<span>Hearing-impaired Emirati</span><span>s say they can now "dream of a brighter future" as they prepare to graduate from university.</span> <span>The </span><span>class of 30 students</span><span> from Al Ain University of Science and Technology will receive </span><span>degrees in applied psychology, applied sociology and special education </span><span>next month, four years after starting their studies</span><span>.</span> <span>The university set up bachelor's degrees</span><span> tailored for students with hearing difficulties as part of a </span><span>strategy to widen</span><span> </span><span>access to higher education</span><span>.</span> <span>The courses</span><span> were </span><span>free to attend</span><span> and were partly funded by</span><span> the Ministry of Education.</span> <span>The initiative</span><span> has proved such a success that a further 40 undergraduates have enrolled </span><span>on the courses.</span> <span>Dr Noor Aldeen Atatreh, chancellor of Al Ain University of Science and Technology</span><span>, said many </span><span>UAE residents with impaired hearing would find higher education more affordable if they were able to stay in the UAE.</span><span> </span> <span>"Most of these students used to go abroad and </span><span>faced a heavy financial burden to complete their higher education. Some of them had to leave education because of the </span><span>costs," </span><span>he said.</span> <span>“We are going to graduate the first batch of hearing-impaired students in Al Ain soon and we received so many requests from people that we managed to get another 40 students at the Abu Dhabi campus.” </span> <span>The initiative is a partnership between Al Ain University of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Education and the UAE Deaf Association, which </span><span>was launched in Al Ain in 2015. </span> <span>It</span><span> has since been extended to the Abu Dhabi campus. </span> <span>The university aims to eventually offer courses for students with a variety of special needs.</span> <span>"We give back to society through various channels and this is one of them. We must not restrict ourselves to financial aid," </span><span>Dr Atatreh said.</span> <span>“The workforce is ruthless and competitive, so students need to be equipped with the right degree.</span> <span>"This specialisation will be important to these students and will enhance their chances of getting proper jobs</span><span>. </span> <span>“They will not be restricted to being receptionists or taking a desk job but will have wider choices.”</span> <span>The students follow the same curriculum as all other undergraduates</span><span> but each tutor is accompanied by an interpreter using sign language during lectures and seminars. </span> <span>“This must be a national effort. I urge all academics to start such initiatives and try to innovate to service this community,” Dr Atatreh said.</span> <span>“I urge the government to allocate more money. Other special needs like autism also need extra support.”</span> <span>Hamad Al Darmaki, a 46-year-old Emirati student, will </span><span>graduate</span><span> next month</span><span>.</span> <span>“I thank Allah. I did not dream of finishing my graduation but I liked to study.</span> <span>“I enjoyed learning with the help of an interpreter, and I had the chance to meet new people and make new friends through these four years.”</span> <span>Mr Darmaki has started a job at </span><span>Injazat Data Systems, an information technology company in Al Ain.</span><span> </span> <span>Emirati student Arwa Al</span><span> Senani, 34</span><span>, said the course had opened up new possibilities.</span> <span>“I dream that all universities will allow impaired students to study in different disciplines and to have the opportunity to pursue graduate and postgraduate studies,” she said.</span> <span>“I enjoyed learning among my peers and this has opened up new possibilities and made me dream of a brighter future for myself and all impaired students.</span>