Dubai: The higher education scene in the UAE is getting more and more active with a steady increase in the number of institutions throwing open their portals to students, including a growing number of foreign universities establishing campuses in the country.
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According to Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the UAE is on course to becoming not only a regional education hub but also a reputable centre of education globally.
Shaikh Nahyan set out his plans for developing higher education in the UAE during an interview with Gulf News.
Gulf News: Is the quality of education offered at branch campuses of foreign universities comparable to standards they maintain back home?
Shaikh Nahyan: I think we can't generalise here. Some universities offer their full-fledged programmes complete with the same academic standards and excellent faculty. Those who seek accreditation from the accreditation commission go through a very rigorous evaluation and review.
We bring teams of internationally recognised evaluators for each specific programme. We apply for international and pioneer standards to retain accreditation. Those who get the nod of the accreditation committee are guaranteed to offer quality programmes. But there are still those who are not so particular about getting accreditation and it is a global issue.
Accreditation can only become mandatory if the emirate in which the university is established seeks to enforce it. Any university can apply for accreditation after the first batch of students has graduated.
How much time does the process of accreditation take?
It depends on the number of programmes offered, the degrees offered and the preparation of the institution approaching the accreditation agency for a review or evaluation. The process is known to be transparent and neutral and professional.
Who chooses the programmes offered by an institution?
It's up to the institute. The institute [is advised to] offer programmes that are in tune with the needs of the region such as business and IT.
Is there a gap between educational results and the requirements of the job market?
In this age, changes in market requirements are rapid. In most professions in the world, it is not enough to simply possess a university degree, there is a constant need to learn and adapt. The interdisciplinary approach in most of the programmes offered at universities is helpful in preparing students to enrol into the workforce.
What impact will it have on the student if she/he goes to non-accredited institutions?
People have to take a mature decision when choosing the right university. An un-accredited institution is not the responsibility of the commission or the government. It is the student's responsibility to know better about the institution she/he decides to invest time and resources in. I think parents and students can make an informed decision by taking into account accreditation details. If students go to the site of the [accreditation] commission, they can check which institutions are accredited. There is no chance of being misled.
What is the point of having non-accredited institutions?
Such institutions exist all over the world. Sometimes they offer the only chance for students unable to find a seat in some of the better known institutions to get a degree. There are, however, some cases where students claim they were not aware that institutions they enrolled in were non-accredited.
Are students from the UAE qualified to join branch campuses of international universities given the debate about whether they would emerge on par with their peers in the main campuses?
I think our students are more than qualified. We see our students doing very well in universities in the US, Europe, Australia, and Canada.
Do institutions have absolute academic freedom?
I think it's about time these institutes were allowed academic freedom to deliver good quality programmes. I don't think there is a problem in that area.
Is there a monitoring body of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research that looks into the functioning of academic institutions in terms of the curriculum and fee structure?
The programmes for sure have to comply with international standards and this is done specifically through accreditation.
What if the curriculum highlights issues of sensitivity to the culture of the UAE such as religion and politics?
We have not come across this issue until now and I don't think we will. I don't foresee a need for such objections because managements are well aware of local sensitivities. Even the students [in the UAE] will deem such material unacceptable.
Our aim is to make the UAE an education hub. The world too is becoming a smaller place and these universities feel the need to reach out. We are all facing up to the challenges of the 21st century, be it the environment, poverty, eradication of diseases, or education. No one can shut oneself off from what's going on around them. We have to work together.
What prompts foreign educational institutions to open branches in the UAE?
The freedom, security, peace, openness and facilities on offer, besides the infrastructure and ease of operation.
Is not profiteering one of the reasons for such institutions opening campuses here?
Nobody is guided entirely by charitable thought in such cases.
Members of the faculty and other costs have to be taken care of. The problem is not with money but with finding good quality human resources and teachers.
We should look at it from that perspective.
Faculty members bring their rich experience and wealth of qualifications to the job.
There is a need to focus on the benefit we derive. We must understand that most of these institutions are not run with a profit motive.
Besides, Higher Colleges of Technology is going international and is set to open a campus in Bangalore, India.
It will definitely attract students. In fact, many students from the region want to study in our institutions. A medical institution in Bangalore asked us to assist them in their programme.
Is there a balance between demand and supply for educational institutions in the UAE?
There still is a need for more universities. We no longer just serve students of the UAE.
Will there be more diversified programmes in the future?
I think demand will dictate the make-up of programmes. I think the market too will be a factor.
The UAE is not a debating society, it's a working society; therein lies the need for heritage, arts, and humanities.
By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter