UAE | Education
UAE needs to find a niche industry, says US academic
The UAE needs top-range primary and secondary education as well as workshops and vocational training to maintain its position as a regional economic powerhouse, a leading US academic said.
- By Faisal Masudi, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:00 January 1, 2006
Dubai: The UAE needs top-range primary and secondary education as well as workshops and vocational training to maintain its position as a regional economic powerhouse, a leading US academic said.
"We need to look for job opportunities for our graduates. Higher education is another economic engine. Examples [from other countries] may prompt ideas about specific initiatives or 'niches' that would be appealing or appropriate for the UAE's future," Linda Lorimer, Yale University Vice-President and Secretary, said during a recent visit here.
At a forum organised by Zayed University's Centre for Business Excellence in Dubai Media City, Lorimer cited how Singapore, Chile and China had turned odds into advantages.
She drew parallels between Dubai's various free zones and Singapore's Science Park and Technology Centres to attract foreign expertise and capital.
"The economic dimensions are not the advantage here but the research has advanced the standing of Chile's academic community, which has real societal benefit."
The visiting American said the UAE had a knack for tourism and banking.
"I would not suggest what might be the appropriate direction for you; that would be presumptuous," said Lorimer.
However, this country should enter into partnerships with leading universities rather than "importing wholesale centres," she said.
According to Tanmia, the government's human-resources development arm, the services sector here is faring well, especially the financial industry.
A leading UAE sociologist agreed partly with Lorimer's observations.
"I think she's right that the UAE needs a niche, which is what Dubai has been concentrating on, but it represents a challenge," said Dr Rima Sabban.
Dr Sabban added tourism and banking may appear promising but were heavily dependent on external factors, such as the weather and foreign expertise.
"What could the UAE use internally with minimum reliance on the outside world? Education, and I agree with her, is a more stable industry and it'll lead to other developments.
"The government should establish something where nationals are heavily involved. I would add to [Lorimer's] comments that there should be a partnership between foreign institutes and local universities, Arabic is the identity of the UAE and should be enforced at work and school. We need a new mentality."
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