Number of UAE nationals opting for local universities is rising

Figures released by the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), the first Western university with its own campus to be established in the UAE, show that the number of UAE nationals for its postgraduate courses have shot up from 129 in the year 2002 to 402 this year.

"The trend among UAE nationals heading abroad for their university education appears to be reversing, as the range of courses is becoming wider and quality of education delivered by local universities is rising," says Dr. Raed Awamleh, Dean, Academic Affairs, UOWD. "Besides, UAE nationals feel comfortable in local surroundings and also get to stay connected with the ground realities of the job market."

UAE nationals doing undergraduate and postgraduate courses at UOWD say there are many benefits of studying in local universities.

"If you have the time, invest it in furthering your studies," is the advice of Mohammad Abdul Aziz, a UAE national who completed an MBA at UOWD and is now an IT Supervisor at Dugas in Jebel Ali. "In Dubai's ever-changing environment, it is crucial that you enhance your academic background to stay competitive in the job market. UOWD, with its reputation and an academic program like the MBA of the highest standards, has given me the foundation for my future."

Another UAE National, Noora Alawi, who completed a Master of Quality Management at UOWD, and now works as a Recruitment Offier at Dubai's World Trade Centre, says: "My course taught me what quality standards were required to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage in any organisation. That has helped me immensely in my current employment."

As part of its efforts to groom UAE nationals for the job market, UOWD recently launched the UAE Nationals Training & Employment Program in Advertising and Marketing Communications at which trainees are provided hands-on training at Promoseven, one of the top marketing communication agencies in the Middle East, and academic content backed up by case studies at the university.

This unique training and employment program will be conducted under the auspices of the MCN Academy in partnership with the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD). The first ever program in this discipline is sponsored and endorsed in part by Dubai Waterfront - a Nakheel company, and by the Emirates Nationals Development Programme.

"We are getting increasing number of inquiries from private and public sector companies regarding recruitment of qualified and competent graduates from UOWD," said Professor Nick van der Walt, CEO of UOWD. "It is an indication that companies are convinced of the quality of education delivered by UOWD."

Established in 1993, UOWD was the first Australian university in Dubai to be licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research. Located at Knowledge Village, it boasts 2500 students from 80 different nationalities.