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Domestic Education Policy
Today, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a nation undergoing tremendous and profound changes. A federation of states, UAE has attracted substantial amounts of foreign direct investment that have assisted in building some of the most modern cities in the world. UAE has also tried to diversify its economy so that it is not solely dependent on oil revenues. Currently, oil accounts for approximately 37 percent of UAE’s nominal gross domestic product.72
New infrastructure and political stability has attracted new business and families from around the world. From 1995 to 2005 the population of UAE increased 75 percent due to a huge influx of foreign expatriate workers, with only 22 percent of the total population being UAE nationals. This population increase has placed a tremendous burden on the education system.
UAE offers free education from kindergarten through university level to all of its natural citizens. The UAE government policy on education is progressive and has the goal of achieving ‘Emiratisation.’73 UAE recognizes the dependence of its economic growth on expatriate workers and need to develop a proud, educated citizenry that can take leadership positions in the economic expansion.
Privatization of Education in UAE
The tremendous increase in demand for education in UAE gave the government little choice but to allow for privatization of education. In many cases, expatriate workers primarily employed in the financial services sector demand schools with international standards for their children.
Many of these schools utilize curriculum standards from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, and the International Baccalaureate. In many cases, multinational educational management corporations such as SABIS International are running schools.
International Education in Dubai
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| American University of Dubai campus http://www.flickr.com/photos/liz/6314937/ |
Perhaps the most innovative urban planning education initiative undertaken is Dubai’s International Academic City (DIAC). The world’s only free zone to higher education, DIAC currently hosts 32 international universities from countries such as the USA, Australia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Belgium, the UK, and France, teaching over 12,000 students.74
DIAC is part of a long-term economic strategy to develop the regions talent pool, to attract foreign academics and students, as well as provide UAE nationals with diverse educational opportunities.75
Trying to transform itself into a knowledge-based economy, Dubai has also created centers such as Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Internet City in an effort to bring together knowledge, education, information, and talent. Many of educational initiatives taking place within Dubai are public-private partnerships with international schools or corporations. Because of these elements, education in Dubai is both global and international.
Click here to watch a dialogue on the Middle East, amongst students from The American University in Cairo, Education City in Doha, and The LEVIN Institute in NYC.
73 http://www.austrade.gov.au/Education-to-the-United-Arab-Emirates/default.aspx
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