Dubai: Experts say Dubai has yet to become a true "education hub".
"There are issues with student visas. After they turn 18 or graduate, they have only 30 days to find a sponsor, find a job," said Dr B. Ramjee, Director, Manipal University Dubai, while speaking at the "Is Dubai an Education Hub?" conference in Emirates Towers Hotel. "Students find it expensive here. There should be subsidies on housing, part-time work permits," he said.
Organic growth
Lawrence Loh, VP for Academic Affairs, Al Ghurair University, Dubai, said: "A hub is not just a collection of universities, it evolves; there's organic growth."
Anna Kizirian, Educational Consultant and Partner, Proactive Management Consultancy said, "Locally, Dubai is a hub, but affordable education and accommodation, safety and good prospects for employment are factors too."
From an employer's viewpoint lack of innovation on campus is a cause for concern, said Hussam Al Atab, HR Business Partner, Dell-Middle East & Egypt.
A speaker from the audience said graduates from Dubai-based varsities applying to masters' programmes abroad were getting rejected.
Though most foreign universities based in education "free zones" are accredited in their home countries and approved by local authorities, federal higher education departments in the UAE have yet to accredit them.
Dr Ayoub Kazim, MD of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Village, said: "We've come a long way in seven years and are learning from our mistakes. We aim to be a knowledge economy in 10 years."
Francis Matthew, Gulf News Editor-at-Large, moderated the forum.
