U.S. Education: Shaping leaders of tomorrow

Educational institutions from the U.S. have established a strong base in the UAE to offer the best of practical and theoretical guidance to students from all over the globe, thus adding to its high quality of life, secure environment and rich diversity.

While the education system in the UAE covers kindergarten, primary, middle and high schools, college as well as universities, there are also vocational and technical institutions that help individuals enhance their skills and improve career opportunities.

The popularity of the U.S. curriculum is apparent from the number of schools and universities established within the country. Exclusive free zones centred on education providers such as Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City are home to a number of renowned U.S.-based campuses that promise an engaging experience for students. The DSIB School Inspection: Key Findings 2015-2016 report by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) shows that there are over 30 schools in Dubai alone that offer the U.S. curriculum, with an enrolment of 48,000 students.

The UAE Ministry of Education plays a key role in the development and monitoring of quality education in the country, which assists in maintaining high standards with a strong focus on student well-being. To establish an international excellence in education, notably in public schools, the Ministry of Education partners with the National Association of Elementary School Principals in the U.S. to audit schools, evaluate individual school system, and ensure ongoing professional development of principals and teachers for an enriched learning experience.

Rise in enrolment

Latest statistics from KHDA's Higher Education Guide show that there was a 64.3 per cent rise in the number of students enrolled in higher education institutions, marking an enrolment of 60,310 Emirati and expatriate students in 2015-2016 in Dubai alone.

According to a report by PriceWater Cooper (PwC), the rate of enrolment for tertiary studies in the UAE continues to rise, and forecasts the need for 42,000 additional seats by 2020 to cater to the growing student community.

In this regard, the UAE is expected to have around 120 more schools by the year 2026, which will bring total enrolment to 470,000, according to KHDA. This will include schools dedicated to the U.S. curriculum. Abdulla Al Karam, Director-General of KHDA, shared that this is in line to give parents an extended choice in children's education.

- farhana@khaleejtimes.com

Notable academic partnerships
Source: UAE Embassy in the U.S.

Harvard University Kennedy School of Government
The University is host to the Emirates Leadership Initiative (ELI), a five-year programme that promotes educational exchanges between the UAE and U.S., and helps train and empower emerging leaders and public officials across the UAE and the Middle East. It is a research and curricular collaboration between the Centre for Public Leadership (CPL) and the Middle East Initiative (MEI) at Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and the UAE Government.

New York University
NYU Abu Dhabi is the international campus of New York University based in the UAE's capital city. It is known to be the first comprehensive liberal arts and sciences campus with a robust research component to be operated abroad by a major U.S. university.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology continues to work with the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company to enhance the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi. The Institute, which focuses on clean energy technologies, is the region's first institution dedicated to research-driven graduate programmes.

Indiana University and Utah University
Both universities have partnered with Zayed University in the UAE to offer a master's degree in public administration.

University of Pennsylvania - Wharton School
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania offers the Strategic Thinking and Leadership programme in Dubai, as part of its Accelerated Development Programme certificate curriculum.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
With a global campus set in Dubai, Rochester Institute of Technology has been offering accredited courses and specialised international programmes to engage students in travel and study. Students also have a choice to transfer to other U.S. educational institutions.

New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
NYIT offers degree programmes at the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi. In 2007, NYIT-Abu Dhabi became the first American university in the UAE to be licensed by the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research.

Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company have an agreement for the development of the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi, which is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between industry and academia that brings world-class educational resources and research to the region.

Source: Khaleej Times