We need a wider range of degree programmes

Coping with English may be one of the main problems facing students moving from high schools to universities. However, education systems, quality assurance and the increasing number of masters programmes in the country also need to be evaluated, according to Dr Abdullah Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Director of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority.

Notes met him for an exclusive interview on some of the issues facing students pursuing their higher education.

What are the problems that students face when they make the move from school to college and how can these be solved?

The schooling system is really good in the country and I mean by that the subjects taught at our schools. They are of high quality compared to subjects taught in other countries around the world.

School subjects cover a wide range of topics and some are actually later on taught at the university level.

Take maths for instance. Students learn calculus at our schools, which they take again at college.

However, we need to focus on the language of instruction, especially when it comes to mathematics and science. When our students go to university they would have to take these two subjects, which are offered in English. The students know the subject, but not in English.

What happens with our students when they go into university or go abroad is that they spend time in the foundation year learning English.

Also in our system, students have two choices when they reach high school. They either enrol in the arts or sciences section. They do not get a chance to take up credit courses or subjects they are interested in and carry that to college.

A lot of students face problems when they finish their bachelor studies and go abroad for their masters degrees. What can be done about that?

Language can be one problem. Another is the system of education. There isn't a one system if you go abroad. The American system of masters is different from the British and the Australian. Some require you to write a thesis and some don't.

What we can do is bring more masters programmes here. This will help a lot of interested people, especially women.

The numbers of women with a bachelors degree is higher than that of men. However, there are more men with masters degrees than women because many of them cannot travel. Also bringing masters programmes to the UAE will help those with jobs pursue their higher education. A lot of people would not want to pass up the opportunities here and go study.

We also need diversity in postgraduate programmes.

There is the perception among students that one should pursue a bachelor degree from a university in the UAE, but go abroad for masters programmes. What do you think?

I think there are not many masters degree providers and the ones there are, are all clustered around MBAs. This is not enough. We need to diversify the programmes. Also undergraduate programmes are not that many to feed into people qualified for masters degrees, which is an issue we faced with some universities abroad.

Also, masters degrees should be industry-linked.
The quality of masters degrees should match what the industry needs and what high schools give.

Is there anything you want to add?

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority has been focusing its efforts on schools and is now moving towards creating agencies that focus on higher education. These agencies will work on projects such as linking higher education to industries, scholarships, and quality assurance to make sure the universities meet global standards. This is one way to work towards lifting the standards of higher education in the country.

We ask: Do you feel limited by the lack of enough degree options in the UAE?

"I think so, because there are limited options in fashion and science programmes."
— Joann Correi, business, University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD)

"Degree options are limited here, especially in the engineering and IT programmes."
— Omar Arshad, business, UOWD

"Yes, because there are few universities that offer reasonable fees; that is why you feel limited in the options you have."
— Kasica Fernandes, business, UOWD

"Universities have improved and are still improving, so more options are becoming available."
— Nayomi Abbank, engineering, BITS Pilani Dubai Campus

"Right now they are improving but compared to other universities abroad it is still limited here."
— Naheed Rizvi, business, UOWD

"I think so, because there are very limited options in the psychology and fashion fields."
— Lisa Marie, psychology, Middlesex University Dubai

— Compiled by Rania Al Hussaini , Deputy Editor