DUBAI - The financial crisis has made many people here jittery and a few are trying to improve their prospects by going in for higher academic qualifications.
The World MBA Tour, a travelling showcase of universities around the world offering Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses, made its presence felt in Dubai, on Monday.
Emirati couple Ahmed and Roudha Al Marri said they were considering studying in the US, Australia or the UK for their MBAs.
“The financial crisis has made everyone feel nervous. If we are better qualified, we stand a better chance of being employed,” said Roudha, 26.
“It’s also a learning experience about the effects of the financial crisis. It’s hard to tell how affected we are here. Hopefully studying abroad will give us more exposure so that when we return we can put it to good use.”
The exhibition, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, runs until Wednesday and entry is free.
It includes stalls from universities such as Kellogg in Germany and the NUS Business School in Singapore.
The exhibitors offered a wide range of programmes, ranging from distance learning to study abroad.
Ramy Jaber, representative of the London School of Business and Finance, said the financial crisis had made more people reluctant to study abroad.
“The main problem we are finding is that people are reluctant to leave their jobs and study abroad,” he said. “Because of the situation in the Middle East they are concerned that when they return there won’t be a position waiting for them.”