Educational Opportunities in Dubai: Things to Know for International Students
Dubai is currently an epitome of academic excellence with the best curriculum of modern education that escalates on high technology and favorable environment for learning. Thus, the city continues to flock with many international students. As a result, the government of the U.A.E allocates more than 21 percent of its federal budget for the education sector to provide the highest level of education that competes with the rest of the nations in the modern world. The education in Dubai is the top priority of the government alongside the developmental goals. Therefore, the government anticipates that there will be a growth in the number of international students in both universities and colleges by 4.1 percent every year until 2020. Besides, private schools in Dubai will grow drastically with over 400,000 students by the year 2020. The various institutions that will register the increment include pre-primary, primary, secondary and the tertiary as well as the vocational sectors. Therefore, the GCC education sector in Dubai projects will be 15 million by the year 2020. To achieve such projected figures, Dubai consistently addresses challenges such as shortages of tutors by encouraging its nationals to pursue teaching as a profession, issues funds to private education providers through bank loans, imposing restrictions to educational institutes that hike school fees among others.
Reasons Why Students Study in Dubai
International students join different international institution within Dubai for numerous reasons.
Dubai is a new and unique destination abroad for the experience. The Western world for a long time dominates favorable environment for international students where they experience a lot not only in education but also in different sectors among others. However, the advancement in technology in Dubai changes the experience in the education system which shifts to the Eastern world. The best place for new experience is Dubai City which is a new destination with a lot of transformation. The city is a new environment with a great feel of excellent adventure that you don't want to miss.
Dubai is the core of numerous cultures at one point. Doubt it not. Study in Dubai, and you will experience different cultures especially the Emirati culture. The Emiratis account for 20% of the population with the rest of the population coming from different Arab-Islamic countries and other nations. Dubai is a source of numerous languages that include English, Urdu, Farsi, Arabic, and Tagalog among others. International students gain experience beyond the classroom with a lot of insight regarding different cultures around the world. Therefore, Dubai is a city of uniqueness and a place to find the meaning of multiculturalism and internationalization.
Dubai is a source of educational institutions. The city offers excellent educational facilities with up to date technological advancement. The city has numerous public universities, private universities, colleges and high schools among others. Many of the educational institutes in the city have accreditations of the government and the Ministry of Higher Education and Science Research (MOHESR) with other certifications from international agencies.
Examples of such institutions include the American University of Sharjah (AUS) which has its accreditation from MOHESR and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in the US, AACSB, NAAB, and ABET.
Many Programs: Dubai City offers numerous program options. The city offers exchange programs to students through partnerships with other universities or the ISEP, via third party providers such as the CIEF, IFSA-Butler, and the API. Also, universities in Dubai offer direct enrollment to visiting students who join for semesters, years as well as for internship programs.
Bedouin Culture: Dubai has a unique and exciting Bedouin culture especially its residents in the desert. The city offers a unique tradition that comprises, exploration, pearl diving, ruling families, shipbuilding and camel herding. Besides, the culture reveals scientific discovery, shopping, Arabic language and falconry among others. Such kinds of unique heritage and galleries are experiences that await you!
Best International Universities in Dubai If you thought the UK and the USA provide some of the best universities in the world, then Dubai City is a surprise. The institutions in the city have their rankings based on reputations, international students, international faculties and numbers of citations per paper. The different universities in Dubai city that are worth joining.
United Arab Emirate University: the university is the best in the U.A.E and holds the sixth position in the Arab region. The university is well known for its courses in Agriculture and Medical Sciences with more than 12,000 students with about 2000 international students with qualified staffs holding PhDs.
American University of Sharjah: the AUS is known for its multicultural student body with 6000 international students in the institution. Besides, the university is the seventh best in the Arab region.
University of Sharjah: the university has more than 30,000 students with an international makeup whereby more than 10,000 students come from overseas. The university is one of the top research-based institutions worldwide and is the 19th best university in the Arab region. The university is unique since it offers the Arabic language besides Business Administration courses.
Zayed University: the university is known for its world participation in cultural aspects with vast development in economic and social sectors. However, it currently hosts about 200 international students. However, it is one of the institutions poised to be the best in multiculturalism in UAE.
American University in Dubai: the AUD has more than 100 nationalities with more than half of the university students who are from other nations. The institution offers numerous courses ranging from architecture, engineering to interior designs among others. University of Dubai: the university has about 1,500 students in total with few international students. Besides, the university offers business, law and IT courses among others.
Student Visas
International students who wish to study in Dubai are supposed to be under sponsorship on a family residence visa. However, those who want to attend the tertiary level of education have numerous options to choose. Sons who are below 18 years of age who need full-time education are sponsored by their parents while unmarried daughters of any age are sponsored by their fathers or their mothers only if the mother is an employee at a profession of high level. On a separate note, universities or colleges can offer an academic help and sponsor students. Visa documents are usually valid for one year at a time hence needs annual renewal during the study program. Therefore, students who need the visa documents should have the passport with at least six-month validity, several photos, copies of passport, an entry visa to the UAE and its copy, evidence of acceptance to UAE educational institutes, bank statement showing funds in the UAE, and a tenancy agreement. Also, there is a need to undergo a security check, a medical test and undergraduate degree attachment for postgraduate students.
