Council raises hackles over denial of admission to 5,000 students

Abu Dhabi: The Federal National Council (FNC) on Tuesday questioned why 5,000 students were denied admission to universities and scientific research failed to meet its goals due to shortage of funds in a wealthy country such as the UAE.

FNC members also warned that lack of funds has forced a growing number of resignations among the teaching and administrative staff of the UAE University, the Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCTs) and reduced the pace of emiratisation at these institutions.

"When the oil was priced at $8 a barrel the government had been offering generous incentives to students, now when the oil almost reached $100 a barrel, students are denied admissions due to shortage of funds. How come this happens in the UAE which is considered one of the richest countries in the world?" asked Ali Majid Al Matroushi, an FNC member from Ajman.

He further asked whether a charity campaign is needed to support the higher education in the UAE, a country with a relatively small population.

Ali Jasem, a member from Umm Al Quwain, demanded that the Government adjust the rules for drafting the budget to allow for increasing allocation for education.

Dr Obaid Al Muhairi, a member from Sharjah, said scientific research failed to address the immediate needs and concerns of the people.

Najla Al Awadi from Dubai asked what would the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research do should the government refuse to increase the allocation for education.

Seats reduction

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, admitted that the shortage of funds "forced us to turn down admissions of 5,000 students this year and the number will be even bigger next year, when the Higher Colleges of Technology will be forced to reduce the number of seats from 16,000 to 14,000."

Shaikh Nahyan warned if no action is taken, the situation is going to get worse and the country will suffer a severe shortage of human resources that will adversely affect the economic development. He urged the private and the public sectors and businessmen to join hands to resolve this problem.

Fund plan: 1% levy on profits

The FNC recommended setting up an endowment fund to support education and another fund to support scientific research by levying 1 per cent of the profits of private businesses.

The house also suggested working out a plan for emiratisation of teaching and administrative staff in the higher education institutions.

The FNC further recommended that the Government increases allocation for education based on the number of students.

The house also called for increasing allocation for scientific research and scholarships.