The UAE risks undermining established universities by allowing too many new institutions to open, it has been claimed.
Cut-throat competition between institutions could force closures, ultimately reducing choice for students, according to the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD).
Concern was also voiced that not enough was being done to protect the overall quality of courses.
The comments came as the UAE embarks on a huge expansion of higher education. Dubai and Ras al Khaimah are each developing free zones with up to 40 institutions to serve close to 40,000 students, while Abu Dhabi already has the Paris-Sorbonne Abu Dhabi and, from 2010, will host New York University Abu Dhabi.
Raymi van der Spek, UOWD vice president, said: "Competition is important. It helps everybody to improve. But there have got to be some checks and balances.
"We run the risk that some of the new universities, in their haste to establish, undermine what the more established institutions are trying to achieve."
The sector has already seen casualties. The University of Southern Queensland closed its Dubai Knowledge Village campus in 2005 after a year, and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise University shut down recently, also after a year. Some universities have struggled to attract students. George Mason University introduced degree courses at its Ras al Khaimah campus in 2006 with only 40 students, a fifth of the number expected. Student numbers have grown, but recruitment remains "challenging".
Mr van der Spek said there could be further closures if "the rate at which institutions are being licensed" was too high.
He added that it was an "unhealthy situation for institutions to come and go".
"Universities are meant to be about the long-term. We're meant to be here for hundreds of years, not tens of months - that's not positive for anybody."
The development of higher education free zones has led to changes in the regulatory system for private universities.
Earlier this year saw the launch of the University Quality Assurance International Board (UQAIB), which licences branch campuses in the emirate's free zones - mostly Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City - and ensures they maintain the standards of their parent institutions.
However, free zone-based universities have not been obliged to apply to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for a licence or to its Commission for Academic Accreditation for approval of their courses.
Mr van der Spek suggested that quality standards at non-accredited institutions might not be as high as accredited universities such as UOWD.
"There would be graduates from a number of institutions licensed here that we feel would not meet the quality we would expect."
Because it was CAA-accredited, Mr van der Spek said, UOWD had to prove there was demand from students and employers before launching new programmes. This restricted accredited universities from expanding their subject range.
"There's a great deal of merit in looking at an approach that allows established institutions to broaden their offerings before allowing new institutions to come in and offer the same thing. Build on your strengths," he said.
The risks of allowing established campuses to expand were less than those linked to the opening of new institutions, he said.
If an established campus launched a programme that was not popular, it was "not a substantive risk" because the institution had other courses to generate revenue. But if a new university with fewer courses cannot attract students, "it is very expensive to keep the doors open". "It's easier for them to cut and run," he added
Prof Robert Whelan, UOWD president, said some students taking courses at non-CAA accredited institutions had not been warned their degree would not be accepted by a CAA-accredited institution for postgraduate study, or by a public sector employer.
"It is important that the restrictions are clear and no student is misled. Everyone would say they provide the guidance, but there are students who complete degrees without apparently being aware," he said.
Prof Whelan added that, like the UAE, Australia had a mix of federal and state-level regulations for higher education, and so UOWD could help resolve problems linked to this issue.
"In any federal/state system round the world, there are such conflicts. It can only be resolved by getting links between the federal and state level," he said. "There might be clashes at different levels and we would be very keen to resolve this. We've probably got some experience that would help."
A senior lecturer at another university in Knowledge Village, who asked not to be named, said he, too, was concerned about the number of institutions set to open.
"If they don't control that issue they will have dozens of universities fighting for a relatively small student population," he said.
"Everyone is a bit worried about that. You will have so many different institutions and an unknown amount of demand."
However, Prof Brendan Mullan, executive director of Michigan State University Dubai, said he "welcomed" the opening of more universities.
"I would see the possibilities of collaboration. I welcome the opportunity to learn from others. I feel the competition is not necessarily to be feared," he said.
Dr Peter Marsh, the deputy vice chancellor of the University of Bolton, which will open a branch campus in Ras al Khaimah this month, said economic growth was typically accompanied by "exponential growth" in higher education, and so people should not be overly concerned about oversupply.
"Countries that are seeking to develop their economies will continue to need a high level supply of educated workers to support their development. I can see the Ras al Khaimah development supporting the growth of the knowledge economy.
"There are a lot of sectors that will develop in this area that will need high-level quality personnel."
Similarly, Dr Raed Awamleh, director of Middlesex University Dubai, said he was "not really concerned" there could be too many institutions opening, saying that having more universities was "really positive".
"It does create a community of higher education, which I think is necessary. It will encourage co-operation," he said.
He cautioned however that universities opening branches should take a "strategic view" and "have realistic expectations and predictions".
"What happens sometimes is that people see the fast development and they think higher education can follow the same model. It doesn't work," he said.
"If financial returns are one of your objectives, that would be wrong. I think those that have done that have adjusted. They have come to the view it's a long-term project."
dbardsley@thenational.ae
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Revibe%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hamza%20Iraqui%20and%20Abdessamad%20Ben%20Zakour%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20UAE%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Refurbished%20electronics%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunds%20raised%20so%20far%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410m%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%2C%20Resonance%20and%20various%20others%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday (UAE kick-off times)
Watford v Leicester City (3.30pm)
Brighton v Arsenal (6pm)
West Ham v Wolves (8.30pm)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (10.45pm)
Sunday
Newcastle United v Sheffield United (5pm)
Aston Villa v Chelsea (7.15pm)
Everton v Liverpool (10pm)
Monday
Manchester City v Burnley (11pm)
Final scores
18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)
-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)
-10: Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), Chris Paisley (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG), Fabrizio Zanotti (PAR)
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
More on Quran memorisation:
Profile of Tamatem
Date started: March 2013
Founder: Hussam Hammo
Based: Amman, Jordan
Employees: 55
Funding: $6m
Funders: Wamda Capital, Modern Electronics (part of Al Falaisah Group) and North Base Media
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How it works
Booklava works on a subscription model. On signing up you receive a free book as part of a 30-day-trial period, after which you pay US$9.99 (Dh36.70) per month to gain access to a library of books and discounts of up to 30 per cent on selected titles. You can cancel your subscription at any time. For more details go to www.booklava.com
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
Sinopharm vaccine explained
The Sinopharm vaccine was created using techniques that have been around for decades.
“This is an inactivated vaccine. Simply what it means is that the virus is taken, cultured and inactivated," said Dr Nawal Al Kaabi, chair of the UAE's National Covid-19 Clinical Management Committee.
"What is left is a skeleton of the virus so it looks like a virus, but it is not live."
This is then injected into the body.
"The body will recognise it and form antibodies but because it is inactive, we will need more than one dose. The body will not develop immunity with one dose," she said.
"You have to be exposed more than one time to what we call the antigen."
The vaccine should offer protection for at least months, but no one knows how long beyond that.
Dr Al Kaabi said early vaccine volunteers in China were given shots last spring and still have antibodies today.
“Since it is inactivated, it will not last forever," she said.
Porsche Taycan Turbo specs
Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors
Transmission: two-speed
Power: 671hp
Torque: 1050Nm
Range: 450km
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More from Neighbourhood Watch:
So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Final round
25 under - Antoine Rozner (FRA)
23 - Francesco Laporta (ITA), Mike Lorenzo-Vera (FRA), Andy Sullivan (ENG), Matt Wallace (ENG)
21 - Grant Forrest (SCO)
20 - Ross Fisher (ENG)
19 - Steven Brown (ENG), Joakim Lagergren (SWE), Niklas Lemke (SWE), Marc Warren (SCO), Bernd Wiesberger (AUT)
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
