DUBAI // While a dearth of primary schools has driven fees higher, the rapid opening of universities in Dubai has kept tuition fees down, the head of the emirate's education authority says.
Dr Abdulla al Karam, chairman and director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said the growing number of university spaces was "working for the students". He was responding to concerns that too many universities have been opening, risking closures of those that fail to attract enough students.
The situation with universities contrasts with that for schools, Dr al Karam said, where there was a supply and demand "mismatch". This has caused heavy fee increases and led to caps on the rises schools can impose.
"We don't see that happening at universities because the supply-demand formula is being managed very well," he said.
"If there is a supply and demand matter, it's working for the students and parents because you get more choices and different curricula from different countries. In higher education it's working very positively."
Dubai and Ras al Khaimah have free zones where overseas universities can open without a licence from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Abu Dhabi has not gone the free zone route, insisting instead that all institutions have a licence from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
In Dubai's free zones, institutions need a licence from the KHDA's University Quality Assurance International Board, which aims to ensure branch campuses maintain the standards of their home institution.
Dubai's education free zones, Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), contain more than 25 branch campuses of foreign higher education institutions serving 16,000 students.
An administrator at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, based in Knowledge Village, is among those concerned about rapid growth in the sector.
Raymi van der Spek, the vice president of administration, recently suggested the authorities should "take a more active role in providing a regulatory environment that ensures the numbers are right".
However, Dr al Karam said the situation was keeping fees at "a modest level" and ensured there was a "diversity" of institutions.
"What we are doing is setting up Dubai not to be a regional destination for higher education, but an international destination," he added.
One example is Michigan State University (MSU), an American institution that recently opened a branch in DIAC, attracting students who might not travel to the United States to study.
"We can bring people from Syria, from Pakistan, from Iran, from everywhere to give them an American education," he said.
"It's the American global dream that can only happen in Dubai because it's such a global city."
MSU Dubai serves as "a template for what can work" for the other US institutions Dr al Karam predicted would open in Dubai.
While Abu Dhabi is not going the free zone route, Dr al Karam said there was no conflict between the different strategies employed in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
"We're not saying one model is better or worse. They're just different," he said.
His comments echoed those of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who recently said it was not for the Government to limit the number of universities that can open.
Prof Brian Smart, the executive dean of the Dubai International Academic City campus of Heriot-Watt University, a Scottish institution, said most fees for students in Dubai were lower than those charged to international students at the main campus in Edinburgh.
The university's fees in Dubai were pegged according to what other institutions were charging, with little room for further reductions.
"If you look at the cost of the operation, at present there's very little we can do to bring the fees down, because we're right on the edge," he said. "Rents are high, salaries are going up, housing is going up."
Although more than 25 foreign higher education institutions have commenced operations in Dubai's free zones, the emirate has rejected many universities that were keen to open, last year approving just five of 54 applications.
While there may be a growing number of spaces, Denis Ravizza, the art director and associate dean of the French Fashion University Esmod, also in DIAC, said there was not enough variety in the courses they are offering.
"What we see so far is so many institutions focusing on the same segments - business and management - which is probably related to market demand," he said.
dbardsley@thenational.ae
Company%20profile
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
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%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hoopla%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EDate%20started%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMarch%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Jacqueline%20Perrottet%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20required%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%24500%2C000%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More on animal trafficking
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Dates for the diary
To mark Bodytree’s 10th anniversary, the coming season will be filled with celebratory activities:
- September 21 Anyone interested in becoming a certified yoga instructor can sign up for a 250-hour course in Yoga Teacher Training with Jacquelene Sadek. It begins on September 21 and will take place over the course of six weekends.
- October 18 to 21 International yoga instructor, Yogi Nora, will be visiting Bodytree and offering classes.
- October 26 to November 4 International pilates instructor Courtney Miller will be on hand at the studio, offering classes.
- November 9 Bodytree is hosting a party to celebrate turning 10, and everyone is invited. Expect a day full of free classes on the grounds of the studio.
- December 11 Yogeswari, an advanced certified Jivamukti teacher, will be visiting the studio.
- February 2, 2018 Bodytree will host its 4th annual yoga market.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Company profile
Date started: December 24, 2018
Founders: Omer Gurel, chief executive and co-founder and Edebali Sener, co-founder and chief technology officer
Based: Dubai Media City
Number of employees: 42 (34 in Dubai and a tech team of eight in Ankara, Turkey)
Sector: ConsumerTech and FinTech
Cashflow: Almost $1 million a year
Funding: Series A funding of $2.5m with Series B plans for May 2020
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
MATCH INFO
Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, May 3
Live: On BeIN Sports HD