance International Board (UQAIB) is a board of leading international higher education quality assurance experts established by KHDA Board to ensure that the quality of higher education of the Higher Education Providers (HEP) is in line with both International and the Emirate standards. UQAIB has responsibility for approving HEP Branches for the purpose of Institutional Permits and making recommendations to KHDA accordingly; and validating the academic programs of HEP Branches for the purpose of Program Registration.
Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) seeks to develop education and educational institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, implement innovative educational policies, plans and programs that aim to improve education, and support educational institutions and staff to achieve the objectives of national development in accordance with the highest international standards.
The roles of the Abu Dhabi Education Council:
- Develop education and educational institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. It will provide technical assistance in this regard and coordinate with the Ministry of Education in planning education strategies within the framework of the UAE’s general education policy.
- Conduct studies and make suggestions to develop education and vocational training and enhance the capabilities of educational institutions and their employees to advance with the general progress of the country.
- Provide technical and material assistance to educational institutions and support relations between educational institutions and the private sector.
- The council will provide assistance, counselling and technical services to educational institutions and coordinate among these institutions to enable them to implement the education plans of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
- Participate in establishing an educational database for Abu Dhabi and encourage the private sector to provide quality education services according to existing laws.
Based on the HESA Statistics for 2010, the largest number of UAE domiciled students in the UK studying HE are UAE Nationals, followed Indians, British and Pakistanis. Country statistics for 2010 indicate a 29% increase in Emirati student visa applications to the UK for the March-September 2010 intake compared to the same time in 2009, with an 88% issue rate. The overall visa issue rate for the UAE (ie: one that takes into account all nationalities applying for student visas from the UAE) is 67%.
The top undergraduate courses for United Arab Emirates students in the UK include Nursing, Business and Management related courses, Engineering courses, Economics, Law and Computer Sciences.
The top postgraduate courses for United Arab Emirates students in the UK include Business and Management related courses, academic studies in education, Clinical Medicine, Information Systems, and Law.
There are several opportunities for UK institutions in the UAE, from setting up a campus to recruiting students by hosting open days and attending exhibitions.
- Working with agents and scholarship providers – meeting with representatives from these organisations to discuss best methods of practice and possibilities of working together.
- Setting up links with UAE institutions – partnering with federal and private institutions on joint-delivery, faculty exchange, research collaboration and articulation.
- Campus/Branch – opportunities for UK institutions to set up in Knowledge Village or Academic City, freezones based in Dubai that are monitored by KHDA.
- Other – requirement for foundation programmes within the Emirati community, English as a Foreign Language during the summer, progression routes, etc.
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