UAE becomes top education destination for global students

Mariecar Jara-Puyod, Senior Reporter

An education consultant and a career counsellor have seen a massive shift of interest of both resident and international students to earn their tertiary education diplomas in any of the accredited universities and colleges by the UAE Ministry of Education.

Counselling Point Training and Development director Rema Menon Vellatt and Emirates International School (Meadows) career counsellor Shalini Gnanatheeban were asked of their insights and assessments, based on the past five years, on how the UAE has become a choice, even by post-graduate enrollees, looking forward to newer knowledge and skills to beef up their careers.

According to a Jan.20, 2025 news18.com report, relative to the restrictions and limitations on international students imposed by a few Western governments, while among the “top alternatives” are the educational institutions in the European countries of “Ireland, Italy, Germany, and The Netherlands,” over in Asia are in “Japan, Singapore, and the UAE.”

Vellat and Gnanatheeban on the other hand noted that available still are opportunities, such as the offerings for vocational education and training programmes as global demand for the technically erudite and skilled workforce – whether male or female – is on the continuous ascent in conjunction with the Fourth Industrial Revolution whereby ultra-sophisticated automations are the fundamentals.

Vellatt, embedded in the UAE education sector since her arrival in the country in 1998, said: “While there is still scope for improvement, we are on a growth trajectory. I state this because we need courses in agriculture, veterinary science, animal behaviour, and library science to name a few.”

Gnanaatheeban said: “Many Emiratis prefer to stay in the UAE to study Medicine. While there are limited options in Life Sciences, public universities in the UAE do offer a variety of courses in this field.”

They put on top of the rung the safety and security as well as the concentration of the UAE leadership on sustainable education in connection with global socio-economic-political headwinds and the students’ decision to stay right where their heart and hearth are, as the main reasons. Cost effectiveness, considering rising travel fares and dorm tenancy, as a contributor.

“Although many students apply to universities in the US, UK, and other countries and receive offers, they often decide to study in the UAE instead. Most of the universities which have expanded to large campuses provide attractive scholarships. The entry requirements are generally lower which helps many students.

“Many universities have started to offer inclusive support for students. However, I believe there is a strong need for more vocational-based universities with special needs; definitely an area that requires more focus because I have had encountered difficulties where to place my students with special needs,” added Gnanatheeban, also a Special Needs coordinator/Psychology teacher.

Vellat said: “Parents prioritise safety over all other priorities. They know that the UAE community is diverse, accepting and provides a conducive environment for study and offers post-graduate options.”

On the peace and order for incoming university students from nearby nations, she said: “They see the UAE as an excellent destination. Many universities and colleges provide internship opportunities making ‘learning by doing’ and work after study as huge draws. They want to live in the comfort of the tested and familiar and build networks with like-minded individuals for employment or for entrepreneurship.

“Furthering the discussion on the parents’ influence, Gnanatheeban said those who visit campuses “usually come back feeling happy with the campus, the friendly environment for students, and the global accreditation of all major courses. With the changing global situation, many parents see the UAE as a safe place for their children.”

According to her, parents are satisfied with the developments the higher educational sector has been into with regard to the employability of the future workforce which are their respective alumni because “the leading universities in the UAE have formed partnerships with various companies, which provide students with opportunities for campus recruitment and internships.”