Dubai: Although expatriate students still outnumber UAE nationals in universities of Dubai, the 10 per cent jump in Emirati enrolments, especially among male students, is positive news.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority's (KHDA) Higher Education Landscape in Dubai 2010 report shows that there are 8,710 male students enrolled — 52 per cent of the total figure.
Female graduates comprised 52 per cent (1,608) of the total Emirati graduate cohort for 2009-2010.
"We have noticed an increase in male students over female over the past few years, but we don't have the graduation data yet. It will take us another three years to gather that data," Dr Fox said.
‘Fair amount'
In 2009, Dr Fox told Gulf News, that a fairly large number of young Emirati males didn't complete high school. "A fair amount of young Emirati males drop out of secondary school by the tenth grade and very few go on to college."
He said the higher number of Emiratis in higher education compared to 2009, "reflects an increase in numbers at school". Among the goals of the Dubai government and KHDA is to increase the enrolment of Emirati students.
Federal universities attract the bulk of UAE nationals. About 7,000 (43 per cent) of Emirati students attend federal universities.
To read the full report, log on to http://www.khda.gov.ae/Pages/En/helandscapeen.aspx
