DUBAI // Students around the world are accustomed to perks, with the student card often the most important accessory during university years.
The International Student Identity Card (Isic) is in 134 countries, giving students discounts on things from gym membership to clothing, travel and entertainment.
Unfortunately, the UAE was not one of those countries – until now. At long last students in the UAE can now reap the same benefits as their peers worldwide.
Mary-Alison Irvine, student services manager at the Canadian University in Dubai, was among the first to support the UAE’s launch of the student card. “Most of our students are not working, therefore I think the card is good for them and the parents who support them,” she said.
“I personally encourage the students to buy the card because I see the value and know how beneficial it was to me as a student.”
The Dh80 card offers discounts with companies such as Fitness First and Emirates.
Worldwide there are 5.5 million students with the card. So far there are 20,000 in the UAE after they were introduced at the start of the year.
New cardholder Karan Jhaveri, a computer science student at the University of Wollongong in Dubai, said: “In the long term, I think it will help me save money, especially as once you have it, you can keep using it until you are 30.”
The cards are also available for students aged 12 and above as well as teachers at Ministry of Education and KHDA approved schools and universities.
Michael Lezo, UAE operations manager for Isic, said: “People don’t realise how far the benefits spread, from things like entrance into galleries in London to discounts on rail travel in Europe.”
mswan@thenational.ae