Stephen Wilkins
THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)
Population: 5.1 million
Main Cities: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Centres for international higher education: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah
Number of private higher education institutions: 69
(Source: CAA, 2011)
Number of international branch campuses: 40+
INTERNATIONAL BRANCH CAMPUSES IN THE UAE - EXAMPLES
Australia•University of Wollongong – est. 1993 - 4,352 students (2010-11)•Murdoch University - est. 2008
France•Paris-Sorbonne - est. 2006 - fully funded by Abu Dhabi government
Switzerland•École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) - est. 2009 in RAK
United Kingdom•Heriot-Watt University - est. 2005 •Middlesex University - est. 2005 - 1,700 students
United States•New York University - est. 2006 - fully funded by Abu Dhabi government
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION IN THE UAE
Large expatriate population with few alternatives for higher education in the UAE
Insufficient capacity in the state education system
Incentives and funding from UAE government
Source of revenue for institutions
Facilitates two-way movement of students between home and branch campuses
Meets the needs of local employers and economy
Contributes to raising quality of UAE higher education
POTENTIAL PERILS AND PITFALLS FOR INSTITUTIONS
oVery competitive market – failure to meet student enrolment targets
oFinancial loss – costs higher, revenues lower than expected
oQuality of students
oQuality of academic staff
oQuality assurance concerns – learning resources and assessment
oDifficult to offer a student experience that is comparable with the home campus
oUnpredictable regulatory regime
oPotential loss of reputation and damage to brand image
STUDY 1: Why do students choose to study at international branch campuses?
STUDY 2: How satisfied are students at international branch campuses with their overall student experience?
(Wilkins, Balakrishnan and Huisman – not yet published)
Questionnaire – hard copy or online version
Data obtained by students using social media and email
Sample sizes: 320 and 247
Several branch campuses – 3 US, 2 UK, 1 Australian
Undergraduate and postgraduate students
85-90% students studying Business/Management/Computer Science/Information Technology
P1 push factors from home country•Lack places•Low quality •Subjects not available•Economic/social problems
P2 push factors•Lack places•Low quality•Subjects not available•Ineligibility to enter state institutions
P1 pull factors•Reputation of country for quality•Reputation of institution•High rankings•English speaking country•Prospects international labour mkt.•Experience a new culture
P2 pull factors•Convenience•Country-specific advantages•Better than state institutions•Prospects in local labour market•More familiar/comfortable with culture/lifestyle in UAE
Home campus of Western university International branch campus
STUDENT SATISFACTION AT BRANCH CAMPUSESIN THE UAE
Indicator % students agreeing with
statementa
So far, my course has met all of my expectations
64.4%
I am very satisfied with my university and would definitely choose it again
66.5%
My choice of university was a wise decision
72.0%
My programme offers good value for money
65.6%
I would recommend my university to friends
67.3%
a Scores of 5-7 on the 7-point rating scale.
Programme effectiveness – 7.1 / 10
Quality of lecturers and teaching – 7.2 /10
Student learning – 7.1 / 10
Assessment and feedback – 7.2 / 10
Learning resources – 7.1 / 10
Use of technology – 7.1 / 10
Facilities and quality of social life – 7.2 / 10
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
oNeed more contact with lecturers (17.9%)
oDo not receive detailed and helpful feedback on my work (20.7%)
oLecturers not sympathetic when I have problems (18.7%)
oMy university does not provide a lot of leisure activities and entertainment for students (17.5%)
oMy university does not have a lot of clubs and societies for students (15.9%)
oThere is not a lively social scene on campus (15.8%)
oMy university does not have a good careers advice and internships service (16.6%)
CONCLUSION
Generally high levels of student satisfaction across all UAE branch campuses represented in the survey
Student satisfaction scores in this study lower than similar studies in UK (e.g. Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2011)