Bharati Vidyapeeth University is joining a string of schools that have opened branch campuses in Ras al Khaimah.
The Indian university, to open in RAK Free Trade Zone in February, hopes to attract 60 students for its bachelor of business administration course and 60 for its master of business administration degree.
Concerns have been raised that the UAE could have too many universities, but Oussama el Omari, the chief executive and director general of RAK Free Trade Zone, said “education should be made available to everyone in the UAE”.
The free trade zone, a statement said, was trying to attract schools that would train people for the emirate’s “emerging industries”.
“We are after quality, not quantity. RAK Free Trade Zone is actively pursuing educational institutions that offer courses that are relevant to the times,” Mr Omari said.
To encourage them to open in the free trade zone, universities are offered rapid visa processing and registration. They do not have to obtain a licence from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and are not obliged to apply for accreditation for their programmes from the Commission for Academic Accreditation.
Several overseas institutes have opened branches in the free trade zone, including the University of Bolton, which opened in September.
Vatel International Business School for Hotel and Tourism Management is planning to open in the free zone in January. George Mason University also has a campus in Ras al Khaimah, although it is no longer operating under free zone rules.
The emirate eventually plans to concentrate its universities in an education free zone.
Bharati Vidyapeeth University has branches in cities across India including Mumbai, Delhi and Solapur, and offers courses such as medicine, nursing and engineering.
Page last updated 01 January 2020