UAE

Many Indian students prefer to study in Western countries (continents such as Europe and America) for higher education. However, some students also opt for universities in Asian countries like China, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. On the other hand, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) and its universities are not very popular among students preparing for higher education. Nevertheless, Keralites are familiar with the U.A.E, a country that job seekers have relied on for many years and continue to do so. It is also one of the countries where many Indian students study, and work, as many people settle down here with their families. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of the Government of India (2022), the U.A.E has the third-highest number of Indian students, after the USA and Canada. Statistics show that there are over 160,000 Indian students in the U.A.E.

Why U.A.E?

It has been observed that the U.A.E is not a popular destination among Indian students who are looking to study at the university level. Unlike the UK and the US, the U.A.E did not have any universities recognized at the university level, except for a few institutions that offer plenty of employment opportunities. However, the U.A.E economy is not immune to the changes happening around the world. Our labour markets themselves have been transforming. The Fourth Industrial Revolution and the advances in technology have impacted the education and labour markets globally. Besides, the U.A.E must shift its focus away from the petroleum industry and towards other sustainable sources of income. To achieve greater technological and intellectual advancement in the future, the U.A.E has started to prioritize education and research. As part of these policies, the country has introduced schemes such as the Golden Visa to attract talented ‘brains’ from various fields.

Job opportunities: Although the U.A.E. is a small country in terms of size, it has a significant economy. Job opportunities are abundant in diverse fields, and many companies and organizations apart from the Middle East, such as the USA, China, and other Asian and European countries have established their headquarters in the U.A.E. Therefore, there is immense potential for employment in the country.

Multicultural learning environment: The cultural diversity in the U.A.E. can be a great advantage for students studying in Kerala. Many universities in the U.A.E. have faculty members from different countries, which creates a multicultural learning environment. Being exposed to people from various cultures can significantly contribute to a student's personal and professional growth, ultimately helping them in their career development. Additionally, the U.A.E. is a hub for professionals from diverse fields, including Malayalees, which makes it an excellent place to create a professional network.

Safe Place: The United Arab Emirates is a relatively safe country, especially in public places, compared to many other countries in the region. Women have made significant progress in the labour market, and public spaces are also accessible to people with disabilities. The UAE is a multicultural country with a developed economy, but it is not a democracy like India or the US. People who have grown up in our country may have a different experience due to the strict laws and legal systems there. Unlike other countries where people can obtain permanent residence or citizenship after studying or working for a while, it is not as easy in the UAE at present.

Golden Visa: A Golden Visa is a long-term visa that provides talented individuals from foreign countries with the opportunity to live, work, study, or enjoy special benefits in the U.A.E. Eligible people include investors, entrepreneurs, multi-discipline experts, scientists, students/graduates who excel in academics, humanitarians, eminent figures in society, and those who excel in their field of work. This includes doctors, researchers, creative individuals from the arts and cultural fields, athletes, experts in scientific fields, and those who excel in engineering-science fields (for example, medical research, genetics, artificial intelligence, big data as well as computer and software). In recent years, the U.A.E. has amended its immigration laws to propose the possibility of a golden visa which is a long-term visa for up to ten years. Those who use this opportunity do not require the sponsorship of another person or organization as in the case of a normal work visa. They can also take their family members and children to the country. Such policies aim to attract the best talents in various fields, bring them to the U.A.E., and utilize their skills for the development of the country.

Universities in the U.A.E.

There are two types of universities in the U.A.E. The first type is the indigenous universities, which were established within the country. The second type is the U.A.E. campuses of many foreign universities. Universities from countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and others operate in the U.A.E.

Indigenous universities

Indigenous universities in UAE possess excellent infrastructure and provide opportunities for higher education in various disciplines such as science, technology, business, and commerce. Most of these universities bring in experts in respective subject areas from foreign countries to teach in their institutes. These are the important Indigenous universities.

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University, Al Ain University, University of Sharjah, Abu Dhabi University, Ajman University, University of Dubai.

A University for Artificial Intelligence: The United Arab Emirates is working on several projects to improve education and development in Technology. As a part of this initiative, they have established the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), a university dedicated to research and learning in the field of artificial intelligence. The university is in Abu Dhabi and was founded in 2019. It offers opportunities to students who are interested in studying artificial intelligence and its associated advanced technologies. International students are encouraged to apply and can submit their applications online along with a detailed CV highlighting their academic standing, work experience, research publications, and programming/coding skills. A valid passport copy is also required. The university provides Master’s-PhD programs, and students must submit documents proving their English language skills. All full-time students who are admitted to the programs are eligible for a full scholarship, subject to certain conditions. Students must maintain their academic performance to continue receiving scholarships, stipends, and other benefits.

Foreign Universities
Foreign universities with campuses in the U.A.E also provide excellent academic facilities. Some important universities among these are:

American University of Sharjah, American University in Dubai, Canadian University Dubai, New York University Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS Pilani) is a prominent deemed university in India that has an offshore campus located in Dubai. In addition, the offshore campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), which is renowned for its technical studies in our country, is set to open soon in Abu Dhabi.

Student Visa

Students who wish to study in the U.A.E. have two options to obtain a visa. Firstly, they can obtain a visa under the sponsorship of a parent who is residing in the U.A.E. Secondly, they can obtain a visa under the sponsorship of a recognized university or college where they are studying. To obtain this visa, students must get admission to a recognized university. The student visa is typically issued for one year and can be extended as the study program progresses. Additionally, exceptional students may also have an opportunity to apply for a golden visa.

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