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)