Dubai: Zayed University (ZU) students shared their views on expats in a new study called The UAE Through Expats’ Eyes at a conference in Dubai on Monday.
The one-day conference was organised by the Dubai Cultural and Scientific Association in Al Mamzar and ZU.
Third-year political science undergraduates asked Emirati students a range of questions related to their perceptions about the presence of foreigners in the UAE. The UAE is home to some 200 nationalties who make up roughly 80 per cent of the population.
The findings showed many young Emiratis have concerns about the effects of such a mix of cultures on their own traditions, language and career prospects.
However, some are “neutral” to expats while others have no reservations. A strong theme in the responses, collected over two months at the Dubai and Abu Dhabi ZU campuses, was that young Emiratis welcome outsiders as long as local laws and values are upheld.
Twenty-two per cent of those surveyed had objections to the presence of expats, while 34 per cent accepted them and 44 per cent were neutral.
Meanwhile, 60 per cent expressed some apprehension about expat communities, 22 per cent were neutral and 18 per cent said they had “no fear” of foreigners.
Expats’ positive aspects were rated with punctuality on top followed by professionalism and then respect for law and order.
The Emirati ZU student researchers involved in the study – all females – were Nouf Yaqub, Alia Al Falasi, and Mariam Al Abdool.
