By Mohammed Shafeeq
IANS
Hyderabad : More and more Indian students are seeking to pursue higher studies in the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), one of the most prestigious in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This includes not just students from India but also those of Indian origin living in the UAE, who now no longer feel the need to go to the West or return to India for studies.
"Indian students form our largest intake at the postgraduate and undergraduate levels," Nicholas van der Walt, CEO of UWOD, told IANS from Dubai.
Established in 1993, UOWD is the first Australian university and one of the few in Dubai to be accredited by the ministry of higher education and scientific research.
Located at Dubai Knowledge Village, which houses several foreign universities, UOWD has over 2,500 students from 80 countries. About 35 percent of them are of Indian origin.
"Graduating with a degree from UAE enhances their job prospects in the region. Employers know they are familiar with the local business environment," he said, explaining why Indians chose Dubai as an educational destination.
"Many Indian students also have families and relatives in the region, which helps them adjust to university life here.
"In today's global environment, it is essential for students to have international experience to enhance their career prospects, specially given the Indian economy's increasing global participation," Walt noted.
Apart from offering graduate and postgraduate programmes in commerce, computer science, MBA and marketing, UOWD also provides students the opportunity to transfer their credits to the Australia campus.
Walt said the university's postgraduate programme was unique as over 60 percent of students were employed too.
These students attend lectures for four hours in the evening. Many of them come from nearby emirates like Abu Dhabi also, he said.
UOWD also maintains ties with international firms, which directly recruit students.
"The university has the highest level of industry engagement in the UAE through activities like monthly workshops conducted by business leaders," he said.
Walt revealed that UOWD plans to establish a campus in Abu Dhabi though the university already has non-degree training programmes in countries throughout the Middle East.
The Dubai Knowledge Village, established in 2003, has brought together 20 leading universities and 350 training centres from around the world into one common complex.