KV records 50 per cent increase in programmes of study in 2005

The education cluster also witnessed a vast increase in the diversity of students in the community.

Over 2005, KV-based institutions introduced several new programmes in a broad range of professional fields including filmmaking, mass communication, animation, audio engineering, healthcare management and information technology.

This new programmes add to the prestigious undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA programmes already offered by KV in fields such as business, engineering, IT and medicine. One of the new programmes introduced is a Bachelors in IT.

The six new programmes introduced in 2005 account for 30% of the current undergraduate student strength. In addition, new colleges planning to open their doors in 2006 will offer more courses that will add to the educational options at KV.

Postgraduate opportunities have doubled this academic year with over 2000 students enrolling in postgraduate programmes compared to 1000 in 2004/2005.

"These figures show that KV is moving closer to fulfilling its mission of developing Dubai into the Middle East's leading education destination," said Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, CEO of Dubai Knowledge Village.

"We are very pleased with the increasing diversity of KV's students and its programmes of study. One of the most exciting developments, however, is the 100 % increase in the number of post graduate students, which points to KV's key role in supplying fresh young talent for the development of Dubai's economy."

Dubai Knowledge Village's student community has grown in diversity with students of 55 nationalities having studied here in 2005. The nationality which accounts for the highest number of students is India, followed by Pakistan, Iran, UAE and the UK. KV students also come from Nepal, Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, Moldavia, Kenya, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Bulgaria.

Dubai Knowledge Village is a home for branches of 15 international universities from Australia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Belgium, UK and Ireland. The cluster also has over 200 professional training institutes and numerous academic support service providers.