Middle East students seek university options in UK
United Kingdom The number of Middle East students choosing to study at UK universities and colleges has doubled in the past two years, according to figures collated by the VisitBritain tourism body. More than 13,500 students from GCC countries enrolled in higher education courses in the UK between 2008 and 2009, an increase of 18 per cent on the previous year, data supplied by the British Council showed. Figures for the UAE revealed that about 2,800 students, including 1,120 Emiratis, chose to study in the UK in the same year, a rise of 16 per cent.
Business school takes online TV approach
Abu Dhabi The Manchester Business School (MBS) in the Middle East is one of the first business schools in the region to introduce content exclusively created, filmed, produced and broadcast on OneTVO, an online television organisation. An MBS TV spokesman said the company was pioneering the online TV approach, which was to co-create content with OneTVO and, using digital, web-based television technology, to educate more people. Randa Bessiso, MBS Director — Middle East, said: "We have just announced the 2010 Manchester Innovation Award for Emiratis and what better way to communicate this than through an innovative online platform."
Dubai and London join forces
Dubai The London and Dubai streams of London Business School's Executive MBA (EMBA) programme have joined for the first time to deliver an international programme. Students at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) joined London EMBA students this week to integrate the two student groups. Under the plan, the Dubai and London streams of the EMBA, comprising 130 professionals, will share two additional modules at the London campus and connect through a range of electives, international assignments and events during their 20-month programme.
Foundation programme broadens opportunities
Dubai Al Ghurair University has introduced a foundation programme designed to improve the performance of students who scored below 60 per cent in their secondary school examination, to enable them to pursue courses there. Commenting on the move, Professor Dr Abdurahem Mohammad Al Ameen, President of Al Ghurair University said the university offered low-grade students the opportunity to pursue their choice of academic specialisation. "It is also to give them a second chance of obtaining university degrees, which enables the students to make up for what was missing and to prepare them to pursue any specialisation," he said.
