Abu Dhabi: There has been an increasing number of Emirati students enrolling at higher education universities and institutions in the United States.

The number of Emirati high school graduates pursuing higher studies in the US grew once again last year, up to 7.6 per cent over the previous figure, according to Open Doors, the latest US report on international academic mobility.

“More and more Emirati students choose the US every year because they want the very best education in the world and US education options are top quality, wide-ranging, flexible, and great value. Emirati parents want only their best for the children and they know that American universities are both high-quality and thrilled to welcome foreign students,” Ali Lejlic, counsellor for press and cultural affairs at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News.

According to the 2013 Open Doors report, published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the number of UAE nationals enrolled at US institutions of higher education in the 2012-13 academic year grew to 2,256 up from 2,097 the previous year.

The popularity of the USA as an academic destination for Emirati students comes as the United States once again tops one of the most trusted university ranking lists, such as Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings, which is published annually in the UK.

The 2014-15 rakings feature seven US universities in the top ten and around 45 American institutions in the top 100.

When some Emirati students were asked why they are keen on pursuing a world-class American education, they answered: “Studying and living abroad, especially in a country where your language isn’t spoken, requires a lot of challenge and courage and such characteristics are influential for many employers in the UAE, more than your degree itself. Having an American university listed in your CV will definitely impress employers and prompt them to hire you in their organisation.”

UK figures

Out of the 18,500 students from GCC studying in UK, 3,200 are from the UAE, which represents 19 per cent of the total, according to latest figures published in 2013.

“The UAE has huge trust in the UK system and a larger number of courses and tests are being brought to the country by UK firms. Additionally, students from the UAE are ideal candidates for UK universities as they are well educated through world-class tools and are familiar with the UK system, which allows them to cope with the course agenda faster and more effectively,” Marc Jessel, country director at the British Council UAE, said earlier.