The news that universities in the UAE are asking students to leave because they cannot make the grade, need not be bad news. It is very important that all educational institutions work to a high standard and insist that their students keep up, and leave if they cannot. It is nonsense to say that everyone is entitled to a degree, regardless of educational attainment. It makes a mockery of those who work hard, if their peers can get the same qualification without working.
Of course, the institutions themselves need to be responsible: they cannot just fill up their places without regard to the capability of the potential students. They also need to nurture their students and give them every chance to succeed. Failing a student followed by expulsion should be the very last resort.
But it is a fact that some students will do well at university and get their degrees and others will not. It is very important that society is ready to offer such young citizens an alternative, such as more vocational courses which are less academic and more targeted on training for a particular career. This is where the shorter vocational courses at institutions like the Higher Colleges of Technology have a vital role.