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The Head Start handbook turns five! How incredible this journey has been... SIGNATURE MEDIA FZ LLE P. O. Box 49784, Dubai, UAE Tel: 04 3978847/3795678 Email: info@signaturemediame.com Exclusive Sales Agent Signature Media LLC P.O. Box 49784, Dubai, UAE Publisher: Jason Verhoven jason@signaturemediame.com Director: Deepak Chandiramani deepak@signaturemediame.com Art Director: B Raveendran
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In 2009, when Counselling Point, my counselling center was five, I never imagined I could do the things I’m doing today – serving as a visiting counsellor at BITS Dubai Campus, facilitating large educational seminars and fairs, mentoring University students and future leaders through UK based NGO Common Purpose, being featured in The National newspaper in their ‘Portrait of the Nation’ segment, being invited to a ‘Counsellor Fly in’ to visit some prestigious universities in Florida, addressing and collaborating with fellow counsellors at KHDA’s ‘What Works’ Conferences, or being invited to contribute to a Think Tank by the U.A.E Government’s General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare - hard not to be amazed and humbled. The journey has had its ups and downs but it’s been a brilliant learning experience and the young that I aim to reach out to, are my greatest teachers. This issue of Head Start features celebrities and their educational qualifications a topic suggested by some of my students, it gives a low down on upcoming careers in the UAE and beyond, demystifies psychometric tests, another subject my students wanted to know more about and shares tips on crafting an amazing college essay or personal statement and updated information on various edu-destinations. Student mobility rates, changing global dynamics, educational landscapes, career trends, and emerging careers makes me realise that the future is brimming with possibilities. The myriad options to explore multiple careers, edudestinations and acquire professional prowess will leave you spoilt for choice. This handbook aims to help young adults and their parents prepare for the future. In recent times the world has seen strife, war, martyrs, killing of innocent victims, refugee crises, starvation deaths, senseless violence and financial crises. Yet, through it all, I believe and hope... there will be a better tomorrow. Education is an aspiration for improvement, both of the self and the world. And educators carry the special burden of seeing this ideal through. In The Guardian’s “Inside a Syrian refugee camp: ‘Education is the only hope for children’, Maggie Tookey talks about delivering education there, amid the shells and shifting shadows. Majd Haaj Hassan and his brother Walid Haaj Hassan expresses indomitable hope in the article “Why we fled our homeland: eight refugees at Budapest’s Keleti station tell their life stories”, Majd Haaj Hasan states, “I want to go back to my country and teach people’. Whatever our age, culture or station in life, I truly believe, that through education, collaboration and mutual understanding, our children will see better days. I have to thank my greatest critics and staunchest supporters – my husband Mohan and son Avinash – for their amazing patience, my mother Subhadra and brother Karun for their thought provoking insights and nieces, especially Sreevidya, for their unique ‘penwomanship’, ingenious ideas and candid comments. My marketing team Jason, Deepak, designer Ravi, and well wishers especially our advertisers, a big thank you for your unstinting support. I sign off with my favourite quote by Robert Byrne: “The purpose of life is a life of purpose”. I believe I have found my purpose. Go beyond your comfort zone to find yours...
Rema Menon V
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Yousef, visualising sending his children to the Ivy League. If you can visualise it, we can help you get there. Education Loans Savings & Investments
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2016
C O N T E N T S Career Planning 08 Top Jobs of the Future 14 Finding Your Element Using Psychometrics 18 Educated Celebs Change the Game 26 Testing times 30 Making the Right Choice Dr. Ayoub Kazim 32 Accreditation Career Specialisations 40 Professional Qualification Edu Destinations 50 UAE 56 SAT Prep 60 USA 68 Canada 84 UK 90 Australia 98 Malaysia 106 Germany 110 Switzerland 114 India 120 New Zealand 124 Singapore Education in the UAE 128 UAE Schools 134 Crafting a winning personal statement Technology in the classroom 138 Edutech 148 My page
Top Jobs of the
with the times. Choosing a career is partly about knowing what you’re good at, and finding roles that match your talents. But the quest is at a disadvantage without information about where the future opportunities lie – to see what roles are actually out there, and what their prospects are looking into the future. To this end, it is important to define the basic guidelines for judging an employment opportunities. The main parameters are:Pay: How much do people earn on average in the job? Job opportunities: How much is the job expected to grow in terms of the number of people employed, and which jobs have the greatest recruitment demand? Business need: Which jobs do employers say are difficult to fill because of lack of candidates with the right skills and experience? Besides these basic criteria, the individual must also ensure that she has the educational background that will qualify her as a credible candidate Rick Newman, the author of Rebounders: How Winners Pivot From Setback To Success, states that it still pays to have a college degree, even if you’re worried about the expense. Consulting firm McKinsey & Company predicts that by 2020, there will be a shortage of 1.5 million college grads, which means employers will continue to place a high Today, learning opportunities are better, but the premium on better-educated concept of a job for life no longer exists. Your track workers. And as the Law of record is expected to reflect not just credibility but Marginal Utility states, where there is a shortage of supply there also dynamism. So, it’s no surprise that choosing a will always be a greater demand. career path can feel daunting. A recent US News Report states that “the most successful people tend to be lifelong learners he complex career paths created by the who develop new skills long after they graduate technological and tertiary developments of from college or complete a training program. In the job market make it harder still to codify fact, building multiple skill sets – such as analytical a set of skills and qualifications that guarantee expertise combined with a liberal-arts background, fulfilling employment. Jobs that exist now will be or scientific knowledge with a law degree – can be completely re-shaped in just a few years, making a terrific way to differentiate yourself in a cluttered it important to change the mode of preparation job market. Plus, the most lasting skills are often
Future
T 8
those that can be transferred from one field to another as the economy ebbs and flows”. The Healthcare and IT scenes see a lot of scope for expansion and innovative employment.
He alth care professional The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and UK commission for employment and skills project that positions in healthcare and social assistance, professional and business services, and construction will represent more than half of the 20.5 million new jobs it expects to be created by 2020. Furthermore, as Baby Boomers get older, and with the dramatic changes in the health insurance market, employment in the health-care sector is primed to take off in the near future Doctors
“A big theme affecting the job market is the aging population,” says Joshua Wright, of Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI), a labor market research firm. The medical field has a constant demand for specialists like allergists, dermatologists, and neurologists. The medical sector is poised to continue its rapid growth in the next few years. The expansion of both the public and private healthcare sectors leads to an increasing number of specialist areas and an ever increasing need for physicians and surgeons. Diagnostic Technicians
Not a fan of the scalpel? Noninvasive procedures to check out your insides are not only more popular with patients, the lower costs and relative simplicity also make them better options for insurers. And with advancing technology, they can be applied in more cases and used in more places, such as doctors’ offices and medical labs outside of hospitals. Sonographers operate special imaging equipment to peer inside patients and assist physicians in assessing medical conditions.You can get an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in sonography to get into this field. If you’re already working in a related job, such as a radiation therapist, you may be able to transition into this role through a college’s or hospital’s one-year certificate program. Other specialized certifications, such as in fetal echocardiography or musculoskeletal sonography, can make you a more attractive job candidate. Similarly, Radiological technologists – also known
as x-ray technicians - explain procedures to patients, make images for physicians to interpret, and keep records of patients’ treatments. Government economists expect job growth for x-ray technicians to be faster than the average for all careers. Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists
Many more workers will be needed in this field to care for victims of heart attacks and strokes and to lead them through rehabilitation. Rehabilitative services see a lot of scope and, demand for occupational therapists is also expected to grow at a clip of 23.1% over the next decade. While physical therapists focus on rehabilitation of major motor functions, occupational therapists help ill or disabled patients develop or recover the ability to independently perform daily tasks, such as dressing or feeding themselves. Speech therapists, specifically, are needed to treat the growing number of patients whose language abilities have been affected by health conditions associated with aging, such as hearing loss or stroke. Greater attention to treating children with language disorders, such as stuttering, also drives demand for these professionals, about half of whom are employed by schools. Apart from this, the greater awareness and development of educational approaches for students with special needs is leading to the expansion of this educational sector. Registered Nurses
This already robust workforce – the fifth-largest of all occupations – is expected to add nearly 450,000 new positions by 2024. Advancing technology, greater focus on preventive care and an aging population will mean a growing number of patients requiring care in hospitals, doctors’offices, long-term-care facilities and even private homes. Becoming a registered nurse requires either a bachelor’s of science in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing or a diploma from an accredited nursing program (which usually takes two to three years).You’ll need a license to practice, as well, not to mention reserves of compassion, patience and emotional stability. Medical Health Managers
They plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care 9
organizations, public health agencies, and similar institutions. With the rise in demand for health services, and improvement in medical technology, more administrators and qualified technicians will be needed to run health care facilities. Health services managers may oversee the functions of an entire medical practice or facility – as a nursing home administrator, for example – or a specific department, as a clinical manager for, say, nursing, surgery or physical therapy. Health information managers work specifically on maintaining patient records and keeping them secure, an increasingly demanding task with the shift to digital. A bachelor’s in health administration is the ticket to this profession, but a master’s in health services, long-term-care administration or public health is also common among these workers.
Information Technology related careers Info Security analyst
Increasing digital dangers are pushing state and local governments, and companies of all stripes to hire more white hats to beef up their information security. You can also find new opportunities in hospitals and doctors’ offices, where the move to keep more digital records pushes the need to protect patients’ privacy. To get started developing and implementing measures to safeguard an organization’s computer network, you likely need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, programming or another tech-related field. You may also need at least five years of work experience, perhaps as a network or systems administrator, to secure a management role. A master’s of business administration in information systems can help you stand out in the applicant pool. Becoming a certified information systems security professional can boost your pay. Software Developers
The BLS projects that technology will continue to be a lucrative and growing sector over the next few years, and there will be strong demand for people who can write the basic software that technology depends on. Analytics professional
Analytics is a profession that spans across various industries, from healthcare and banking to e-commerce and marketing to information 10
technology and biotechnology. The role requires analysing a business strategy and streamlining the organisational structure. If you plan to pursue this profession, a Bachelor’s or a Master’s degree in business or finance will help. Systems Analysts
They are the ones who analyze and improve information systems. Like construction and health care, computer technology is a field projected to continue growing at a good rate for the foreseeable future. This is a nerd’s world, and we’re all benefiting from it. With the computerization of everything from phones and coffeemakers to cars, you’d be hard-pressed to find a business that doesn’t rely on computers in one way or another. That puts the folks who run the computers in very high demand. Computer systems analysts ensure that organizations’ technological needs are met and are constantly improving with the advancements and demands of the increasingly connected world. While tech skills can also help you stand out as a job candidate, John Reed, senior executive director of specialized staffing firm Robert Half Technology says “More than I’ve ever seen in the past, employers are looking for a well-rounded tech person with collaboration skills, business acumen and problem-solving skills,”. On your resume, emphasize team projects you’ve worked on. App Developers
Why become an app developer? The proliferation of mobile technology is driving demand for development of new applications. According to Robert Half Technology, more than 70% of organizations are implementing some kind of mobile strategy, and they all need the tech professionals who can get the job done. Systems software developers, who create the operating systems for computers, are also poised for prosperity; from nearly 400,000 jobs currently, the workforce is projected to grow 21.5% by 2024.
Other important careers Lawyers
There has been a shift in the legal field to using more paralegals and legal assistants to do basic work. As the economy continues to improve and overall business picks up, there will be a
proportionally increasing demand for highly paid, credentialed lawyers. As the emphasis on global business and trade grows, organizations will be looking for individuals who will have the education, experience, and skill set to navigate areas like international law, tax codes, work and environmental regulations, and even ethics. Accountants and auditors
They primarily analyze financial records and ensure compliance with financial requirements and standards. In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, the government responded with new financial regulations. An army of accountants will be needed to meet the new standards. General and Operation Managers
They direct and coordinate the operations and staff of organizations. Operations managers are asset of workers needed in almost every industry. As the economy continues to grow, organizations will need these employees to keep things running smoothly. Construction Project Managers
A construction project manager is the linchpin of a major construction project. One of the most senior workers on the team, they know the finest details of their project. Nothing escapes their eye for detail and desire to get work done on time, on budget and to the highest quality and safety standards. Nothing gets past construction project managers. They develop complex plans for major construction projects, setting out timescales, costs and resources. They then take responsibility for the execution of the plan, setting up and managing a project team, negotiating with suppliers for materials and services and resolving problems as they occur. Project managers are also the point of contact for clients, reporting directly on progress to them on a regular basis. Mechanical Engineers
Engineering today is a highly skilled and technical industry spanning a vast array of disciplines. Crucially, it combines the very latest scientific developments with hands-on, practical knowhow to make big ideas a reality. Mechanical engineering is especially attractive because it is the key to any economy, with engineers at the
forefront of designing everything from better forms of green energy and zero emission engines to the latest breed of nuclear power stations. British engineering is still seen as some of the best in the world, and there are great opportunities for those who want to be part of such a cutting edge discipline. Much of the work as a mechanical engineer is highly technical – ranging from turning research ideas into technical plans, using computer aided design/modelling programs, to carrying out surveys of mechanical systems and equipment to see if they’re working properly, to overseeing maintenance programmes and quality control. Entrepreneurship
According to Rick Newman entrepreneurship is often overlooked, but the need for innovators running their own businesses could be more important than ever in 2020. Forecasters expect strong growth in traditional businesses such as used-car dealers, hair and nail salons, pet grooming, and office services, which means anybody able to come up with better, cheaper ways to serve customers will reap a windfall. Technology startups will no doubt keep changing the way consumers work and live. As Newman states,“Nobody really knows what the next iPad, Twitter, or Pinterest will be – except, perhaps, some entrepreneur who’s dreaming about it right now. He or she may have a bigger impact on life in 2020 than anything the forecasters see coming”. That about sums up our predictions for the coming year. Readers should note that in researching career choices it makes sense to use all available information, exploring a wide range of options to ensure the right decisions are taken, matching personal interests to viable future opportunities. Career choice is a personal thing. One person’s dream job may well seem a nightmare to others. This piece is intended to assist young people make these important career decisions. For parents, teachers and careers advisors, we hope this article will help highlight a number of jobs that offer fantastic opportunities to young people making these decisions. Source: www.bls.gov; USNews.com; checkoutacollege.com; www. gov.uk; www.thelabel.in 11
Finding Your Element –– Sir Ken Robinson , the renowned author and international advisor on education, defines the ‘element’ as that point when natural Aptitude meets personal passion. It is the point where people are inspired to the fullest and achieve at their optimum potential. Tara Pillai & Kalpana Deepak Varsity Connections
T
oday creativity, innovation, collaboration and critical thinking are at the forefront of the work environment and companies look at hiring graduates who have specific skills outside of academics and who have located their element. In a recent report in The Huffington Post UK that appeared on the 4th of August, 2015, Ernest & Young, the biggest graduate recruiter in the UK, has dropped the qualification criteria in their hiring process and have started using tests to gauge candidate suitability saying there is “no evidence” that success at university correlates with achievement in later life. While credentials will still be looked at, they will not pose a barrier to getting a foot in the door’ Increasingly Universities are also adopting a holistic approach in their admissions process, looking
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for students with good grades as well as a host of other non scholastic skills. Hence, finding ones element or aptitude and interests becomes essential for students and young graduates in order to be ready for the Future. In the 4 step career planning process, self evaluation is the absolute first step as it is important to not only know one’s areas of strength but also one’s challenges as well. This then becomes the basis of making informed choices starting at that critical period in a student’s life where she/he needs to choose subjects for high school. How does one measure skills or aptitudes, interest & personality? Psychometrics is the science of measuring and analysing aspects of a person’s aptitude , interests or personality in a statistically valid and quantifiable manner.
–– Using Psychometrics Although there is clear evidence of the growing importance of psychometrics in education, this area is somewhat neglected. With course work, tests and projects to complete, come decision time, the onus of subject selection falls squarely on the student/parent. Psychometrics in EducationHow it can help. Very often students and parents fall back on the “tried & tested” academic scores method. High scorers are often encouraged to choose Science over Commerce or Arts streams without taking personal compatibility into consideration. In addition the students may not know enough of potential careers or trending careers to make subject choices. In
such a scenario, psychometric tests can provide some guidance and improve the candidate’s chances of choosing the right field. Psychometrics analyses 3 key measures. Motivation which refer to the student’s cluster of interests, Aptitude his /her inherent potential and Personality, aspects of behavior. These provide valuable insight on a range of measures that are often not tested as part of the school curriculum. Finding your Element: How to discover your Talents and Passions and Transform your life. Every occupation or career requires certain aptitudes/skill sets. With years of research backing,
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psychometric tests are now able to isolate and measure accurately, a complete spectrum of aptitudes, interests and personality characteristics associated with different careers. Mapping those to the students profile gives a clear picture as to which careers would be a better fit to the student . Psychometrics identify the range of skill sets of the student and effectively compares or matches them with the skill requirements for various careers. It often highlights inherent skills within us which we have not recognized due to the fact that we may not have had opportunities which required us to use those skills. 16
For example, T has exceptional creative skills. He can create pictures, form ideas in his mind and bring them out as an art form, navigate using maps and his mom always asks him to pack their bags when going on a vacation as he is able to accurately judge which bags might be too big or too small. Simple indicators like that point to T having excellent Spatial skills. Spatial skills are important in many fields of study - Math, Sciences, Engineering, Art and Design all involve the use of spatial skills. An engineer needs spatial and 3 Dimensional skills in order to visualize the internal workings
of various parts of a problem, machine etc., a radiologist needs spatial skills to interpret the images on an X ray. T therefore might be suited to those careers. However it is important to bear in mind how high the spatial skills are and if he has other high skills as well. Lets look at some of the benefits of doing a Psychometrics Test They identify untapped potential and provide clarity in the all important step of Self Evaluation. The results of the tests helps students set up a career plan, to make future educational choices by clearly identifying skills sets. They are useful for /examining discrepancies between ability and school performance. The tests play an important role in encouraging young people to focus on realistic and achievable goals. Guidance counsellors and teachers can use the results to help and advise students and their parents as they prepare to make important life and career decisions. Very often we hear students tell us that they don’t need to take a Psychometric Assessment as they already know what they want to do in life in terms of a career. The world however is moving at a fantastic pace andnew careers emerge every few years, some even replacing existing stable career paths. Keeping in mind the high rate of evolution, students will enter the job environment 4 to 5 years after high school and may find a very different scenario to what they had envisioned. Understanding one’s skills will give them the confidence to approach new careers with conviction of success. Career Planning is not a linear process and requires a lot of introspection and research. It must be built on a process and the absolute starting point is Self evaluation. Psychometrics is a fantastic tool that can help you in this all important step. If you haven’t done one yet, its not too late. Find your element! Sources: *Finding your Element : How to discover your Talents and Passions and Transform your life. **http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/04/ernstand-young-removes-degree-classification-entrycriteria_n_7932590.html 17
Dr. Sreevidya Surendran
Educated Celebs O Change the Game
ur grandfathers lived in an age where ones passion was irrelevant. For our parents following one’s passion was a luxury. Our generation is doubly blessed in that we are not only encouraged to have passions and follow them, we are also allowed to have more than one. To give a vocation its due requires dedicated attention and this usually translates into further studies in a field of choice. However, higher education has faced criticism for its alleged restrictions on creativity. The structured mien of a college education has become associated with a lack of passion or an inability to succeed rather than the opposite.
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Accounts of famous, successful college drop outs have become favorite justifications to fore go further studies. Why study when you can be successful without it? But the presence of a legion of stars tilting for academic excellence despite their success, poses a counter argument to this perspective. Conscientious celebs have leant higher education a glamour it was lacking and emphasizing that you can now have your cake, eat it, and post pictures on instagram while we are at it. An apt example is the case of Emma Watson who, while riding high on the success of the Harry Potter franchise, chose to stick with her college plans and went on to not only graduate from Brown with a degree in English Literature, but also become a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. Watson’s academic 20
aspirations are indicative of a shift in the mentality regarding college education. Higher Education is no longer only a means to an end but a thirst for knowledge in and for itself. It is possible to use your education to further success and just as effective to use fame to further ones education. Danica McKeller, the famous child star who played Winnie in the classic ‘Wonder Years’ went on to graduate from UCLA with a degree in Mathematics. Mckellar is a classic example of a celebrity who did not let her fame ruin her chances of optimizing on all her strengths. Not only did foster her acting career by enrolling for weekend classes in acting at the Lee Strasberg Institute, she went on to excel in her chosen discipline. She even has a theorem named after her- the Chayes-McKellar-Winn
theorem. Singer and actress Ariana Grande continues to have study materials sent to her from her high school so that she does not lose out on her education while pursuing her showbiz career. Why miss out on anything? We are seeing a new brand of celebrity that recognizes that an education can enhance their skills and give depth to their visions. Mark Zuckerburg’s post-drop-out success is largely credited to his experimental network he betatested on the Harvard student community. Steve Jobs ascribed the innovative success of the Mac on the calligraphy courses he ‘dropped into’ after he dropped out. The message of Jobs’commencement address at Stanford, “Stay hungry, stay foolish”, can be modified to fit the mind set of this new brand of celeb – they are hungry, but never foolish. As Academy Award winner and Bachelor in Psychology Natalie Portman famously said, “I’d rather be smart than be a movie star.” Celebrities who pursue education despite their success are, in a sense, ambassadors for STEAM style of education because they make the theory practice. It is possible to marry a scientific or academic mindset with creative 22
energy and artistic vigour. This partnership not only emphasizes the dynamism of the individual, but also symbiotically improves these disparate characteristics. As Irrfan Khan, who took the focused path and pursued specialized study of acting in the National School of Drama, says, “I have always strongly believed in the cause of education and it has played a vital role in realising my aspirations and dreams. Education has contributed greatly to my success.” To be able to juggle the prosaic and the surreal competently signifies a potential for more. And more is the mantra. Anti-college lobbies stress on the expense, ostentation and occasionally the irrelevance of a degree in ‘real life’. But these same voices have to agree that said degree will never be a disadvantage in the pursuit of success. The beaten path may lack the glitter of the adventurous uncertain, but the fact is that if something is a passion, studying it formally can only give the student an advantage. So we now have the opportunity to tread on both the beaten path and the road less travelled. The journey promises to be extraordinary.
INSERT: CELEBS WITH INTERESTING DEGREES/ CELEBS WITH UNLIKELY DEGREES Name
Profession
Degree
Rowan Atkinson
Actor, comedian
Bachelors in Electrical Engineering, Oxford
Mayim Bialik
Actor
Bachelors and Ph.D in Neuroscience, UCLA
Michael Crichton
Author
Bachelors in Biological Anthropology, summa cum laude, Harvard College M.D, Harvard Medical School
Eva Longoria
Model, actor
Bachelors in Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, Kingsville. Masters in Chicano Studies, California State University, Northridge
Chris Martin
Lead Singer, Coldplay
First Class honors degree Greek and Latin, University College London
Adam Horowitz
Screenwriter
Bachelors in Communication Arts and Political Science, University of Winsconsin, Madison
Michael Jordan
Professional basketball player
Bachelors in Geography, University of North Carolina
J.K Rowling
Writer
Bachelors in French and Classical Studies
Diana Gabaldon
Writer and Consultant on Starz show Outlander
BSc Zoology, Northern Arizona University, MSc Marine Biology University of California, Ph.D in Behavioral Ecology, Northern Arizona University.
Shaquille O’Neal
Professional basketball player
B.A General Studies, LSU, MBA, University of Phoenix Ph.D Education, Barry University.
CELEBS WHO FOLLOWED THEIR PASSIONS ACADEMICALLY Name
Profession
Degree
Meryl Streep
Actress
Bachelors in Acting, Vassar College. MFA, Yale School of Drama. Honorary Degree of Arts, Dartmouth College.
Warren Buffet
Entrepreneur
BSC Business Administration. MSC Economics
Tina Fey
Actress, Comedian, Writer, Producer
B.A Drama, University of Virginia
Samuel L Jackson
Actor
BA Acting, Morehouse College
Stephen King
Writer
B.A English, The University of Maine
Irrfan Khan
Actor
Graduate, National School of Drama 23
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The University is the first in UAE to commence the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program in September 2011. M.S. in Pharmacy programs commenced in September 2012. The university provides system-wise, integrated and updated curriculum as well as training in clinical skills from first year of study. The latest teaching methodology such as team-based learning and case-based learning is used to facilitate learning in small groups. Clinical training and internship is offered in government hospitals at Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah which are having more than 800 patient beds. The campus has a well-equipped library and lecture halls. Its multipurpose laboratories help in practicing clinical skills. There is a separate English Language Centre for facilitating TOEFL test and also training for the same. The student –teacher ratio of 5: 1 facilitates personalized teaching. Gymnasium and sports facilities are also provided on campus. Transportation facility to nearby emirates is provided. Hostel and student visa are also provided if required. RAKMHSU has 1200 plus students enrolled in its programmes belonging to 48 nationalities. The university offers a co-education campus. RAKMHSU’s well-qualified staff and faculty are drawn from 20 different countries. Academic session commences every September. Students can apply online May/June at www. rakmhsu.com and attach copy of the 12th grade marks, TOEFL/IELTS and relevant documents. Students can also enquire regarding admission formalities by mailing admissions@rakmhsu.ac.ae. For more details visit www.rakmhsu.com
Testing times A
s per a Gulf News report dated 13th April 2015, if given another chance, U.A.E. university students would not study the same subject again, a study by a UAEbased HR consultancy, the Talent Enterprise, has found. The study, which was dedicated to the evaluation of human capital, found that almost half of all students would not go back to study the same courses. It also found that two-thirds of graduates end up on career paths that are unrelated to what they studied at university. This trend is symptomatic of a rift between individual choice and predominant choice. Quite often students end up following a career path that their parents chose for them, 26
or followed the trending path chosen by their peers, only to find out later that it is not what they wanted. Others find themselves unable to locate their talents and gauge their strengths to zone in on the right career path. Still others are simply unaware of what opportunities are available to appeal to their specific skill set. In such a situation, psychometric tests can be life changing tools that help direct an individual. The “self discovery� psychometric tool is used to determine the ideal career for the student. Most psychometric tests consist of a questionnaire and are implemented using an assessment based on measuring 20 behavioural factors including mindset, fortitude, vitality and accountability.
Feedback is then given in the form of a report. which will display the top five ideal career choices of the individual. The assessment is evaluated based on what is considered normal in society while keeping cultural factors in mind. The beauty of psychometrics is that, there is no right or wrong result. It is a matter of comparison and context. The test attempts to locate the individual and her talents within the larger context of the place she hopes to work in. Character is a key element in a student or a person seeking a job. Knowledge, skills and qualifications are aspects that can be earned or gained. However, intrinsic qualities like resilience, grit, determination, optimism, accountability and confidence are all key characteristics employers look for in a candidate. However, structured academics cannot cover these arenas completely. Furthermore, the school system rarely provides updated training to locate and pursue career interests other than established disciplines and career paths. Consequently future employees find themselves lacking in either these life skills or simply don’t know how to go about navigating the job market. This leads us to the crucial question, what can key stakeholders like educational providers, policy makers, and employers do to create a stronger bridge between education and employment to support a successful next generation workforce? Need for more awareness and prioritization of employable skills by educators: Today, in countries such as US, UK and Australia, teachers and parents are taking lead in character - building and imparting employability skills like teamwork, self-confidence, communication by incorporating them as a part of the curriculum. Fostering foundational workplace and life skills amongst our youth needs to be prioritized. Revamping career guidance: Educational choices and career decisions can directly impact the economic engine and this could have a disproportionate effect on aspects such as employment, underemployment, overall engagement and productivity. We need to match the key strengths and interest of young adults and help them in making the right career choices.
Opening up opportunities for internships, apprenticeships and work-study programs: Promoting internship and work-study opportunities in the region will provide opportunities for students to gain the much needed exposure and experience that is missing from their formal education. Many interns also manage to get absorbed in the work place if they prove their mettle. We, are also witnessing a generational change, where more GCC nationals can be encouraged to join the private sector, with timely guidance and inputs. This will reduce the current dependence on the public sector as an employer. Building more innovative, equitable and less hierarchical work cultures can enable private sector to attract, retain and engage a young workforce. Leveraging technology: Social media has become a great recruitment platform to leverage for more effective talent attraction, employer branding, social relationships and so on. It not only helps students match their work preferences, work styles, and personal strengths to the organizational culture and employer brands of various firms, but also helps them identify an employer with whom they can foster a healthy, sustainable employment relationship. Thus benefiting both employers and job seekers. Educators, employers and policy makers play a crucial role in facilitating, supporting and guiding the youth and building future employability of young professionals. Tremendous progress can be achieved by encouraging students to make the right educational choices which will lead them to appropriate employment. If the region’s continued movement towards knowledge based economies is to be sustained, we need to invest energy into our psychological strengths and develop our human capital infrastructure to balance the advances in our physical infrastructure and urban environment. More effective and engaging education opportunities will enhance employability amongst the younger generation. Each and every individual has something unique to offer in terms of their own individual strengths and aspirations. It’s really about discovering these unique attributes, and then helping the right people find the right jobs. Adapted from Talent Enterprises http://thetalententerprise.com/ Navigating the education to employment journey 27
Why Uninest? Students in Dubai can now have the same university living experience found in other cities worldwide. Uninest design, build and manage modern and fully furnished residences for students. We offer a variety of different room types, including twin share, studio and single rooms.
Safe and secure Uninest Dubailand
Safety and security are our absolute priority. Uninest Dubailand will operate with 24/7 security personnel as well as CCTV in all communal areas, key card access to every floor, apartment bedroom, and a fully-managed visitor registration process. To ensure your safety and well-being Uninest Dubailand will have a first-aider at the property at all times as well as a lifeguard at the pool during operating hours. All residents will also be given a full safety and security induction upon move in.
Segregated Studio apartment
Uninest celebrates and respects the cultures of the communities they serve. With this in mind, Uninest Dubailand provides only separated female and male accommodation. To manage this, each resident will be provided with an access card that will only allow them to open the doors that lead directly to their bedroom. Residents are welcome to have guests to visit but no male visitors will be allowed into a female apartment or vice versa. Communal areas will offer the opportunity for all residents to meet one another and the gym and swimming pool with operate ladies-only hours at certain times each week.
Single en-suite
Student-focussed The Uninest team specialises in managing student residences and have done for over 20 years. Building on this experience, Uninest creates communities of happy, healthy, studious and relaxed student residents who find living with us to be a natural transition from their time in the classroom each day. Our specially trained student support team understand the unique needs of students and plan a series of social, career and skills-development activities to enhance the experience and success of each resident.
Twin en-suite
www.uninest.ae
All-inclusive and affordable Uninest understands that moving away from home and starting your university experience can be quite overwhelming. We want to ensure that your move with us is as hassle-free as possible. As such, our rents start from AED 3,350 per month and include water, electricity, internet, furniture and transport to and from your university. Uninest also offers residents the opportunity to pay in 4 instalments throughout the year.
HAVE YOU HEARD? SAFE, AFFORDABLE & SEGREGATED STUDENT ACCOMMODATION NOW AVAILABLE IN DUBAI
Contact us to view or book a room: enquiries@uninest.com
800 UNINEST (8646378)
+971 50 409 0494
www.uninest.ae
Making the Right University and Degree Programme Choice Dr. Ayoub Kazim
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W
e are fortunate to live in times where the range of higher education programmes that students can access has never been greater. As the new academic year gets underway, the myriad of options available can make selecting the right university, out of the hundreds of institutions, an overwhelming process.
In making such an important decision, one that shapes future careers, there are a number of factors that need be considered. Firstly, take the time to consider where the future demand for jobs lies and build your higher education programme around this. For the UAE, a good guide are the seven national priorities of the country’s National Innovation Strategy: Renewable energy, transportation, education, health, technology, water and space. Large-scale events such as Dubai Expo 2020 will require thousands of workers from a wide range of industries such as tourism and hospitality, construction, transport and logistics. Dubai’s quest to become the centre of the Islamic economy will also necessitate a growing number of financial service industry professionals. Above all, employability should be considered a top priority when deciding on a university and education programme. Being adaptable and malleable to the changing needs of industry will greatly improve the chances of workplace success after graduation. Business and career success is often the result of hard work and having a passion for your chosen profession. As Steve Jobs said,“the only way to do great work is to love what you do”. University is a key part of this journey. Success as a student is far more achievable when your interests are aligned with what your end employment goals are. I am a firm believer that a school that places a strong emphasis on innovation, nurtures talent by unlocking potential, encourages critical thinking,and promotes entrepreneurship, should be high on the list of schools for prospective students. When looking for a particular university, focus your search on academic infrastructure, school facilities, academic history and
performance, reputation, and where possible the university’s ranking. Assessing a university by its partnerships with major industries and government departments is important as well, as too is its level of engagement with the wider community. University location and convenience should also be considered as travelling long distances can prove draining on a student’s time and energy. Cost is another important element in selecting the right university and education programme. Tuition fees should be closely studied to establish whether value for money exists and whether the programme fits within a set budget. Students should avoid overburdening themselves financially. If a preferred education programme is beyond financial reach, it is worth investigating what scholarship programmes are available. If possible, contacting alumni of the university you are interested in will help immensely in the decision making process. These former students will have valuable first-hand experience of campus life from both an academic and social perspective. Perhaps more importantly, alumni are best placed to advise on the kind of job opportunities available for graduates. This is a great way to assess whether the career path you are pursuing will lead to meaningful employment after graduation. In this rapidly evolving world, the demand on graduates to be able to operate in a diverse workplace continues to grow. Selecting a university that promotes and embraces diversity, while challenging students to discover and understand different cultures, will help ease the transition into today’s corporate lifestyle. At Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, we remain committed to providing opportunities to bring together industry experts, government and academia to discuss ways to improve education, training and knowledge development. Only by responding to the needs of industry can we ensure that students enter the workforce with the necessary skills to support the UAE’s development and underpin economic growth. Dr. Ayoub Kazim is Managing Director of Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) and Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) 31
Innovative Business Degrees for Future Global Leaders What does it take to become a global business leader in the 21st century? Global Intelligence Imagine that you were the CEO of a multi-national corporation (MNC) like Apple, Wal-Mart, Google, SK-II or McDonalds, and wanted to expand your business globally. Would you know how to: • Outsource the production of your iPhones to emerging markets like Vietnam? • Set up Wal-Mart in Japan? • Turn Google into China’s top search engine? • Market SK-II cosmetics products in South Korea? • Create a McDonalds’ menu for India? Whether you want to enter a new market to bring down your production cost or increase sales, it is absolutely essential to understand the local business environment, culture and way of life. Truly Global Business Education: Tri-City Model How can you gain global intelligence as a business student? S P Jain School of Global Management has come up with a revolutionary way of learning. The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) exposes you to the 32
business environment and culture of at least three different countries over four years: Singapore or Mumbai (1st year), Dubai (2nd year) and Sydney (3rd and 4th year). The entire cohort moves from country to country and graduates in Australia. Peer-to-Peer Learning Students come from all over the world, which creates exciting peer-to-peer learning. This year’s new cohort consists of students from 29 countries and six continents. The wealth of experience contributes tremendously to the discussions. In a recent debate on ISIS, we had one student who had fled to Iraq from Syria, a Palestinian student who had lived in Jordon and Pakistan, an American student whose father had been a US Air Force pilot in the Middle East, and an Indian student who had experienced the Arab Spring in Egypt. All had their own interpretations of the crisis. Insightful Out-of-Classroom Trips Global learning also takes place through weekly activities that complement what is being taught in the classroom and provide a unique immersion in the local culture or business environment. These activities include industry visits, guest speaker talks, competitions, trips to cultural attractions and celebrations of festivals.
Immersive Projects On each campus, you will gain new business insights through hands-on projects. In Singapore and Dubai, you will conduct “Regional Immersion Projects” that analyse an industry. For that, you have to interview business leaders. In Australia, you will solve a specific company problem as part of an “Action Learning Project” or come up with a new business idea for the “Entrepreneurship Project”. Pioneer Spirit Each cohort has to create its own student clubs in Singapore and Dubai, as there are no senior BBA students on campus. While this may seem challenging at first, it provides an outstanding opportunity to be creative and learn how to start a new venture. Initiative, teamwork and leadership automatically become part of your DNA. You will become a pioneer. Lessons in Humility But, ultimately, great business leaders need more than just excellent training and a global mindset. They need humility and empathy. Every year, we do an Overseas Community Service Project that is entirely organized by the students. We have helped communities in Cambodia, China and the Philippines. These trips can be life-changing. They can touch us in ways that few academic classes will. When somebody tells you that “You may forget my face in a few weeks, but, when I die, I will still remember yours”; life can never be the same. Are you ready to be challenged? Then, come to S P Jain. Prof. Golo Weber is the Assistant Dean (Undergraduate Programs) at S P Jain School of Global Management in Singapore. He teaches World Culture, Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility, and is a graduate of Oxford, Cambridge and Peking University.
ADVERTORIAL
The changing face of education Every child is an artist; the problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up Pablo Picasso
“Schools as we know them are obsolete”, says Dr. Sugata Mitra, Professor of Educational Technology at Newcastle University, England. What Dr. Mitra is referring to is the prevalent education system that essentially educates every child on the premise of the traditional chalk and talk method and does the least to carve out the creative genius out of the ordinary mass. Let us face it, our world has become so unpredictable and fluid that only the extraordinary capabilities of young minds can help us adapt to it. Therefore, the need of the hour is to challenge the way we are educating young minds who are going to be the torch bearers of our future society. Unfortunately, under the traditional educational system, most stakeholders of the society, including governments and businesses are frustrated that the kids coming out of school lack the right attitude and adaptability and aren’t ready for real world. Thus, we as a society need to move away from such obsolete systems with boring curriculums and rigid lecture-centric teaching styles that have limited practical use. As the proverbial saying, “the mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting,” futuristic education aims to ignite this creativity and innovation. It fosters an environment of working in teams and doing practical projects where participants embark on a journey of lifelong learning. It produces young minds with a passion for the work they are doing at their organizations. Employers are then impressed with such workforce in terms of their work ethic, persistence and their ability to tackle problems in a creative way. “You work by learning, and you learn by working” One of the techniques by which futuristic education accomplishes the above, is by following Minimally
Invasive Education (MIE). This idea is built around constructing learning environments that spark motivation in children. It induces learning by using a person’s natural curiosity and by providing an enabling, nurturing environment where young minds can apply their knowledge. Young minds experiment freely and develop critical problem solving skills. They share this knowledge with their peers and in the process learn collaboration and group dynamics. It goes beyond saying that any employer will attest to the fact that these are essential skills at the workplace. The education system of the future will focus more on producing leaders with integrity and the ability to confront complex problems armed with the level-headedness required to come up with workable solutions. Proper teaching is so powerful that it can turn bad morals to good; it can turn awful practices into powerful one; it can change men and transform them into angels. Mark Twain Young minds needs to be exposed into global community of students, formed under a shared intellectual endeavor that fosters motivation and determination. These environments will challenge them and equip them with appropriate motivation and critical skills. Such an all rounded education is essential for the young minds to build a better life for themselves, their families and their communities. In essence, the world would require global citizens, who could respond to the rapidly changing global issues, are prepared with the leadership traits of adaptability, flexibility, ability to embrace ambiguity, be innovative, think lateral and remain unfettered by conventional wisdom. Contributions from Arindam Banerjee, Professor of Finance & Director – Student Recruitment, & Farah Naaz, Teaching Assistant, Finance 33
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Accrediting A Bodies and Standards Accreditation is a voluntary, independent review of educational programs to determine that the education provided is of uniform and sound quality. Being granted an accreditation ensures that the institution has met the set standards of quality determined by the accrediting organization.
college or university’s accreditation is maintained by continued adherence to the set criteria. Accreditation reviews include self-evaluations, peer-reviews, committee-reviews, and the development of in-depth strategic plans. They also include reviews of a school’s mission, faculty qualifications, and curricula. Confirming the accreditation of an institution will go a long way in ascertaining the validity of the university being considered. For both prospective students and their families, it provides the assurance that the program in which you are enrolled in or are considering enrollment, is engaged in continuous review and improvement of quality and that it meets nationally endorsed standards in the profession. Involvement in an ongoing accreditation protocol fosters excellence and ongoing improvement in an institution. Departments not only need to establish a vision of the future but also needs to determine specific objectives for reaching that vision. It a systematic process and everyone in the system is accountable. In UAE, two main bodies are entrusted with this task of accreditation. The first is the Commission of Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Higher education. As per the CAA website, U.A.E currently has seventy five licensed Institutions and eight hundred and sixty accredited programmes. The CAA is involved in regulating licensure. Licensure signifies that the institution has a mission appropriate to higher education and possesses the governance structure, by-laws, regulations, policies and procedures, physical and financial resources, academic programs, faculty and other personnel, and quality assurance measures sufficient to accomplish its mission. Licensure applies to the entire institution and all its activities. In order to be licensed, the institution must meet ten standards and their criteria that cover all major institutional activities. In UAE, licensure is initially granted for up to five years, after which the institution applies to renew its license, which must be done every five years. A licensed institution is required to identify its status as licensed by the Ministry in all documents and advertising and to comply with the Commission’s requirement for reporting data annually. The second regulating body is the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). In June 2011, the Government of Dubai issued Resolution 21 concerning higher education institutions based in Dubai Free Zones. This important milestone in the development of higher education, established the KHDA as the regulator of institutions in the Dubai Free Zones. Higher education institutions in Dubai are either federal institutions, branch 35
campuses of international universities or private universities located inside or outside Free Zones. Federal institutions mainly cater to Emirati students seeking tertiary qualifications. Private universities are accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research while international branch campuses in Free Zones, if not accredited federally, have their quality assured by KHDA. The KHDA also authorizes certain off-shoots to carry out the quality check mandatory to the accreditation process. The University Quality Assurance International Board (UQAIB) was established
by KHDA to assure the quality of education at higher education institutions in the Free Zones. UQAIB uses a validation model to ensure that the academic programme delivered in Dubai is the same accredited programme taught at the institution’s home campus. All higher education institutions located in Dubai’s Free zones undergo the UQAIB quality assurance process to maintain quality. As per an ICEF Report published in September last year, the UNESCO Institute for Statistics show that while UAE sends about 8,500 students abroad for tertiary-level study, it hosts over 54,000 in return, primarily from countries in Asia and the Gulf region. Clearly, the UAE – and in particular, Dubai – has become a growing regional hub for education, attracting billions of dollars in investment and witnessing an astonishing pace of enrolment growth across its K-12 and higher education institutions. Dubai Int’l Academic city is home to 24 Universities, 21 of whom are International 36
branch campuses (IBC’s) of the 37 International Universities the U.A.E is home to. Over 24,000 students from over 145 countries are enrolled in Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral programs. As per this year’s statistics, there has been a 20% increase in the number of students enrolled in DIAC institutions over 2014. In addition to quality assurance, KHDA is responsible for collecting data as well as the certification of academic qualifications. Students who graduate from higher education institutions in the Free Zones will have their degrees certified by KHDA for employment and other purposes. Securing a place at the Masters level or for a Doctoral programme, can be facilitated when the degree is from a recognized institution. The CAA web site has the complete list of all the institutions that have been granted licensure under the Ministry of Higher education and scientific research. Information on the accredited programmes and links to the institutions are also available so that you can do your research before enrolling in a local institution. The KHDA website, www.khda.gov. ae has information on institutions in the Free Zones in Dubai. Besides the CAA and the KHDA, some local institutions offer courses accredited by international bodies. ABET. Inc., for example, accredits college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. One of the most respected accreditation organizations in the U.S., ABET has provided leadership and quality assurance in higher education for over 75 years. ABET accredits over 3,100 programs at more than 600 colleges and universities worldwide.(Source – ABET website) Similarly, The Assn. offers its services to advance collegiate schools of business, AACSB provides internationally recognized, specialized accreditation for business and accounting programs at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral level. The AACSB Accreditation Standards challenge post-secondary educators to pursue excellence and continuous improvement throughout their business programs. Source: www.caa.ae; www.khda.gov.ae; www.aacsb.edu; www.abet.org; www.diacedu.ae; monitor.icef.com
Best Value British University in the UAE Undergraduate Degrees • Mechanical Engineering • Civil Engineering • Electrical & Electronic Engineering (Adv Standing) • Business Management (Year 1 & Top Up) • Accountancy • Computing (Year 1 & Top Up) Postgraduate Degrees • Master of Business Administration (Graduate & Executive MBA) • MBA (Top-Up) • MSc Information Technology • MSc Supply Chain Management For more information or to register contact:
+ 971-7-2211221
Email : admissions@wincedu.net www.bolton.ac.uk/uaecampus | www.wincedu.net
Why Bolton? • Academic merit Scholarships • Wide range of programmes at Foundation, Bachelors & Masters level • Internship opportunities • Free Transportation • State of the Art Hostels
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عتماد في اإلمارات
التوثيق واالعتماد في اإلمارات
التوثيق واالعتماد في اإلمارات
مدة للبرامج التعليمية للتأكيد على أن التعليم المقدم
المعتمدة للبرامج التعليمية للتأكيد على أن التعليم المقدم المعهدبمثابة واالعتماد هو التوثيق المراجعةمتطلبات العلمي يلبي يضمن أن اد والتوثيق كلية والتوثيق يضمن أن المعهد العلمي يلبي متطلبات االعتماد على الحصول . جودة ال عالي و موحد لمنظمة التي تعتمد وتوثق .استمرار اعتماد أي مجموعة من معايير الجودة التي تحددها المنظمة التي تعتمد وتوثق .استمرار اعتماد أي كلية
المحددة.
لبرامج .التعليمية للتأكيد على أن التعليم الم المعتمدة ل المراجعة بمثابة الجودة المحددة بتمسكها بمعايير جامعة مرهون هو أو
والتوثيق يضمن أن المعهد العلمي يلبي متط نودة .الحصول على االعتماد في دولة اإلمارات العربية المتحدة ،تضطلع جهتان رئيسيتان بهذه في مناطق دبي الحرة الخضوع الختبارات ضمان الجودة من
في دولة اإلمارات العربية المتحدة ،تضطلع جهتان رئيسيتان بهذه المهمة ،وفقا لطبيعة كل توثيق واعتماد .الجهة األولى هي هيئة االعتماد األكاديمي ( ،)CAAالتابعة لوزارة التعليم العالي .لدى دولة اإلمارات العربية المتحدة حاليا خمس وسبعين مؤسسة مرخصة و 977برامج معتمدة .تشارك هيئة االعتماد األكاديمي في تنظيم عمليات الترخيص .الحصول على الترخيص يدل على أن المؤسسة لديها مهمة تناسب التعليم العالي وتمتلك القوانين واألنظمة والسياسات المعتمدة للبرامج المراجعة بمثابة واالعتماد التوثيق األكاديمية وأعضاء والبرامج هووالمالية، المادية واإلجراءات ،والموارد هيئة التدريس وغيرهم من الموظفين ،وإجراءات ضمان الجودة االعتماد والتوثيق ي موحد وعالي الجودة .الحصول على الكافية إلنجاز مهمتها بنجاح .ينطبق الترخيص على المؤسسة بأكملها على يجب ترخيص، معاييرالحصول من من أجل أنشطتها. وجميع تحددها المنظمة التي علىالتي الجودة مجموعة المؤسسة أن تلبي متطلبات عشرة معايير خاصة والتي تغطي جميع الجودةمنحالمحددة. معايير بتمسكها مرهون جامعة المتحدة ،يتم اإلماراتبالعربية الرئيسية .في المؤسسية أواألنشطة الترخيص في البداية لمدة تصل إلى خمس سنوات ،بعدها تطلب المؤسسة تجديد ترخيصها ،والذي يجب أن يتم كل خمس سنوات. على كل مؤسسة مرخصة أن تبرز اعتبارها مرخصا لها بالعمل من من الوثائق الجودة الختبارات وضمان جميع الخضوع الوزارةدبيفيالحرة فيقبلمناطق في دو واإلعالنات معامالتها الرسمية الصادرة .عنها ،مع االمتثال لمتطلبات الهيئة باإلبالغ سنويا عن UQAIB المهمة، بياناتها. االعتما
واالعتماد أي استمرار اعتماد يير الجودة التي تحددها المنظمة التي تعتمد وتوثق. في التوثيق
المهمة ،وفقا لطبيعة كل توثيق واعتماد .الجهة األولى هي هيئة .UQAIB االعتماد األكاديمي ( ،)CAAالتابعة لوزارة التعليم العالي .لدى دولة ت مرخصة حاليا خمس ضمانالمتحدة العربية مؤسسة البيانات وسبعينعن جمع المعرفة مسؤولة الجودة ،هيئة اإلمارات إلى باإلضافة ن تنظيم األكاديمي المؤهالت االعتماد شارك هيئة معتمدة .ت الطالبفيالذين األكاديمية. واعتماد برامجتوثيق 977عن ووكذلك ن الحرةأن ستكون العالي في مؤسسات عملياتا من تخرجو المؤسسة المناطق على الترخيص يدل التعليم على الحصول الترخيص. م والتي يضم المعرفة، قبل هيئة وموثقة من معتمدة تخرجهم شهادات والسياسات واألنظمة القوانين وتمتلك لتعليم العالي تناسب ا مهمة لديها ى الحاصلة على كاملة ل والمواردقائمة واإلجراءات ،انترنت موقعها على وأعضاء المؤسساتاألكاديمية جميع والبرامج والمالية، المادية ر تتوفر . العلمي والبحث العالي التعليم وزارة إشراف تحت ترخيص هيئة التدريس وغيرهم من الموظفين ،وإجراءات ضمان الجودة لمؤسسةبحيث المعتمدة، التعليمية والمعاهد البرامج مهمتهاعن معلومات وافية كذلك ث بأكملها على ا الترخيص ينطبق بنجاح. الكافية إلنجاز يمكنك البحث بنفسك قبل التسجيل في جامعة أو معهد محلي .عنوان ترخيص، ضمانالحصول الختبارات من أجل نخضوع وجميع أنشطتها. على من الجودة اإلنترنت يجبهو:علىفي دولة اإلمارات العربية المتحدة ،تضطلع جهتان رئيسيت شبكة على المعرفة هيئة موقع : المؤسسة أن تلبي متطلبات عشرة معايير خاصة والتي تغطي جميع www.khda.gov.aeويحتوي على معلومات عن ال جامعاتمنحالمهمة ،وفقا لطبيعة كل توثيق واعتماد .الجهة األولى ه ت دبي.العربية المتحدة ،يتم اإلمارات في . الرئيسية المؤسسية األنشطة والمعاهد األكاديمية في المناطق الحرة في الترخيص في البداية لمدة تصل إلى خمس سنوات ،بعدها تطلباالعتماد األكاديمي ( ،)CAAالتابعة لوزارة التعليم العالي .لد محلي3 ، 12كلمعهد جامعة المعرفة إحصاءات هيئة ،هيئة تظهر سنوات. خمس دولية،يتم يجب أن 12ي عنوالذ ترخيصها، المعرفة تجديد المؤسسة البيانات جمع مسؤولة 3 جماليمناإلمارات العربية المتحدة حاليا خمس وسبعين مؤسسة م يجعل مهني ،مما تبرزعالي مؤسساتأنتعليم اتحادية و لها اإلبالعمل مرخصا اعتبارها مؤسسة 3مرخصة معاهدكل على الطالب جميع. األكاديمية المؤهالت يد الوثائق هي فروع الذين دبي في الجامعات تقريبا، في دبي 29 العالمية و الرسمية جميعمعامالتها الوزارة .في قبل واإلعالناتو 977برامج معتمدة .تشارك هيئة االعتماد األكاديمي في ع شهادات على الحصول فرص توفر والتي ، الجامعات لتلك دولية ستكونباإلبالغ سنويا عن االمتثال لمتطلبات الهيئة الصادرة عنها ،مع تعليم العالي المناطقعدد طالب في الجامعة األم. بياناتها.من معتمدة الحرةالتعليم العالي في دبي ما زال اإلماراا يدل على أن الترخيص على الحصول . الترخيص عمليات باإلضافة إلى ضمان الجودة ،هيئة المعرفة مسؤولة عن جمع البيانات يدرسون بدوام كامل أو 21222 مجموعهم حاليا في شهر في دبي. والتنمية البشرية المعرفة توثيق هيئة الثانية هي الجهة طالب ،يضم والتي المعرفة، لموثقة منينمو،قبلويبلغهيئة الطالب األكاديمية. المؤهالت واعتماد مهمةعن لديهاوكذلك وال القوانين وتمتلك العالي لتعليم تناسب ا الذينواألنظمةو977 و الماضي. والتنمية العام المعرفةزيادة عن قدرها 7.9 بزيادة شهر في . دبي في البشرية هيئة ي جزئي،ة ه بدوامة الثاني الجه أصدرت 1122 عام من يونيو بشأن 12 رقم قرار دبي حكومة تخرجوا من مؤسسات التعليم العالي في المناطق الحرة ستكون عمليات على الحاصلة المؤسسات جميع ل كاملة والمالية،الحرة في دبي. والتي مقرها في المناطق واإلجراءات،التعليم العالي مؤسسات يونيو من عام 1122أصدرت حكومة دبي قرار رقم 12بشأن لديها مو يضم األكاديمية والبرامج والموارد الماديةقبل هيئة المعرفة ،والتي وموثقة من شهادات تخرجهم معتمدة مؤسسات التعليم العالي في دبي إما معاهد اتحادية ،فروع لجامعات المناطق الحرة في دبي. والبحثوالتي مقرها التعليم العالي مؤسسات العلمي.فيتتوفر العالي رة التعليم على الحاصلة المؤسسات جميع ل كاملة قائمة انترنت على موقعها واإلجر وإجراءات ضمان الموظفين، وغيرهم التدريس منداخل أو خارج موجودة جامعات خاصة مؤسسات التعليم العالي في دبي إما معاهد اتحادية ،فروع لجامعاتهيئة دولية أو المناطق الحرة. ترخيص تحت إشراف وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي .تتوفر هيئة ا المعاهد االتحادية تلبي في المقام األول احتياج الطالب اإلماراتيين بحيث المعتمدة، التعليمية داخل أو خاصة موجودة والمعاهدجامعات رامج دولية أو لمؤسسة بحيثعلى ا الترخيص ينطبق المؤهالت. بنجاح مهمتها إلنجاز خارج المناطق الحرة.الكافية التعليمية والمعاهد علىالبرامج وافية عن معلومات كذلك الكافية المعتمدة،الخاصة الجامعات الجامعية. للحصول الساعين اإلماراتيين الطالب احتياج األول المقام في تلبي االتحادية فيمعاهد سجيل ال جامعة أو معهد محلي. عنوان محلي. معهد والبحثأو العاليجامعة في التسجيل بنفسك قبل يمكنك علىحين أن العلمي ،في منالتعليم وزارة البحث قبل معتمدة من ترخيص ،وجميع يجب الحصول أجل أنشطتها. عنوانالجامعات الخاصةوجميع . الجامعية المؤهالت على للحصول الساعين على: معتمدة هو اإلنترنت التعليميةفي على المعرفة هيئة موقع لم تكن للتأكيد الحرة، المناطق الجامعات الدولية فروع المقدم التعليم شبكةإذاأن على لبرامج بمثابة المراجعة المعتمدة ل هو واالعتماد التوثيق المؤسس اإلنترنت شبكة وزارة التعليم علىمعتمدة من قبل تغطي خاصة معايير عشرة متطلبات المستوىأن تلبي العالي والبحثهو:العلمي ،في حين أنالمؤسسة عن معلومات ويحتوي على www.khda.gov.ae المعرفةال والتنمية من هيئة معتمدة تكون ساعتها االتحادي، جامعات والتي األنشط علىمعتمدة على جامعاتلم تكن المناطقالالحرة ،إذا الجامعات ويحتوي فروع متطلبات المعهد كذلكأن يضمن الحصول جودة. الدوليةال عالي موحد و دبي. في األكاديمية .في االعتماد والمعاهد يلبي في دبي العلمي البشرية والتنمية المعرفة المناطق هيئة قامت والتوثيقفي دبي البشرية معلوماتفي عن على الترخيص العربية المتحدة، اإلمارات في الحرة. الرئيسية المؤسسية هيئة المعرفة والتنميةاألنشطة المستوى االتحادي ،ساعتها تكون معتمدة من العالي التعليم مؤسسات في التعليم جودة لضمان الدولية الهيئة بتأسيس المؤسس ضمان 3كلية أي اعتماد استمرار وتوثق. تعتمد منظمة التي تحددهادبيال دبي..من مجموعة دبي طق الحرة التي البشرية في الجودةوالتنمية معاييرهيئة المعرفة كذلك قامت في في البشرية محلي، دولية، المعرفة تظهر معهدعلى جهة12تعمل جامعةوهي 12الحرة، المناطق هيئة في إحصاءاتالعاملة )UQAIB ( بعد كه الترخيص في البداية لمدة تصل إلى خمس سنوات ،على العالي مؤسسات التعليم في لضمان جودة التعليم جامعةالدولية بتأسيس الهيئة جمالي يجعل اإل مؤسسات تعليم اتحادية و 3 معاهد المقدمة في مما تلك مهني،تماثل عالي دبي المقدمة في البرامج التعليمية جودة أن . محددة ال الجودة معايير ب بتمسكها مرهون أو خمس ال قبل فروع كل هي يتم أن يجب الجامعاتوالذي ترخيصها، المؤسسة ( )UQAIBالعاملة في المناطق الحرة ،وهي جهة تعمل على ضمان العاملة العالي التعليم مؤسسات جميع جميععلى تقريبا،ويجب تجديدهذا األم. دبي العالمية في الجامعةدبي. في 29 الصادر فة 12جامعة دولية 12 ،معهد محلي3 ، أن جودة البرامج التعليمية المقدمة في دبي تماثل تلك المقدمة في شهادات على الحصول فرص توفر والتي ، الجامعات لتلك دولية بالع على كل مؤسسة مرخصة أن تبرز اعتبارها مرخصا لهابياناتها العاملة العالي التعليم مؤسسات مما على مهني،ويجب عالي األم .هذا ت تعليم الجامعة معتمدة من الجامعة األم .عدد طالب التعليم العالي في دبي ما زال جمالي جميع اإل يجعل واإل الوثائق و الرسمية معامالتها جميع في الوزارة قبل من الجودة ضمان الختبارات الخضوع الحرة دبي مناطق في هذه ب رئيسيتان جهتان لع ط تض المتحدة، العربية اإلمارات دولة في و أ كامل بدوام يدرسون طالب، 21222 حاليا هم مجموع ويبلغ ، ينمو الجهة العالمية في دبي هي فروع الجامعات هيئة هي األولى الجهة . واعتماد توثيق كل لطبيعة وفقا ، المهمة . UQAIB . الماضي العام ن ع زيادة 7.9 قدرها بزيادة جزئي، بدوام يونيو الصادرة عنها ،مع االمتثال لمتطلبات الهيئة باإلبالغ سن االعتماد األكاديمي ( ،)CAAالتابعة لوزارة التعليم العالي .لدى دولة ي توفر فرص الحصول على شهادات مؤسسا مرخصة باإلضافة إلى ضمان الجودة ،هيئة المعرفة مسؤولة عن جمع البياناتبياناتها .اإلمارات العربية المتحدة حاليا خمس وسبعين مؤسسة 41 مؤسسا المؤهالتما زال في دبي العالي دد طالب األكاديمية .الطالب الذين واعتماد التعليم توثيق وكذلك عن و 977برامج معتمدة .تشارك هيئة االعتماد األكاديمي في تنظيم دولية تخرجوا من مؤسسات التعليم العالي في المناطق الحرة ستكون عمليات الترخيص .الحصول على الترخيص يدل على أن المؤسسة
بتمسكها بمعايير الجودة المحددة.
التوثيق واالعتماد في اإلمارات
Professional Qualifications If you want to work at the top level of the profession of your choice, you will usually need a professional qualiďŹ cation. These are generally awarded by professional bodies and follow on from having completed a degree or equivalent qualiďŹ cation. However, more options are now available for non-graduate routes 42
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his is especially true for academic coursed in the commerce stream. The boom in the Islamic Finance industry witnessed in the region has opened the door to hundreds of jobs. There is tremendous demand for competent manpower in Islamic finance and it is expected that as the industry expands there will be huge demand for talented and skilled manpower in the years to come. The U.A.E. provides a plethora of professional courses both on line and through taught contact
programs. Here are some of the most successful options available. The ACCA Qualification develops accounting knowledge and skills as well as professional values. This means you can build a successful career as a finance professional in any sector. There is a strong focus on professional values, ethics and governance. This is essential because the profession is moving towards strengthened codes of conduct, regulation and legislation. And there is an increased focus on professionalism and ethics in accounting. Professionalism and ethics is examined at the highest level in the ACCA Qualification. It is also a main part of the practical experience you must complete to qualify. To qualify as an ACCA member, you will need to complete: A minimum of five of 14 exams (Exemption are awarded if the student has an Accounting degree) The practical experience requirement The Professional Ethics module. On your way to ACCA membership you can achieve: A Diploma in Accounting and Business An Advanced Diploma in Accounting and Business A BSc (Hons) degree in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales offers the ACA qualification. This is a professional membership organisation, supporting over 136,000 chartered accountants around the world. Through their technical knowledge, skills and expertise, they provide insight and leadership to the global accountancy and finance profession. Its members provide financial knowledge and guidance based on the highest professional, technical and ethical standards. By joining ICAEW, you can become part of a community of leading global accountancy professionals. When you become a member, you will be awarded the highlyrespected ACA designation, which is recognised globally. You will also gain access to information
resources, technical guidance, advisory services and local member networks. ICAEW Chartered Accountants work at the highest levels as finance directors, CEO’s and partners of some of the world’s largest organisations. Open doors to a successful, highly rewarding career in all areas of accountancy, business and finance anywhere in the world. Your skills, capabilities and influence will be recognised and valued in any industry sector you choose. Receive on-going support and resources throughout your career to keep you at the forefront of the profession. Management accounting is a field that is seeing a lot of traffic, and for good reason. It combines accounting, finance and management with the leading edge techniques needed to drive successful businesses. Chartered management accountants work in an advisory and supervisory capacity to advise managers about the financial implications of projects and explain the financial consequences of business decisions. They help formulate effective business strategy, monitor the spending and help maintain financial control while conducting internal business audits. The management accounting skill set: Its members are qualified to work across an organisation, not just in finance. In addition to strong accounting fundamentals, CIMA teaches strategic business and management skills: Analysis - they analyse information and using it to make business decisions. Strategy - they formulate business strategy to create wealth and shareholder value. Risk - they identify and manage risk Planning - they apply accounting techniques to plan and budget. Communication - they determine what information management needs and explain the numbers to non-financial managers. Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment – Professional qualification offered at Center for Management & Professional Devt., University of Dubai. 43
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is also a good place to follow your accounting dreams. Most accounting qualifications train people for private practice, working on external audit and tax issues. CIMA prepares people for a career in business. It teaches skills for strategic advice, managing risk and making key decisions.. The syllabus is designed to deliver a strong understanding of all aspects of business so that members can contribute in many areas of an organisation. CIMA trained people work in industry, commerce, management consultancies, banks, and not for profit and public sector organisations.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) This is a statutory body established under the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 (Act No. XXXVIII of 1949) for the regulation of the profession of Chartered Accountants in India. During its 64 years of existence, ICAI has achieved recognition as a premier accounting body not only in India but also globally, for its contribution in the fields of education, professional development, maintenance of high accounting, auditing and ethical standards. ICAI is now the second largest accounting body in the whole world. Structure of the course: Common Proficiency Test which is compulsory followed by 3½ years of Practical Training concurrent with components of Professional Competence Examination (PCE) and Final Exams are held twice a year. Students need to complete 100 hours of Compulsory Computer Training before appearing for PCE. They also need to undergo General Management & Communication Skills (GMCS) after 18 months of practical training and completion of PCE. For details, visit www.icai.org/
CPA The position of a certified chartered accountant is one of the most sought after jobs in the finance sector. US CPA is mutually recognized by CA – Canada, CPA – Australia, CA- New Zealand and others American Institute of 44
Certified Public Accountant (AICPA) conducts the examination for this notoriously difficult test and the certification is issued by the State Board of Accountancy from the applicable state. The Uniform CPA Examination protects the public interest by helping to ensure that only qualified individuals become licensed as U.S. Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). Individuals seeking to qualify as CPAs are required to pass the CPA Examination. Candidates wishing to sit for the Uniform CPA Examination in Japan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates from August 2011 may now apply through one of the participating state boards of accountancy. Please visit the NASBA website to download
the Candidate Bulletin and view the up-to-date list of participating state boards of accountancy. Another interesting professional qualification in the commerce field is an International Introduction to Investment. The Introduction to Investment qualification has been specifically designed to meet the needs of new entrants to the investment industry, providing an overview of all areas of investment. This foundation qualification offers staff in a wide range of roles a valuable understanding of the language of the industry and provides firms with a benchmark entry level qualification which can be used for induction purposes. It comprises one examination of one hour’s duration. Available in both English & Arabic, this exam is taken as the first step in obtaining other CISI specialist qualifications. CISI recommend the inclusion of Introduction to Investment as a part of an induction programme taken by all new employees, irrespective of job title. The new syllabus allows the qualification to be taken by a range of staff not just in traditional investment administration roles. It will be especially relevant to job roles like Administration,
Investment Operations, Call and Contact Centers, Finance & Accounting IT, Customer Service, Fund management & Sales & Marketing support, Compliance and, HR and Training. A stand alone qualification, successful completion of this training program will lead to an “Award in International Introduction to Investment”. International Investment Management (ICertIM)is targeted at professionals engaging in managing investments, designed to test the competence of individuals in private client, discretionary portfolio and fund management. Upon successful completion of the International Investment Management & UAE Financial Rules & Regulations the participants will receive the full qualification i.e. Certificate in International Investment Management (ICertIM).
UAE Financial Rules and Regulations The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA),are the regulatory bodies for the securities and investment market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are working together to implement the mandatory qualification and licensing
45
regime for the UAE securities market. They aim to raise the skills of UAE staff to global standards, enhancing the UAE’s position as an international financial services centre. The CISI has developed the UAE Financial Rules and Regulations with the SCA, to meet the need of the industry for a regulatory paper specific to the UAE market. Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ)is a ground breaking qualification that covers Islamic Finance from both a technical and Shari’a perspective, providing the first international benchmark qualification in the area of Islamic Finance. Developed with the Central Bank of Lebanon the qualification teaches an understanding and practices used in Islamic Finance markets and the principles behind investment selection. As a benchmark qualification, the IFQ is appropriate for providing a comprehensive overview to existing and new employees and those seeking a career in Islamic finance. Another stand alone qualification, successful completion of this training program will lead to an “Award In Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ)”. As a result of the global increase in private wealth and the rapid growth of disposable income investors are looking for more ways to secure their future. International Certificate in Wealth Management (ICWM) is a qualification will ensure that wealth managers and advisers understand the range of assets and investment products that are available in the market. It will equip them to provide financial advice and find appropriate solutions to meet the investment, retirement, and protection and planning needs of their clients. The qualification is appropriate for staff working in private banking and wealth management roles who need to demonstrate competence through the achievement of a benchmark qualification and who want to develop a thorough understanding of how to deliver wealth management advice. A stand alone qualification again, the successful completion of this training program will lead to an“Award in International Certificate in Wealth Management (ICWM)”Successfully managing risk is a fundamental requirement for any effective business. The Risk in Financial Services qualification has been developed to 46
provide candidates with knowledge of the key risk that arise within the financial services industry. This qualification is a comprehensive global introduction to all the major risk areas in financial services. It provides a sound grounding in principles of the risk management framework & corporate governance and risk oversight. The qualification also covers specific techniques used in identifying, reducing and managing specific risks in areas like operational risk, credit risk, market risk, investment risk and liquidity risk. The Risk in Financial Services qualification has been developed to provide candidates with a broad understanding of the key risks that arise within the financial services industry, and is particularly aimed atrisk teams, compliance teams, branch management, corporate lawyers, finance officers, senior managers of all disciplines, existing and aspiring non-executive e directors. The qualification has been developed with input from expert practitioners from leading global financial firms, including AXA Investment Managers and the Bank of New York Mellon. It provides candidates with a clear benchmark to demonstrate their knowledge and to carry out their job roles competently. Over the past three decades the Islamic banking and finance industry has emerged from nothing to an industry with assets of hundreds of billions of dollars under its management. The industry has witnessed substantial growth during last few years in all parts of the world especially in the Middle East Region. Right at the very heart of the global Islamic banking and financial services is the United Arab Emirates. The Islamic banking and finance industry in the country includes Islamic banks, Islamic windows, subsidiaries of conventional banks, real estate finance companies, takaful operators, sukuk, Islamic funds and other financial services providers. Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies offers an Islamic Banking Diploma. The Islamic Banking Diploma Program introduced in 2003 is accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, UAE. The program, first of its kind in the country was started to disseminate knowledge and information about Islamic banking and finance and produce high caliber professionals with the
necessary technical skills and knowledge in Islamic finance. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is an awarding body for HR qualifications. Over 13,000 students join their programmes each year to enhance their knowledge on the latest theory, case studies and insights into best practice HR. CIPD approved and awarded qualifications are available at Advanced, Intermediate and Foundation level, and you can choose to study awards, certificates or diplomas at any of these levels. CIPD qualifications will equip you with the knowledge and skills that employers are looking for. The course is also attractive because it is 48
flexible and can be customized to meet your needs. You can learn at your own pace and gain credit for your achievements. The certificates and diplomas have a range of optional units to meet your particular development needs. The opportunity to branch out into HR, Learning and Development and other specialisms at Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced level while boosting your earning potential is a definite advantage. These qualifications cover the knowledge required to work towards CIPD professional membership i.e. Associate, Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow. Courses in Logistics & Supply Chain Management(LSCM) form another exciting path. It is aimed at people who not only have
a demanding operational role in logistics (with a good working understanding of warehousing, fleet management, transport, procurement, import and export) but also have an involvement in planning issues. Typically candidates will hold positions such as Logistics Co-coordinator, Logistics Manager or Head of Logistics Centre and will be comfortable with planning and resourcing the supply chain to meet their organizations supply chain strategy and to meet the needs of the aid programmes in their country/region. They should also be conversant with The creation and co-ordination of the operation of the complex supply chain network.As a professional in this segment, monitoring the performance of the supply chain ensuring that any problems are resolved, supporting and advising others on all aspects of the supply chain, managing the different relationships needed for the supply chain to operate effectively and efficiently, continuously improving the performance of the supply chain are some of the responsibilities you will be entrusted with. This course will equip you with the tools needed in this profession. Shipping and Freight Forwarding can open up new avenues for interested candidates. Freight forwarding is a service used by companies that deal in international or multi-national import and export. While the freight forwarder doesn’t actually move the freight itself, it acts as an intermediary between the client and various transportation services. Sending products from one international destination to another can involve a multitude of carriers. Certification is one of the most important qualifications in Shipping and Freight Forwarding Industry. Certified Shipping and Freight Forwarding Professionals earn more salary than those that are non certified. And since there are very few qualified professionals in freight industry qualified candidates will have a definite edge and can expect exponential growth in their careers. Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is a professional marketing body based in UK with over 42,000 members worldwide. CIM offers professional development to marketing practitioners across the world with the objective of raising the status of marketing onto a more
professional and strategic level around the world. As a result of this accreditation, participants who fully attend CIM accredited programs will automatically earn a number of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours. Upon completing a certain number of CPD hours, these participants will have the opportunity to be recognized by CIM as Chartered Marketers which is the ultimate sign of being an up-todate, experienced and qualified marketing professional. This designation, awarded exclusively by the CIM, is marketing’s highest grade and recognizes outstanding practical experience and expertise. Choose from a range of options. There are over 120 training courses to help you develop or top up your skills. Travel & Tourism Courses are seeing a new boom. The Tourism Training Programme is the aviation industry’s most extensive, industryresponsive and career-oriented training programme, providing students with the best industry-wide knowledge and globally recognised qualifications. The IATA/UFTAA Travel and Tourism Training Programme is designed for those wishing to start a career in the travel industry or to upgrade their professional competence.
IATA – The International Air Transport Association This is the trade association of one of the most dynamic and fast paced industries in the world. Originally founded in 1919, it brings together approximately 280 airlines, including the worlds largest. Flights by these airlines comprise more than 95% of all international scheduled air traffic. UFTAA - United Federation of Travel Agents Association. The highest and largest world body representing the travel industry. UFTAA represents 114 National Associations and additional Affiliate members in a total of 121 countries. IATA/UFTAA diplomas and certificates denote a qualification recognised under the terms of the IATA Resolutions applicable to IATA’s accreditation of travel agents. Source: www.icaew.com; www.cimaglobal.com; www. accaglobal.com; www.cim.co.uk; www.cipd.co.uk; www.aicpa. org; www.ud.ac.ae/cmpd/cisi.php; NASBA website; www. eibfs.ae; www.icai.org/ 49
HIT HIT THE THE BULL’S-EYE BULL’S-EYE WITH WITH YOUR YOUR CAREER CAREER CHOICE CHOICE NewNew YorkYork or London? or London? Multinational Multinational holding holding company company or boutique or boutique service service provider? provider? Construction Construction or fashion? or fashion? TheThe choice choice really really is allisyours. all yours. Opportunity, Opportunity, variety variety and the andability the ability to work to work in anyinindustry, any industry, anywhere anywhere in thein the world, world, are just aresome just some of theofbenefits the benefits of becoming of becoming an ICAEW an ICAEW Chartered Chartered Accountant. Accountant.
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UAE
United Arab Emirates About 15 years ago, apart from the federal government sponsored institutions aimed at the local population, the United Arab Emirates had very limited higher education opportunities. Now it boasts of a variety of courses and institutions that meet the needs of a multi-cultural population 52
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he UNESCO Institute for Statistics show that while the UAE sends about 8,500 students abroad for tertiary-level study, it hosts over 54,000 in return, primarily from countries in Asia and the Gulf region. Clearly, the UAE – and in particular, Dubai – has become a growing regional hub for education, attracting billions of dollars in investment
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UAE and witnessing an astonishing pace of enrolment growth across its K-12 and higher education institutions. A growing base of expatriates and nationals alike is contributing to a strong rise in enrolments in both K-12 and tertiary levels of education. Current tertiary enrolment of 115,510 students (2013 figures) is projected to rise to nearly 154,000 by 2019, with primary and secondary enrolment jumping from 785,229 to over 956,000 during the same period. It appears that a growing reputation for quality education, along with friendly visa policies, will continue to attract students from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to the UAE. (Source ICEF Monitor)
Why UAE? The vision of the UAE’s leaders is to make it a knowledge-based economy and a major education hub in the Middle East. The Ministry of Education has released a policy document outlining a strategy for educational development in the UAE up to the year 2020 based on several five-year plans. According to the UAE Ministry website, ninety-five percent of all girls and 80 percent of boys enrolled in the final year of secondary school apply for admission to a higher education institution. Currently, there are at least 1 million school-going students. Of these, nearly 850,000 in the K-12 phase, 130,000 in higher education. Public universities include the UAE University that awards over 70 undergraduate degrees and several post graduate ones; Doctoral degrees will also be offered in the coming years. The all women institution, Zayed University established in 1998 has campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and is organized into five colleges—Arts and Sciences, Business Sciences, Communication and Media Sciences, Education, and Information Systems while Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), UAE’s largest higher educational institution with an enrollment of over 16,000 UAE nationals was founded in 1988 with four campuses. HCT now includes 16 men’s and women’s colleges in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, MadinatZayed, Dubai, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Fujairah. The HCTs offer more than 80 programs at four different 54
credential levels—Diploma, Higher Diploma, Bachelor and Masters. Founded in 1997, the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) is the commercial arm of the Higher Colleges of Technology and it provides education, training and applied technology and has strong industrial links..Apart from this, there are also vocational programmes on offer through the Applied Institutes of Technology. Various other vocational and technical educational centers include the Emirates Institute for Banking and Finance, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Career Development Center, Petroleum Institute, Dubai School of Government, Emirates Aviation College for Aerospace and Academic Studies etc.Because of global partnerships, a number of international universities are opening campuses or programs in the UAE. Free trade zones such as Knowledge Village, Dubai International Financial Centre, RAK Free Zone and Academic City host some of the finest institutions with state-of-the-art infrastructure. Students from the ME region are benefitting from these educational opportunities housed in multi-university complexes. As per the Abu Dhabi Education Council, in 2012, there were 18 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) operating in Abu Dhabi. Each emphasizes particular fields of study or programs, but all aim to prepare well-qualified graduates for the labor
market. In addition, some have a specific mission to focus on research and advance knowledge. Besides the 18 institutions, there are four HEIs that prepare students directly for military or police careers.
The Dubai Scene The quality and breadth of highereducation programmes offered by universities continues to entice a greater proportion of students from Dubai, as well as attract new students from around the world. With more than 160 business programmes on offer, Dubai has become a niche destination for international business students. Yet it has also diversified the range of programmes available. The lastyear has seen an eight per cent increase in overall programmes, many of these in areas such as media, humanities, law and natural and physical sciences. The number of students studying higher education in Dubai continues to grow. The total of 52,586 students, including both full-time and part-time students, represents a healthy 9.4 per cent increase from last year’s total, which is above the long term trend of 7 per cent yearon-year growth over the last five years.Over 70 per cent (37,540) of students at higher education institutions in Dubai are studying for a Bachelor’s degree. A total of 351 students are completing doctoral studies. According to a study by Alpen Capital reported in ICEF monitor in Sept’14, current tertiary enrolment of 115,510 students (2013 figures) is projected to rise to nearly 154,000 by 2019, with primary and secondary enrolment jumping from 785,229 to over 956,000 during the same period. It appears that a growing reputation for quality education, along with friendly visa policies, will continue to attract students from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to the UAE. DIAC currently has a 25 Academic Institutions, from 10 different countries and is host to a community of over 24,000 students from 145 nationalities who have access to over 400 Higher Education programmes. Reflecting the nature of the business environment in Dubai, business remains the main field of study by students in 56
higher education institutions. Relatively few numbers of students are studying qualifications in the natural sciences.
Education System The higher education institutions in UAE offer higher national diplomas, certificates, undergraduate and postgraduate studies. While some of these are awarded by local institutions, others are branch campuses of institutions from countries such as Canada, United States, the UK, Australia, India, Pakistan, France and other European countries. The duration of courses vary depending on the parent institution. The country now has 75 recognised institutions offering 860 accredited programs. The Council for Academic Accreditation, functioning under the Ministry of Education is entrusted the task of accrediting programmes. The stringent measures followed by the CAA to ensure quality of service delivery, streamlines procedures and safe guards the interest of students. The growing importance of the higher education sector to Dubai’s economic development is supported by Resolution 21, which entitles graduates from all private universities in Dubai to have their degrees certified by KHDA, and guarantees that their qualifications will be recognised by the public and private sector in Dubai for all purposes.
Types of Qualifications Schools, colleges, Universities and Institutes in the UAE offer a variety of programmes from various countries to suit the country’s multi-cultural society. One can get a two year vocational program or B. Tech from the UK, a three year Indian or British degree or a four year American or Canadian one, the choice is yours. Vocational courses varying from jewellery design, sound engineering, and film production to hotel management are on offer along with traditional degree options in a wide variety of specializations. To meet the country’s growing needs, institutions are designing newer programmes that will improve employability and make the younger generation skilled, contributing citizens.
UAE Facilities
Visas
Being relatively new, the educational institutions here have the latest technology, resources and laboratories. Research and technical collaboration for sharing resources and knowledge are being facilitated by strategic partnerships between academic institutions and the industry. Housing options are available in the form of furnished apartments, dormitories and home stays. Costs vary depending on the location, size of the room and number of people sharing the facility. Visit individual web sites for the details.
For all male students above the age of 18, a student visa is mandatory. To secure this, the institution requires the following documents: 1. Student Visa Application Form (Student Entry Permit) 2. Eight passport size photographs taken with a white background 3. Student Enrolment Contract. This is required for Knowledge Village students. 4. An official offer letter without any conditions 5. Four photocopies the applicant’s passport (including pages showing UAE visit visa or residence visa, if application is made locally) 6. Copy of a personal bank statement showing minimum of AED30,000; this should be recent and have the stamp and signature of a bank official. Alternatively a financial sponsorship letter from parents or guardians indicating their willingness to bear the financial responsibility for the tuition and cost of living. 7. A copy of the receipt showing payment of full tuition and student visa charges Forms related to the visa processing can be secured from the sponsoring institution. Health Insurance is mandatory and an annual fee ranging from AED1200 to AED2000 will be charged for the same. Students seeking sponsorship for visa need to bear the costs and this may range from AED 6,000 to AED 7,000/. Costs will also be incurred during the annual renewal of visa and a sum of AED 1,200 to 2,200/ may be charged for every visa renewal. These amounts can vary depending on the current laws and individual institution’s rules.
Application Process Students can fill forms online or approach institutions directly to seek admission. Most institutions need to see a minimum of 12 years of schooling. If you seek enrolment directly after O levels, you would need to do a foundation year. Based on the programme of study sought, there will be a minimum requirement in terms of grades or marks secured. This could vary with each institution.
Admission Requirements The majority of institutions in the UAE have a September intake. Some offer summer programmes and a few have a January intake. Most institutions require a TOEFL or IELTS score to demonstrate English proficiency. Some establishments conduct their own entrance exam. The varying norms of entry requirements make it advisable to contact and reconfirm with institutions individually.
Deadlines Admissions open in April and offers are made through September. Admissions get finalised after the schools’ final exam results are announced between May and July. International students applying from overseas are advised to secure their residence visa in time for the commencement of the programme.
Fees, Finances & Scholarships Costs vary greatly between institutions and can range from AED2000 to AED5000 a month. Some of the institutions offer merit scholarships. Scholarships are also offered by some leading business houses and MNCs, criteria for this could vary.
Web Sites of Use Commission for Academic Accreditation www.caa.ae Knowledge Village- www.kv.ae Academic City- www.diacedu.ae Knowledge and Human Development Authority- www.khda.gov.ae Ras Al Khaimah Institutions www.rakftz.com Abu Dhabi: www.adec.ac.ae
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SAT Redesign Poses New Challenges for Applicants to U.S. Colleges Ten years ago, the SAT exam eliminated analogies, to the delight students around the world. Beloved by logicians and English teachers alike – but reviled by many students – analogies required students to identify the logical and etymological relationship among two sets of words. By Josh Stephens
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nalogies gave way to a host of new questions, and a whole new SAT section: the Writing section, replete with an essay. Now, an even more dramatic update to the SAT is on the horizon. While the new exam, set to debut in January 2016, may not be any more difficult than the current one, the uncertainty surrounding it has raised questions and concerns among the millions of high school students in grades 9 and 10 who are thinking of applying to universities in the United States. The SAT is not nearly as challenging or crucial as are national exams such as China’s infamous gao kao, but it does offer a significant opportunity for students to strengthen their applications. 58
“While the SAT is not the most important element of a student’s application, ambitious students must always familiarize themselves with the exam and study as effectively as possible,”said Dr. Megan Stubbendeck, Director of Instruction at ArborBridge, a U.S.-based test preparation copmany. The redesigned SAT is intended to more faithfully reflect concepts that students learn in high school than the current exam does. The College Board, which runs the SAT, also intends to make it harder for students to use “tricks” that help them identify correct answers without understanding the actual concepts that are being tested. The redesign of the SAT includes the following major changes: Writing and Critical Reading will be replaced by a single section called “Evidence-Based Reading and Writing”
Questions in this section will place less emphasis on vocabulary and more on interpretation of words in context and overall meaning of a sentence or passage Some questions will even ask students to interpret graphics, thus assigning words to images The Math section will include more word problems, less geometry, and a small amount of pre-calculus No scoring penalty (negative points) will be assessed for incorrect answers The essay, which will be optional, will be based on a student’s interpretation of a writing passage and analysis of the passage’s argument; it will not be open-ended and personal such as the current essay is. These changes will take effect, for all testtakers, in January 2016. In the meantime, three parallel debates are taking place among
current students, many of whom are anxious taking an untested, brand-new exam: When should I take the SAT? How do I study for the new SAT? Should I take the ACT instead? Let’s look at each question in turn:
When should I take the SAT? The new SAT will not affect current 12th or 11th graders (Years 13 and 12 in the British system) who are applying according to conventional application calendars. Current 11th graders will submit their applications by January 2016 and therefore will have had to complete all testing by then. Current 9th graders may take the “old” SAT for another year. However, they are unlikely to achieve their highest scores so soon. They are better off waiting for the new SAT to come out and focusing all of their attention on it (or opting for the ACT; see below). 59
Current 10th graders face the most vexing challenge. With accelerated studying, a 10th grader can attempt to finish her testing by December 2015. But, if she doesn’t get the score she wants by then, then she will have to study anew for the new SAT. As of January 2016, a current 10th grader will have 5-6 available test dates before the college application deadlines arrive in November 2016 and January 2017. How do I study for the new SAT? In many respects, the most effective ways to study for the new SAT follow the same principles as do those for the old SAT. Whether new or old, the SAT generally covers material that students already know, such as basic grammar, algebra, and reading. It simply presents that material in unfamiliar ways. It’s important for students precisely identify two things: 1) foundational material that students simply do not know; and 2) the material that students know but cannot consistently apply to the exam. In both cases, students’ lessons can be precisely calibrated to fill in gaps and help students quickly adapt to the exam. “New SAT questions will follow a different format, but foundational concepts will remain the same,” said Stubbendeck. “Students can maintain their current approaches to foundational concepts, but they will have to reorient themselves to the new style of questions. This will happen quickly for students taking it in 2016.” Stubbendeck recommends that students take practice exams and make every effort to pinpoint their weaknesses. No matter what, rote memorization is almost never an effective strategy. It takes up too much time, does not help students truly learn important concepts, and does not enable students to adapt to unfamiliar questions. Should I take the ACT instead? This is the question that the College Board does not want students to ask. Though the ACT is less well known overseas than the SAT is, every student in the United States knows that the ACT carries just as much 60
weight in the admissions process as does the SAT. Most colleges will accept scores from either exam, without prejudice or favoritism towards either one. “The general rule of thumb is to take the test when you are ready and to take the test that has changed the least at that point,” said Stubbendeck. But, she cautioned, “each student is unique and may have additional factors to consider in making this decision.” The ACT is remaining largely unchanged for the foreseeable future. Therefore, 10th and 9th graders who do not want to be “guinea pigs” for the new SAT can easily opt for the tried-andtrue ACT. They can also rely on established studying curricula and seasoned tutors. So, there’s a new analogy to consider: SAT : Change :: ACT : a) Predictability b) Respectability c) Stability d) All of the above e) None of the above For some ambitious students, the clear answer is D. Tutoring Resources from ArborBridge ArborBridge offers personalized test preparation, with elite tutors and the world’s most advanced SAT curriculum, to students around the world. For free demonstration lessons and consultations, please visit: aarborbridge.com/ test-prep/ The New SAT For more insight into the new SAT, please see ArborBridge’s blog series: arborbridge.com/ new-sat-part-1-overview/ SAT/ACT Timeline Here is ArborBridge’s recommended timeline for students taking the SAT and/or ACT in the next three years: arborbridge.com/infographictest-take/ Veteran educator Josh Stephens is ArborBridge’s Director of International Development. He introduces ArborBridge’s (www.ArborBridge.com) tutoring services to schools and students around the world. A former college counselor, he graduated from Princeton University and received his master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University.
USA
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United States of
America
According to EducationUSA, there are over 4000 accredited Universities and colleges spread over the 50 states of America. Of these, more than 650 are public four year institutions while more than 1,100 are public two year institutions.
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hese public state-run institutions have a lower tuition fee but financial assistance tend to be limited. There are over 2000 four year private institutions both for profit and not for profit. Such private institutions mostly have higher tuition and fees but financial assistance may be provided. The plethora of course offerings provided by the institutions spread over the country is mind boggling. Should finance, pre-requisite tests or GPA be an issue, students can also consider 63
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enrolling at a community college for a two year Associate degree. On successful completion of the two year programme, they could transfer to another institution to complete their degree. While choosing an institution, it is important to consider factors like size, location, costs, financial aid, research opportunities, international student services and entry requirements. As there are so many institutions and programmes to choose from, you need to invest considerable amount of time in researching options and identifying the right fit. The 2014 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, released in November 2014, finds the number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States
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increased by eight percent to a record high of 886,052 students in the 2013/14 academic year, making it the top destination of choice for higher education. The United States hosts more of the world’s 4.5 million globally mobile college and university students than any other country in the world, with almost double the number hosted by the United Kingdom, the second leading host country. The report also found that more American students—a total of 289,408— studied abroad for academic credit from their U.S. colleges and universities, although the two percent increase represents a slightly slower rate of growth than the previous year. The same report stated that forty-one states experienced growth in the number of
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international students, with 18 states growing at a faster rate than the national increase of 8 percent. New York University became the leading host university for international students this year, after twelve years during which University of Southern California was the leader. For the first time ever, four institutions broke the 10,000 mark: New York University, University of Southern California, University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign, and Columbia University, which each hosted more than 10,000 international students. The Open Doors® report is published annually by the Institute of International Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Studying in the U.S. is a dream of many international students. More than 75 percent of international students indicated motivation to “expand career and life opportunities” and “quality higher education options” as the top two reasons that motivated them to study in the U.S., according to a recent survey of nearly 5,000 international students by World Education Services.
Application process While applying to institutions in America, you can apply through the common application website www.commonapp.org, the universal college application website universalcollegeapp.com/ or directly through the institution’s website as per the policies of the institution. Use the www.applytexas.org website for schools in the Texas system and the UC common application for the 10 schools in the California system. Their web site is: http:// www.universityofcalifornia.edu/
Supporting documents You would need to submit transcripts of the last three years, one or more essay, information on extra-curricular activities including sports, voluntary work and leadership initiatives undertaken; information on summer courses/ internships etc. Your teacher and/or counsellor will be invited 66
to send confidential letters of recommendation online along with the profile of the school. Students will also be asked to send TOEFL and SAT/ACT scores directly from the Education Testing Service and College Board. An IELTS or PET score can be submitted instead of the TOEFL to demonstrate English proficiency. Some institutions would need SAT II subject tests as well. Certain schools may not require SAT scores from international students. Also, ACT scores may be submitted in lieu of the SAT. www. actstudent.org has information on the ACT. With the SAT changing its structure, moe students are opting for the ACT. Please note that supplementary forms may be required from you so ensure that you read instructions carefully. Students who wish to pursue Art, Design or Architecture will also be required to submit a portfolio. Extracurricular pursuits and internships undertaken need to be reported and are looked upon favourably. If you wish to apply for an early decision or early action, the deadline is usually in November. You can visit individual websites for the specific dates. Students wishing to apply for admission to University of California for the fall term must submit an application by November 30th of the year prior to enrolment. Most other institutions have a January 1 deadline for the autumn intake under regular decision. For the January intake, applications must be sent in by October.
Scholarships Merit based scholarships are granted on academic merit. There are also grants awarded to students who have demonstrated financial need. Some universities need additional forms and essays for scholarship consideration while at others, every applicant is automatically considered for scholarship at entry.
Visa process
The process of applying for an F-1 student visa begins with acceptance to an American college or university. Following admission, the educational institution in the United States will issue a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student Status (I-20 form) and provide that to
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the student. Sponsoring academic institutions are required to enter accepted foreign students’ names into SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System. Students should verify with their sponsoring academic institution that they are entered into SEVIS before they apply for a visa. Upon receiving the I-20 form, students are required to pay a SEVIS fee online at http://www.fmjfee.com and take a printed copy of this receipt to the visa interview. US immigration policy requires that all foreign students submit proof of financial support for their studies. The financial guarantee may take
Web sites of use: www.collegeboard.com (Information on SAT) www.toefl.org (English proficiency test) www.educationUSA.state.gov: EducationUSA website University and College Search www. collegeboard.com / www.petersons.com Accreditation:www.chea.org/ US Department of Education: www.ope. ed.gov/accreditation Post graduate Admissions: www.gre.org (Graduate Record Examination) Graduate Management Admission Test: www.gmat.org / www.mba.com Medicine College Admission Test: www. aamc.org/students/mcat Law School Admission Test: www.lsat. org There are two Education USA centers in U.A.E. one located in the American Embassy premises in Abu Dhabi and the other in the American Consulate in Dubai. They can be contacted by emailing EducationUSAAbudhabi@ state.gov or EducationUSADubai@ state.gov Source: EducationUSA Website and American Embassy website
the form of a bank statement or a letter from a sponsoring agency. For further information on documents needed, visit: http://abudhabi. usembassy.gov/niv/students.html
Documents needed during the Visa interview: Form I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student StatusFor Academic and Language Students or Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students. You will need to submit a SEVIS generated Form, I-20, which was provided to you by your institution.You and your school official must sign the I-20 form. Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160. Visit the DS-160 webpage to learn more about the DS-160 online process. A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in the passport, each person desiring a visa must complete an application. One (1) 2x2 photograph. A MRV fee receipt to show payment of the visa application fee. The SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. Applicants should also provide the following documents: Transcripts and diplomas from previous institutions attended; Scores from standardized tests required by the educational institution such as the TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, etc.(As applicable); Financial evidence that shows you or your parents who are sponsoring you have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study. For example, if you or your sponsor is a salaried employee, please take original bank books and/ or statements. If you or your sponsor owns a business, please take business registration, licenses, etc. and original bank statements. 67
Canada
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Canada
Canada offers a mind blowing array of undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral qualifications along with certificate, Diploma and professional qualifications.
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ducation in Canada falls under the jurisdiction of the country’s ten provinces and three territories. Membership in Universities Canada requires adherence to set principles of institutional quality assurance that are reaffirmed every five years. The Assn. of Universities and Colleges of Canada represent 97 public and private notfor-profit universities and university degreelevel colleges. (www.aucc.ca) Besides this, there are over 150 members of the Assn. Of Canadian Community Colleges (www. accc.ca) these are public institutions offering credentials sanctioned by provincial and the territorial government. Programs vary in length from a few months to four years. The courses are mostly practical and offer work placements. Historically, these institutions 69
CANADA
offered diplomas and certificates, not degrees. However, these days, some of them award degrees as well. As per the latest statistics, 1.7million students study in degree programmes of these, 979,000 are full time students and 312,000 are part time. Furthermore, $12.4 billion worth of research activities performed in 2014. www.univcan.ca/ canadian-universities/facts-and-stats. In January of 2014, Canada launched its International Education Strategy with an expressed goal 70
to double international enrolment to 450,000 students by 2022. According to data released at the annual conference of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), the country continues to track toward this ambitious goal. The number of international students in Canada has increased by 84% over the last decade, growing 22.8% from 2011 to 2013 and 11% from 2012 to 2013. Canada is accepting more and more international students, and more of those
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Balmoral Hall School believes girls can do anything. With over 114 years of history, we know how girls learn, and how to teach them to be strong, confident leaders in the careers of their dreams. We offer an exceptional boarding experience for girls from Grades 6 - 12: • 100% of graduates accepted to their first choice of university around the world • Advanced Placement level courses translate into first year credit or preferred placement at universities across North America • Small class sizes, passionate teachers, state-of-the-art facilties create an outstanding learning experience • Safe and nurturing boarding environment includes staff on duty 24/7, with enriching activities on evenings and weekends • Personalized ESL/IELTS classes develop proficiency in English
Visit www.balmoralhall.com for complete details and to see our school video. Email Adele Stevens with your questions: astevens@balmoralhall.net.
ADVERTORIAL
Classes are back in session, and if this is your final year of high school, it’s time to get to work on your university applications!
New York University wants to help you craft the best application possible:one that will impress the admissions committee at the college of your dreams. (Speaking of dreams, did you know that NYU has yet again been ranked on Princeton Review’s list of top five “dream schools” for students and parents?) 1. The System: NYU, like many US universities, uses the online Common Application. Be sure to set up your account and start exploring the system early in your senior year (it becomes available each August). You’ll find our New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai campuses all on one “New York University” application. Everything listed below will ultimately be submitted through the Common Application system for a school like NYU. 2. The List: We recommend that students consider a minimum of five to seven schools: one or two aspirational schools where admission is uncertain given overall selectivity, two schools where admission seems likely, and two or three schools where you find yourself in the middle – admission to those schools seems within the realm of possibility, but you would not be surprised should you only gain admission to two of the three, or even one of the three. Build your list of schools on your own, away from parents, counselors and friends. And make sure that your values align with those of the universities you’ve selected. Do you value an intimate, discussion-based classroom setting? Or, a big university with a spirited student body that shows up to every sports game on campus? Or, an experience in which your classroom extends beyond one city to span the entire world through study away opportunities, like at any campus of NYU? 72
3. The Essay: Write your first draft as early as possible during your senior year (or even during the summer before senior year!). Allow the words to flow not from your brain, but from your heart. Once you have finished, ask others for their thoughts and advice – but make sure the end result remains your own. Gradually revise and tighten your essay into one that truly reflects who you are through responding to one of the essay prompts, and also shows off your very best writing and English skills. 4. The Recommendations: Check in with your teachers as early as possible to ask if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation. Try to ask teachers who know you well and are going to add a fresh, new perspective to your overall application. Remind them that their teacher recommendation should give specific examples of your achievements and personal qualities as displayed in their class. You will also need a recommendation from a counselor. Unlike the teacher recommendation, the counselor should try to give a broader picture of your impact on various aspects of the school community, both in and out of the classroom. 5. The Activities: The extracurricular activities section of the Common Application is either going to help you, or hurt you. It breaks our hearts when students either leave the section blank, or put little effort into completing a section which helps the admissions committee to see how you have defined yourself over the last four years. Include activities in a thoughtful order which highlights leadership and initiative. Avoid acronyms, even if you think that they are universally known. Engagement shown in secondary school and on this page should hint at the type of student you will be on-campus in university: an artist or an activist, an intellectual or introvert, an entrepreneur or an educator.
While the basics provided above can certainly assist as you begin the college application process, there are many other questions which will come up between now and the deadline. So here’s your final piece of advice: remember, admissions counselors are here to help! Get in touch with the NYU Admissions Team for our campuses in Abu Dhabi, Shanghai or New York at admissions@ nyu.edu, our visit our team in Abu Dhabi at an upcoming event: nyuad.nyu.edu/admissions-events. Anna Dechert Associate Director of Admissions New York University Abu Dhabi Beau Benson Senior Assistant Director, Undergraduate Admissions New York University 73
CANADA international students are deciding to immigrate – recent data from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) shows. CIC is also rolling out new initiatives to help improve visa application processing times for international students. According to the latest Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada - AUCC report, Canada has 1.2 million students in degree programs. Of these, 898,400 are full-time students, while 275,800 are part-time students and they are taught by 42,000 full-time professors. It also states that $10 billion worth of research activities are carried out in these educational institutions. More than half of all university undergraduates benefit from a co-op or internship experience before they graduate. (Source: Based on data from the Canadian Association for Co-operative
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Education and Canadian University Survey Consortium).The number of students in coop programs jumped 25 percent in just seven years, from 53,000 students in 2006-07 to more than 65,000 in 2013. In total, last year more than 1,000 co-op programs were offered to students at 59 universities in Canada. (Source: Canadian Association for Co-operative Education and AUCC estimates). Within five to seven years after graduation, 96% of university graduates are working full-time and their median income is $63,000. (Source: 2013 Canadian University Baccalaureate Graduate Outcomes Survey). Between May 2008 and May 2014, more than twice as many net new jobs were created for university graduates than for college and trades
CANADA graduates combined (878,000 and 437,000 respectively). (Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey).
Application Process The University year is usually September to April, intakes being September and January. As the application process is competitive and the deadlines vary, it is best if to apply six to eight months before the start date of the program. Most students apply to multiple institutions. American curriculum students will need to send a SAT score. For students from other curricula, although SAT is not mandatory, some institutions may require it for scholarship consideration. It is best to check admission requirements of individual institutional websites. For undergraduate admission, academic
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records from grade 9 to the most recent will be reviewed as part of the admissions process. A good academic profile is given preference. Extracurricular activities are looked upon favorably by Canadian institutions. Students who wish to take up commerce related subjects should take up Mathematics in high school. Prospective international students should demonstrate proficiency in English or French as per the language of instruction in the institution/s being considered. Test of English as a Foreign language
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(TOEFL) the International Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test de francais international (TFI) are the tests necessary. Preparatory courses before the commencement of the program may be needed for those with inadequate scores. The province of Ontario, Alberta and that of British Columbia have a centralized application system for admission. The Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC), Ontario’s application hub started in 1971 and can be accessed by visiting: http://www.ouac.on.ca/ Some Universities want
CANADA
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CANADA you to include ID slips that they will mail you once you have done the initial application. British Columbia’s centralized application system can be accessed through myBCcampus. To apply to Alberta, visit its centralized online application and transcript transfer system through www.applyalberta. ca. After completing the online application, you would need to send all supporting documents like transcripts, reference letters, essays, proof of language proficiency etc. so that your application gets reviewed and processed. Remember to include your student ID number for easy reference. Professional courses like Medicine, Dentistry, law, architecture etc may need one more test as a pre requisite.
Working off-campus The Off-Campus Work Permit Program authorizes students to work up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks (for example, winter and summer holidays, and spring break).
Co-op/internships The Co-op/Internship Work Permit Program is available to international students whose intended employment is an essential part of their program of study in Canada as certified by their Canadian academic institution. The work portion of this program can form up to 50 percent of the program of study.
On-campus work opportunities International students who hold valid study permits and who are studying full time at eligible Canadian public and private universities or colleges may also be eligible to work on-campus at the institution where they study without a work permit.
Study Permit Once accepted at a college or university, in order to study in Canada for a period of six months or more, you need to apply for a study permit from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).To study in Quebec; you must also secure a Certificate of Acceptance from the Province of Quebec. Applicants below eighteen years of age also 81
CANADA
need to submit an undertaking of guardianship from a citizen of Canada. To apply for a study permit on or after June 1, 2014, you will need to identify the institution by its designated learning institution number on the application form. This number can be found on the designated learning institution list, which will be published on the CIC website by June 1, 2014. You must also meet the standard eligibility criteria for a study permit. You must prove that you have enough money to pay for your: tuition fees; living expenses for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada; and return transportation for yourself and any family members who come with you to Canada. You must be a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record and not be a risk to the security of Canada.You may have to provide a police certificate. You must be in good health and willing to undergo a medical examination, if necessary. 82
You must satisfy an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your authorized stay.
Six months or less of study A study permit is not needed if you want to take short-term courses or programs of study of six months or less. You may enrol in short-term programs at any learning institution, regardless of whether or not it is designated. If, however, you would like to get a study permit for studies of six months or less, you must attend a designated learning institution. If you are from a non-visa-exempt country, you must have a valid visitor visa.
New Regulations: Canada is introducing a new Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) for all visitors from visaexempt countries The move affects all international students planning to study in the country The eTA is mandatory as of 15 March 2016;
Contact us now: +971 (0) 4 282 9992 Location: Al Garhoud, close to Dubai International Airport Opposite Dubai Festival City
CANADA Travel Authorisation (eTA) requirement for foreign visitors this year, including •1.7 million students in degree programs international students. Modelled on similar • 979,000 full-time students programmes in the US and • 312,000 part-time Australia the eTA applies to students all visiting students from visa• More than 46,000 full-time professors exempt countries whether in 2013 travelling on a tourist or • Universities are student visa. US citizens are a $30-billion among those excempt from enterprise the eTA requirements, as • $12.4 billion worth of research are diplomatic officials and activities performed travellers in transit to the in 2014 United States. Source: Visitors to Canada are now www.univcan.ca/ encouraged to apply for an canadian-universities/ eTA at the earliest opportunity, facts-and-stats/ even before booking travel arrangements. As of 1 August 2015, applications can be made online. CIC has indicated that many authorisations are granted within minutes of application but that their intention otherwise is to process files within 72 hours. Each application costs CDN$7 (US$5) and once issued an eTA is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport and valid for a period of five years. You need the following documents to apply for a study permit: 1. Proof of acceptance 2. Proof of identity 3. Proof of financial support 4. Letter of explanation In addition to these documents, you may have to provide other information when you apply for a study permit. Check the visa office instructions for your country or region for local requirements. If you are not a citizen of the country where you submit your application, you may have to provide proof of your present immigration status in the country where you apply. If the government that issued your passport or travel document requires a re-entry permit, you must get one before you apply for a Canadian visa. Other documents may also be required.
Facts at a glance
applications may be made online from 1 August 2015 Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is moving to implement a new Electronic
Web Sites of use: Canadian Education: www. educationau-incanada.ca Profiles of Canadian Institutions: www. universitystudy.ca Canadian Embassy Abu Dhabi: www. abudhabi.gc.ca Scholarships: www.canlearn.ca, www. studentawards.com Internships, Coops: www.cic.gc.ca/ english/study/work.asp Study Permits: http://www.cic.gc.ca/ english/study/study.asp Post graduation work permits: www.cic. gc.ca/english/study/work-postgrad.asp
Source: www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study-changes.asp 84
ADVERTORIAL
Study in Canada Fairs UAE: Abu Dhabi & Dubai Imagine studying in Canada! Canada is home to some of the world’s top universities, colleges, and other academic institutions. Canadian higher education offers superior academic curricula, cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art campuses, and professional and personal experience to last a lifetime. Canada is home to a safe, multicultural, vibrant society and a dynamic 21st century economy. With almost all of the world’s ethnic groups represented in Canada, students interact with many different cultures; this broader, more international perspective is also a valuable attribute that is attractive to employers worldwide.
focus on undergraduate student recruitment and include school visits and “Study in Canada” fairs. The “Study in Canada” fairs connect students to education opportunities in Canada, showcasing a variety of programs offered by the participating Canadian institutions. Students will have the opportunity to come and talk with representatives from Canadian universities, colleges and schools to find out more about the programs on offer and their respective entry requirements. Representatives from the Canadian Embassy’s Visa Section will also be present to answer student’s questions about the application process for Canadian student permits. Come to discover how studying in Canada can help you achieve your dreams and secure your future!
The Edu-Canada MENA Tour 2015 will be visiting Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Consisting of representatives from 28 Canadian universities, colleges and schools, it will
Edu-Canada MENA Tour 2015 Abu Dhabi: October 19th, 2015 from 5pm-9pm at Le Royal Meridien Hotel
Dubai: October 21st, 2015 from 5pm-9pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Sheikh Zayed Road
For more information visit us at:
w w w. e d u c a t i o n a u - i n c a n a d a . c a 85
UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom offers a wide variety in courses at various levels and some UK universities are among the oldest in the world while others are among the newest.
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any provide degrees with a strong vocational foundation and enjoy good links with businesses and professional organisations. Another important advantage is the opportunity to hone your English language skills or learn English as part of the university preparation or foundation programme. The UK higher education system is internationally recognized. The standard and quality is guaranteed by official bodies like the Qualifications Curriculum 86
Authority (QCA) which recognises the quality of the university’s teaching and general facilities and RAE that examines the Research Assessment Exercise and publishes its findings every five years. The assessment results are freely available on the internet. The Higher Education funding councils also provide information on quality assurance through the UK- wide Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. In 2013/14, there were 160 publicly-funded
UK higher education providers (HEPs). HESA holds data on these 160 HE providers plus the privately funded HE provider, The University of Buckingham. In 2012/13 there were 425,265 non-UK domicile students studying at UK HE providers. This was a fall in numbers from 435,235 the year before following a continuous year-on-year rise since HESA started collecting data in 1995. Unsurprisingly the highest numbers of students came from the world’s two most populous countries, China and India. Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency Students who wish to pursue an academic education may select a three year undergraduate degree followed by post graduate studies or research. Entrance qualification is a minimum of three A level qualification or its equivalent. As an alternative, students can enroll in an access, foundation or bridging course before enrolling in the degree programme. Students who want vocational training can combine their training with job-related skills. Apart from Universities and institutes, UK also has further education colleges that offer courses to adults over 18 years of age that make them more employable. By combining vocational education with academic study, one can gain skills in broad occupational areas, together with an academic content that is accepted as entry to a degree course. Most UK Bachelor’s degrees are three years in duration while Masters programmes can be completed in one year. The degrees enable you to join the work force sooner so it becomes financially affordable. www.educationuk.org – provides comprehensive information for anyone considering studies in the UK along with links to local British Council offices.
Application Process The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) co-ordinates applications to full time first degrees, foundation degrees, Higher National Diplomas etc. ‘Apply’ section in the UCAS site leads to the online application system. One can apply to five institutions through the UCAS. You can only submit one application in each application cycle.You would need to provide
the email address of an academic referee who will then be invited by UCAS to send a reference letter. The application fee for this service can be paid online by credit card.UCAS allows you to track your application status.
Admission Requirements Prospective international students should demonstrate proficiency in English by furnishing an IELTS score. If you do not meet the required level of English, you could enroll in an English language preparation course. Entry Requirement may vary for each type of course and subject. College prospectuses will list them under ‘Minimum Entry Requirements’. As part of the UCAS form, you are asked to write a personal statement. This descriptive account gives you the opportunity to speak about your academic and personal goals and tell the institutions not just about your academic capability but also the kind of activities you have undertaken both within school and outside. Apart from this, courses like Law, Medicine, Dentistryetc may need entrance exams like LNAT, UKCAT, or BMAT and interviews. Students hoping to pursue Art, Architecture or Film may have to submit a portfolio. It is best to check the requirements on line before preparing your UCAS application.
Deadlines Students, who wish to apply for the Medicine, Dentistry or veterinary scienceprogrammes, would need to apply before 15th of October and can opt only for four institutions. Thisdeadline is shared by Oxford, Cambridge andthe Oxbridge programmesas well. For all other programmes, international students can apply up until end June but the earlier you apply, the better your chances. Most institutions will give you conditional acceptance based on your predicted grades and previous academic history if you apply before your Board exam results are declared. Some of the institutions offering Law would need you to sit a national exam called LNAT – National Admission test for Law. For Medical entrance you would need BMAT(Biomedical AdmissionTest) or UKCAT(UK 87
Clinical Aptitude test) and an interview while admission departments of Art, Film and Architecture may want to see your portfolio. Each institution sets its own admission criteria. Academic records of applicants are reviewed as part of the admissions process. The university year is usually from September to April, with intakes in September and January. As the application process is competitive and deadlines vary, it is best to apply six to eight months before the start date of the desired programme of study. It is also advisable to apply to multiple institutions to avoid disappointment.
Fees, Finances & Scholarships UK course fees vary depending on what you are going to study and for how long. The cost of foundation courses may range from 4000 to 12000 pounds, Arts courses range between 7 to 9000 a year, Science courses range from 7500 to 12000 per year. Clinical courses vary from 7500 to 12,000 pounds. The cost of living varies between different regions of the UK. It is safest to allocate 1000 pounds if living in London and 800 pounds per month elsewhere. For the visa application, the applicant needs to have the funds in the account for a period of one month both tuition as well as maintenance. You will need to contact the universities and colleges that you are considering for precise information on course fees and financial help available to you. Most universities and colleges will also display this information on their websites. However, competition for study grants is intense and most often you would need to be nominated by the Government. If you wish to attend an institution in UK, you should apply for scholarship one year before commencement of the course. Some institutions offer bursaries or fee waivers toward your room and board. The British Council nearest to you will be able to provide information on scholarships.
Visas You can find out if you need a visa on the UK Border Agency website. Applying can take some time, so it is important to apply well in advance of your intended date of travel.You can find out about visa processing times in your country on UKBA’s visa service pages. There are a number of different types of visa available. Most students will under Tier 88
4 student applicant category discussed here: Tier 4 (Child) student: You can apply as a child student under Tier 4 of the points-based system if you are between 4 and 17 years old. If you are between 4 and 15 years old, you must be go to the UK to be educated at an independent feepaying school. You can find out more in the UKBA’s Studying in the UK pages.
Tier 4 In July 2011 the UK Government announced some changes to Tier 4 student visas.You can find the latest information on the UK Border Agency website. For adult Tier 4 (General) and child students coming on Tier 4 (Child) student visas, the UK has a points-based visa system which is designed to be objective and transparent. To apply, you need to gain 40 points. This includes 30 points for a“confirmation of acceptance for studies”(CAS) from the university, college or school where you want to study. Your chosen place of study must be on the UKBA’s official Register of Tier 4 Sponsors (approved education providers). This register is designed to give you peace of mind that you are applying to join a genuine institution. The remaining 10 points comes from demonstrating that you can afford to cover your fees and living costs to study in the UK. This has been put in place to help you avoid any financial difficulties that might affect your ability to complete your studies. The first year’s tuition fees and living expenses should be in the bank for a period of one month before one applies for the visa. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you have the legal right to live independently in the UK, and you may make your own arrangements for accommodation. However, you will need the permission of your parent(s) or legal guardian if you want to: live independently while you are in the UK; and Travel to the UK (if you are applying from overseas). If you will be living independently, you must furnish a letter from your parent(s) or legal guardian, confirming: their relationship with you; that they have given their permission for your application; and
UK that they have given their permission for you to live independently in the UK; and that they have given their permission for your independent travel to the UK. If the letter is signed by only 1 parent or legal guardian, it must confirm that they have legal custody or sole responsibility for you. If they do not have sole custody, the letter must confirm that each parent or legal guardian agrees to the contents of the letter, and must be signed by each parent or legal guardian. You can apply for a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK if you’re 16 or over and you: have been offered a place on a course proof of proficiency in English have enough money to support yourself and pay for your course – the amount will vary depending on your circumstances
Documents you must provide When you apply for the visa you must provide: A current passport or other valid travel documentation One passport sized colour photograph with your name written on the reverse side Proof that you can support yourself and pay for your course – this can vary depending on your circumstances and proof of funds must be for a period of one year and the amount should be in your account for a period of one month. Details will be on your CAS(Confirmation of acceptance of studies) Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18 Your tuberculosis test results if you’re from a country where you have to take the test You need a page in your passport that’s blank on both sides for your visa. You may also need to provide additional documents depending on your circumstances. Your documents will usually be sent back within 14 days.
When to apply You can apply from 3 months before the start of your course. You’ll usually get a decision on your visa within 3 weeks. You can check visa processing times for your country.
Fees It costs £322 to apply for this visa from outside the UK. You must pay £322 per person for any dependants.
How long you can stay You can arrive in the UK before your course starts: up to 1 week before, if your course lasts 6 months or less up to 1 month before, if your course lasts more than 6 months How long you can stay depends on the kind of course you’re doing and what study you’ve already completed. As of 6 April 2015, immigration surcharges will be introduced that means that non-EEA migrants coming to the UK for more than six months will need to pay a contribution of £150 (students) or £200 (other migrants) to use NHS services. As the documentation and regulations may be revised, please depend on the UK Government website for the most updated information.
Web Sites of Use: Association of Colleges in UK and Wales www.aoc.co.uk Association of Colleges in Scotland www.ascol.org.uk Central Admissions Service: www.ucas.ac.uk UK Accreditation Council www.the-bac.org Information on UK Education: www.britishcouncil.org/me Information on scholarships: www.educationuk.org/scholarships Quality Assurance Agency: www.qaa.ac.uk English Test: Int’l English Language Testing System: www.ielts.org UK Visa Information: gov.uk Tier 4 visas: www.gov.uk/tier-4-general-visa 89
Australia
Australia Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,200 institutions and over 22,000 courses to choose from. You can study at all levels of education from primary and secondary school, to vocational education and training (VET), from English language courses to higher education (including universities). And regardless of what you are studying or how long you are studying for, Australia’s laws promote quality education and protection for international students.
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his includes the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 and the National Code of Practice.for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2007 (National Code). These provide nationally consistent standards for providers of education and training for international students. As an international student on a student visa, you must study with an institution and in a course that is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). CRICOS registration guarantees that the course and the institution at which you study meet the high standards expected by international students. You can search for courses and institutions on the Study in Australia website. Along with the ESOS Act and National Code, there are also regulatory and quality assurance organisations for higher education and VET institutions. These government organisations are responsible for registration/re-registration of institutions and accreditation/re-accreditation of courses. These organisations are: Higher education - Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency t(TEQSA) VET - Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) There are 43 universities in Australia (40 Australian universities, two international universities, and one private specialty university). Along with the universities, many other institutions offer higher education courses. In the 2013/2014 financial year there were 422,324 international enrolments across all forms of education in Australia, close to half of these were for higher education including postgraduate studies. Considering each state, during 2013 within the higher education sector there were 112,897 enrolments in Victoria, 86,923 enrolments in NSW, and 50,140 in Queensland. Source: Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, 30 Aug 2014 Australia is considered one of the world’s most diverse and welcoming countries. In fact, of Australia’s 23 million population, almost half (47%) of all Australians were either born overseas or have one parent born overseas. More than
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260 languages are spoken in Australian homes: in addition to English, the most common are Mandarin, Italian, Arabic, Cantonese and Greek. As per the StudyinAustralia website, Australia was recently ranked as the fourth happiest country in the world behind only Norway, Denmark and Sweden. Australia offers a diverse range of study options for international students, with more than 1,200 institutions and over 22,000 courses to choose from. Studying in Australia promotes innovative, creative and independent thinking. You’ll learn to work as part of a team, to communicate effectively with others and to develop the practical skills and intellectual abilities you need for global success. The Australian education system has a strong international reputation and is known for its effective structure and innovative policy developments. You have the freedom to choose the study option to suit your goals.You can study at Universities, vocational institutions, schools or English language training centers. These sectors are linked so you can move easily from one qualification level to the next and from one institution to another. All courses offered to international students must be approved and listed on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS). Qualifications offered to students must fit the Australian Qualifications Framework. Periodic monitoring of teaching, learning, administration and research of all institutions is conducted by government bodies. Universities are audited every five years by the Australian University Quality Agency. Vocational education and training institutions are audited by the Australian National Training Authority. These measures facilitate standardization and quality of programmes. Australia has a national regulatory and quality agency for higher education – the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).. It was established by the Australian Government to monitor quality, and regulate university and nonuniversity higher education providers against a set of standards developed by the independent Higher Education Standards Panel. In addition, student rights are protected by law under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS): 92
Australian institutions develop the creative, analytical and lateral thinking skills of students, and encourage individuality. There are in total, 41 universities; of these, 38 are government funded or public and three are private. These institutions offer Bachelor’s degree, and post graduate qualifications including Masters, graduate certificate, post graduate diploma, Masters, MPhil and PhD. Apart from this, Australia has several vocational institutions who offer skill based courses that are practical and industry linked. Some of them offer pathway programmes to Universities. The Government funded Technical and Further education institutes (TAFE) offer excellent vocational training. National agencies monitor teaching, learning, administration and research in institutions. Most Bachelors degree programmes are three years in duration while Masters level courses are one and a half to two years in duration. Students who need to improve their English proficiency, can enrol in one of the private language centers or take a pre- sessional course at one of the universities or vocational centres.
Entry requirements To be accepted to study on a student visa in Australia you will need to demonstrate a sufficient level of English language proficiency, and meet minimum academic requirements.
AUSTRALIA Academic requirements To gain entry into an Australian undergraduate course you will need to have an Australia Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12), or the overseas equivalent. Some undergraduate courses may also have specific pre-requisite subjects. For post graduate admission, apart from the satisfactory completion of at least one degree at undergraduate level, your institution may take research ability or relevant work experience into consideration. For VET or Vocational education and training courses, generally there are no other entrance exams. However some courses may have specific pre-requisite subjects or work experience requirements.
Application Process The academic year commences in February/ March and ends in October/November. There are usually two student intakes per year; one at the beginning of the academic year in February and the second in June/July. Students would need to start the application process at least 3 months in advance. English language courses are offered all through the year. You can apply directly to an Australian education institution via an online form or visit an agent that represents several Australian institutions. Individual institution would have varying admission criteria based on the programme and level of study. It is best to visit the relevant web site for specific deadlines and admission requirements.
Finances The list below gives you an indication of the range of course costs for different types of qualifications. School - $7,800 to $30,000 English language studies - Around $300 per week depending on course length Vocational Education and Training (Certificates I to IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma) - $4,000 to $22,000 Undergraduate Bachelor Degree - $15,000 to $33,000* Postgraduate Masters Degree - $20,000 to $37,000* Doctoral Degree - $14,000 to $37,000* Note: This does not include high value courses
such as veterinary and medical. Please visit institution websites directly to see costs for these courses.. Source: studyinaustralia website.
The Australian government requires that international students and their families pay for health insurance in Australia through the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) Scheme. Health care costs in Australia can be quite expensive. The cost of health insurance may be around $300 for a single person. Details of USHC provider is given here: www.health.gov.au
Scholarship There are many scholarships, grants, and bursaries which can help support you financially with your studies in Australia. They are offered by the Australian Government, education institutions, and a number of other public and private organisations. To learn more, visit: http:// www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/global/australianeducation/scholarships
Student Visa Options: Below is the list of the student visas currently available. It is imperative that you have adequate funds to undertake studies in Australia. For more detail on each visa, visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC): Independent ELICOS (Subclass 570). Schools (Subclass 571). Vocational Education and Training (Subclass 572). Higher Education (Subclass 573). Postgraduate Research (Subclass 574). Non-award (Subclass 575). AusAID or Defence (Subclass 576).
Websites of use and source: The Australian Government: www.australia.gov.au Study in Australia: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au Visa regulations: http://www.immi.gov.au/ 93
Canadian educational excellence in dynamic Dubai Canadian University Dubai (CUD) brings the world-renowned Canadian education system to a world-renowned city. Located in the heart of Dubai’s downtown business district, CUD is at the forefront of developing the UAE’s knowledge-base through a range of industry-focused undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Since 2006, the University has developed a diverse range
programs that provide students with both theoretical
of courses that equip students with the knowledge and
and practical knowledge to be a part of Dubai’s growing
skills to enter a globalized workforce. All degrees are
technology hub.
accredited by the UAE Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research, through the Commission for Academic Accreditation, ensuring that a qualification from CUD is recognized for employment and further education in the UAE and wider region. Having established itself as a portal to Canadian education, each of CUD’s undergraduate maintains partnership arrangements with institutions in Canada, enabling students to transfer, take part in an exchange program, or incorporate a period of Canadian-based study in their degree.
CUD also goes beyond the traditional business and technology programs to offer students the opportunity to broaden their careers options into new and emerging growth sectors of the regional economy. The School of Architecture and Interior Design offers specialized degrees that prepare students for work in the City’s iconic architectural scene, while the School of Communication and Media Studies delivers programs in both English and Arabic to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the field. In the School of Environment and Health Sciences, students can develop
In addition, CUD has a well-established reputation across
the business, management and specialized skills to
Canada, with students having successfully transferred their
succeed in roles based in the growing healthcare and
credits to top Canadian institutions such as the University
environmental sectors.
of Toronto, McGill University and the University of British Columbia.
At graduate level, CUD is a recognized leader in graduate business education, offering a Master of Business
At undergraduate level, CUD’s School of Business
Administration program that allows professional learners
Administration offers courses that develop graduates with
to specialize in one of five concentrations, including the
a broad range of business skills to enter the country’s
niche discipline of Islamic banking.
flourishing commercial scene; while the School of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology delivers
As an innovator in the field of higher education, the University has recently established a unique Master level
program in Information Technology Management and
broad portfolio of academic expertise, CUD is engaged in
Governance, to respond to the demand for skilled
a number of research collaborations with partners across
professionals who can support Dubai’s Smart City vision.
North America, Europe and East Asia.
At CUD, all students benefit from a learning experience
In harmony with academic growth, CUD provides a
that combines theoretical knowledge development with
learning experience that goes beyond the classroom, with
hands-on practical experience of tackling real-world
personal and social development playing an important
challenges. With a reputation for academic excellence, the
part in university life. CUD is home to almost 100
University attracts professors, researchers and professionals
nationalities, creating a diverse and vibrant campus
of the highest caliber.
community, where every student is supported to become
Across all schools, faculty members bring experience of work in industry and professional practice, alongside international qualifications and experience, which combine with the University’s state-of-the art facilities, labs and learning resource centre, to provide an outstanding educational experience. At the heart of this experience is flexibility. All undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in the evenings and on weekends, to allow students to complete their education alongside work or personal commitments. In conjunction with its degree programs, CUD is a hub for research, innovation and academic collaboration. With a
a good global citizen and to make a meaningful contribution to the world beyond CUD.
Malaysia
Malaysian Education
Malaysia ’s commit ment to b a worldeing class kno wledge e – and a r c o n omy egional e duc received a boost in ation hub – April this with the year launch o f a new high education er strategy: The Mala Educatio y n Bluepr sia int 2015 (Higher -2025 Educatio n)
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TOEFLﻭوﺍاﺟﺘﻴﯿﺎﺯزﻩه ﺑﻨﺠﺎﺡح.
ﺍاﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ TOEFL® Go Anywhereﺍاﻹﻟﻜﺘﺮﻭوﻧﻲ ) :(www.TOEFLGoAnywhere.orgﺯزﻭوﺭرﻭوﺍا ﻣﻮﻗﻊ ﺗﻮﻓﻞ ﺍاﻟﺮﺳﻤﻲ ﺍاﻟﻤﺼﻤﻢ ﺧﺼﻴﯿﺼﺎ ً ®ﻟﻠﻤﻘﺪﻣﻴﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺣﻴﯿﺚ ﻳﯾﺘﻢ ﺗﺤﺪﻳﯾﺚ ﺍاﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ ﺑﺈﺳﺘﻤﺮﺍاﺭر ﻋﺒﺮ ﺗﺰﻭوﻳﯾﺪﻩه ﺑﻤﺼﺎﺩدﺭر ﺟﺪﻳﯾﺪﺓة ﺗﻮﻓﻞ ﻣﻮﻗﻊ :(www.TOEFLGoAnywhere.org ﺍاﻹﻟﻜﺘﺮﻭوﻧﻲ ) Anywhere ﺍاﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ ﺍاﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ ﺯزﻭوﺭرﻭوﺍاﻣﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻴﯿﻨﺔ ﻣﻨﺼﺎﺕت ﺍاﻟﻮﺳﺎﺋﻂ ﺍاﻟﻤﺘﻌﺪﺩدﺓة ﻟﻠﻤﻮﻗﻊ ﺍاﻻﻁطﻼﻉع TOEFLﻣﻦ ﺧﻼﻝل ﺣﺪﻳﯾﺜﺔGo.ﻳﯾﻤﻜﻦ ﻟﻠﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﻭوﺃأﺩدﺍاﻭوﺕت ﺗﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮ ﺍاﻟﺮﺳﻤﻲ ﺍاﻟﻤﺼﻤﻢ ﺧﺼﻴﯿﺼﺎ ً ﻭوﺍاﻻﻁطﻼﻉعﺟﺪﻳﯾﺪﺓة ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞﺑﻤﺼﺎﺩدﺭر ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭرﺗﺰﻭوﻳﯾﺪﻩه ﺑﺈﺳﺘﻤﺮﺍاﺭر ﻋﺒﺮ ﺣﻴﯿﺚ ﻳﯾﺘﻢ ﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻻ ﻟﻠﻤﻘﺪﻣﻴﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ ﺍاﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻘﺒﻞ ﺗﺤﺪﻳﯾﺚﺍاﻟﻤﻌﺎﻫﮬﮪھﺪ ﺍاﻟﺒﺤﺚ ﻋﻦ ﺇإﻣﻜﺎﻧﻴﯿﺔ ﺍاﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ ﻳﯾﻤﻨﺤﻬﮭﻢ ﺭرﺳﻤﻲ ﻛﻤﺎ ﻭوﺇإﻋﺪﺍاﺩد ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺗﻮﻓﻞ ﺣﺪﻳﯾﺜﺔ .ﻳﯾﻤﻜﻦ ﻟﻠﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻼﻝل ﻣﻨﺼﺎﺕت ﺍاﻟﻮﺳﺎﺋﻂ ﺍاﻟﻤﺘﻌﺪﺩدﺓة ﻟﻠﻤﻮﻗﻊ ﺍاﻻﻁطﻼﻉع ﻋﻠﻰ ﻋﻴﯿﻨﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺍاﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ ﺍاﻟﺪﺭرﺟﺎﺕتﺗﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮ ﻭوﺃأﺩدﺍاﻭوﺕت ﺍاﻟﻤﻄﻠﻮﺑﺔ. ﻭوﺇإﻋﺪﺍاﺩد ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺗﻮﻓﻞ ﺭرﺳﻤﻲ ﻛﻤﺎ ﻳﯾﻤﻨﺤﻬﮭﻢ ﺍاﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ ﺇإﻣﻜﺎﻧﻴﯿﺔ ﺍاﻟﺒﺤﺚ ﻋﻦ ﺍاﻟﻤﻌﺎﻫﮬﮪھﺪ ﺍاﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻘﺒﻞ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﻭوﺍاﻻﻁطﻼﻉع ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻟﻤﻄﻠﻮﺑﺔﻟـ TOEFL® .ﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻮﻗﻊ ® :(https://www.facebook.com/TOEFL)Facebookﺗﺘﺎﺡح ﺍاﻟﺪﺭرﺟﺎﺕتﺍاﻟﺮﺳﻤﻴﯿﺔ ﺍاﻟﺼﻔﺤﺔ ﺍاﻟﻔﺮﺹص ﻟﻠﻤﻘﺪﻣﻴﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﺎﺭرﻛﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺃأﻧﺸﻄﺔ ﺍاﻟﺘﻌﻠﻴﯿﻢ ﺍاﻟﺘﺮﻓﻴﯿﻬﮭﻴﯿﺔ ﻭوﺍاﻟﺘﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺷﺄﻧﻬﮭﺎ ﺃأﻥن ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻫﮬﮪھﻢ ﻓﻲ ﺟﻤﻊ :(https://www.facebook.com/TOEFLﺗﺘﺎﺡح ) Facebook ® ﻣﻮﻗﻊ ﻋﻠﻰ TOEFL ® ﻟـ ﺍاﻟﺮﺳﻤﻴﯿﺔ ﺍاﻟﺼﻔﺤﺔﺩدﺭرﺍاﺳﻴﯿﺔ ﻣﻔﻴﯿﺪﺓة ﻟﻴﯿﺘﺴﻨﻰ ﻟﻬﮭﻢ ﺗﻘﺪﻳﯾﻢ ﺃأﻓﻀﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻮﺳﻌﻬﮭﻢ ﻓﻲ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ. ﻧﺼﺎﺋﺢ ﺍاﻟﻔﺮﺹص ﻟﻠﻤﻘﺪﻣﻴﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺸﺎﺭرﻛﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺃأﻧﺸﻄﺔ ﺍاﻟﺘﻌﻠﻴﯿﻢ ﺍاﻟﺘﺮﻓﻴﯿﻬﮭﻴﯿﺔ ﻭوﺍاﻟﺘﻲ ﻣﻦ ﺷﺄﻧﻬﮭﺎ ﺃأﻥن ﺗﺴﺎﻋﺪﻫﮬﮪھﻢ ﻓﻲ ﺟﻤﻊ ﻧﺼﺎﺋﺢ ﺩدﺭرﺍاﺳﻴﯿﺔ ﻣﻔﻴﯿﺪﺓة ﻟﻴﯿﺘﺴﻨﻰ ﻟﻬﮭﻢ ﺗﻘﺪﻳﯾﻢ ﺃأﻓﻀﻞ ﻣﺎ ﺑﻮﺳﻌﻬﮭﻢ ﻓﻲ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ. ﻗﻨﺎﺓة ® TOEFLﻋﻠﻰ ﻣﻮﻗﻊ ® :(www.youtube.com/TOEFLtv) YouTubeﻳﯾﻤﻜﻨﻚ ﻭوﺑﺴﻬﮭﻮﻟﺔ ﺗﺎﻣﺔ ﻣﺸﺎﻫﮬﮪھﺪﺓة ﺍاﻟﻔﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮﻫﮬﮪھﺎﺕت ﺍاﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﺸﺎﺭرﻛﻚ ﺃأﻓﻀﻞ ﺍاﻟﻤﻤﺎﺭرﺳﺎﺕت ﻭوﺍاﻟﻨﺼﺎﺋﺢ ﺍاﻟﺪﺭرﺍاﺳﻴﯿﺔ ﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻌﻠﻤﻲ ﺍاﻟﻠﻐﺔ ﺍاﻻﻧﺠﻠﻴﯿﺰﻳﯾﺔ ﺗﺎﻣﺔ ﻣﺸﺎﻫﮬﮪھﺪﺓة ﻭوﺑﺴﻬﮭﻮﻟﺔ www.youtube.com/TOEFLtv ®YouTube ®TOEFL ﻗﻨﺎﺓة ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﻳﯾﻤﻜﻨﻚﺩدﺭرﺟﺎﺕت ﺍاﻟﺬﻳﯾﻦ(:ﻳﯾﻘﺒﻠﻮﻥن ﻛﻤﺎ )ﻭوﺗﻮﻓﺮ ﻣﻤﺜﻠﻲ ﺍاﻟﻤﻌﺎﻫﮬﮪھﺪ ﺣﻮﻝل ﺍاﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ ﻣﻮﻗﻊﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﻋﻠﻰﻋﻠﻰ ﺗﻘﺪﻣﻮﺍا ﻭوﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﺍاﻟﺬﻳﯾﻦ ﺍاﻟﺘﻲ .ﺗﺸﺎﺭرﻛﻚ ﺃأﻓﻀﻞ ﺍاﻟﻤﻤﺎﺭرﺳﺎﺕت ﻭوﺍاﻟﻨﺼﺎﺋﺢ ﺍاﻟﺪﺭرﺍاﺳﻴﯿﺔ ﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﻣﻦ ﻣﻌﻠﻤﻲ ﺍاﻟﻠﻐﺔ ﺍاﻻﻧﺠﻠﻴﯿﺰﻳﯾﺔ ﺍاﻟﻔﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮﻫﮬﮪھﺎﺕت ﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓة ﻭوﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﺍاﻟﺬﻳﯾﻦ ﺗﻘﺪﻣﻮﺍا ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﻛﻤﺎ ﻭوﺗﻮﻓﺮ ﻣﻤﺜﻠﻲ ﺍاﻟﻤﻌﺎﻫﮬﮪھﺪ ﺣﻮﻝل ﺍاﻟﻌﺎﻟﻢ ﺍاﻟﺬﻳﯾﻦ ﻳﯾﻘﺒﻠﻮﻥن ﺩدﺭرﺟﺎﺕت ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ. ﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓة ﺍاﻟﺴﺮﻳﯾﻊ ﻟـ ® :(www.ets.org/toefl/quickprep)TOEFL iBTﻳﯾﻘﻮﻡم ﻣﻌﻈﻢ ﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺍاﻟﻴﯿﺎﺑﺎﻥن ﺑﻄﻠﺐ ﺍاﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ ﻣﻦ .ETSﻳﯾﻮﻓﺮ ﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮ ﺍاﻟﺴﺮﻳﯾﻊ ﻟـ ® TOEFL iBTﺍاﺳﺌﻠﺔ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻲ ﻭوﺭرﺩدﺕت ﻓﻲ ﻧﻤﺎﺫذﺝج ﻣﻦ ﺍاﻟﻌﺪﻳﯾﺪ ® :(www.ets.org/toefl/qﻳﯾﻘﻮﻡم ﻣﻌﻈﻢ ﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﻓﻲ ﺍاﻟﻴﯿﺎﺑﺎﻥن ﺑﻄﻠﺐ ﻭوﺫذﻟﻚTOEFL ﺍاﻟﻤﺎﺿﻴﯿﺔiBT ﺍاﻟﺴﺮﻳﯾﻊ ﻟـ uickprepﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮ ﻟﻠﺪﺭرﺍاﺳﺔ. ﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓة)ﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮ ﺗﻮﻓﻞ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭرﺍاﺕت ﺍاﻟﻌﺪﻳﯾﺪ ﻣﻦ ﻧﻤﺎﺫذﺝج ﺍاﻷﺳﺌﻠﺔ ﻣﻦ .ETSﻳﯾﻮﻓﺮ ﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮ ﺍاﻟﺴﺮﻳﯾﻊ ﻟـ ® TOEFL iBTﺍاﺳﺌﻠﺔ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻲ ﻭوﺭرﺩدﺕت ﻓﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮ ﻟﻠﺪﺭرﺍاﺳﺔ. ﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓة ﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﻤﺎﺿﻴﯿﺔ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭرﺍاﺕت ﺗﻮﻓﻞ :(www.ets.org/toefl/plannerﻳﯾﻮﻓﺮ ﻣﺼﻤﻢ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر )TOEFL ﻭوﺫذﻟﻚ ® iBT ﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮﻱي ﻟـ ﻣﺼﻤﻢ ﺃأﺳﺎﺑﻴﯿﻊ ﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓة ﺍاﻟﻤﻘﺪﻣﻴﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻌﺮﻑف ﺃأﻛﺜﺮ ﻭوﺃأﻛﺜﺮ ﻭوﺍاﻟﺘﻌﻮﺩد ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﻤﻮﺫذﺝج ® TOEFLﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮﻱي ﺛﻤﺎﻧﻴﯿﺔ ® :(www.ets.org/toefl/plannerﻳﯾﻮﻓﺮ ﻣﺼﻤﻢ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺩدﺭرﺍاﻳﯾﺔ TOEFL ﻋﻠﻰ iBT ﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮﻱي ﻟـ ﻣﺼﻤﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎﺩدﺭر) ﺍاﻟﻤﺘﺎﺣﺔ ﻟﻬﮭﻢ. ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭرﻭوﺃأﻥن ﻳﯾﺼﺒﺤﻮﺍا ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ® TOEFLﺍاﻟﺘﺤﻀﻴﯿﺮﻱي ﺛﻤﺎﻧﻴﯿﺔ ﺃأﺳﺎﺑﻴﯿﻊ ﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓة ﺍاﻟﻤﻘﺪﻣﻴﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻌﺮﻑف ﺃأﻛﺜﺮ ﻭوﺃأﻛﺜﺮ ﻭوﺍاﻟﺘﻌﻮﺩد ﻋﻠﻰ ﻧﻤﻮﺫذﺝج ® ﺍاﻟﻤﺘﺎﺣﺔ ﻟﻬﮭﻢ. ﺑﺎﻟﻤﺼﺎﺩدﺭر iBTﺩدﺭرﺍاﻳﯾﺔ ﻳﯾﺼﺒﺤﻮﺍا ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﻭوﺃأﻥن ﻣﺮﺣﺒﺎ ً www.toeflgoanywhere.org/content/what ﻓﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮ" )- " TOEFL ﻣﻮﻗﻊ ﻓﺤﺺ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺑﻚ ﻓﻲ :(expect-test-dayﺻﻤﻢ®ﻫﮬﮪھﺬﺍا ﺍاﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ ﺧﺼﻴﯿﺼﺎ ً ﻷﻭوﻟﺌﻚ ﺍاﻷﺷﺨﺎﺹص ﺍاﻟﺬﻳﯾﻦ ﻳﯾﺘﻄﻠﻌﻮﻥن ﺃأﻛﺜﺮ ﻟﻤﻌﺮﻓﺔ ﻣﺎﺫذﺍا ﺳﻴﯿﺤﺪﺙث ﻳﯾﻮﻡم ﻣﺮﺣﺒﺎ ً www.toeflgoanywhere.org/content/what ﻓﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮ" ) TOEFL ﻣﺸﺎﻫﮬﮪھﺪﺓةiBT ﻳﯾﻤﻜﻨﻬﮭﻢﻓﺤﺺ ﺣﻴﯿﺚ ﻣﻮﻗﻊ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭرﺑﻚ ﻓﻲ ﺍاﻟﺘﺴﺠﻴﯿﻞ ﺳﺘﺔ -ﺩدﻗﺎﺋﻖ ﻓﻤﻦ ﺧﻼﻟﻪﮫ ﺳﻴﯿﺼﺒﺤﻮﻥن ﺃأﻛﺜﺮ ﺩدﺭرﺍاﻳﯾﺔً ﺑﺄﻣﻮﺭر ﺗﺒﻠﻎ" ﻣﺪﺗﻪﮫ ﺍاﻟﻔﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮ ﺍاﻟﺬﻱي ﺍاﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ.ﺧﺼﻴﯿﺼﺎ ً ﻷﻭوﻟﺌﻚ ﺍاﻷﺷﺨﺎﺹص ﺍاﻟﺬﻳﯾﻦ ﻳﯾﺘﻄﻠﻌﻮﻥن ﺃأﻛﺜﺮ ﻟﻤﻌﺮﻓﺔ ﻣﺎﺫذﺍا ﺳﻴﯿﺤﺪﺙث ﻳﯾﻮﻡم :(expect -test -day ﻫﮬﮪھﺬﺍاﺇإﻟﻰ ﺫذﻟﻚ ﺻﻤﻢﻭوﻣﺎ ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﻭوﻋﻤﻠﻴﯿﺔ ﻭوﺍاﻟﺪﺧﻮﻝل ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺣﻴﯿﺚ ﻳﯾﻤﻜﻨﻬﮭﻢ ﻣﺸﺎﻫﮬﮪھﺪﺓة ﺍاﻟﻔﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮ ﺍاﻟﺬﻱي ﺗﺒﻠﻎ ﻣﺪﺗﻪﮫ ﺳﺘﺔ ﺩدﻗﺎﺋﻖ ﻓﻤﻦ ﺧﻼﻟﻪﮫ ﺳﻴﯿﺼﺒﺤﻮﻥن ﺃأﻛﺜﺮ ﺩدﺭرﺍاﻳﯾﺔً ﺑﺄﻣﻮﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﺴﺠﻴﯿﻞ ® ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﻭوﻣﺎ ﺇإﻟﻰ ﻳﯾﺠﺮﻱيﻭوﻋﻤﻠﻴﯿﺔ ﻭوﺍاﻟﺪﺧﻮﻝل ﺫذﻟﻚ.ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺍاﻟﻔﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮﻫﮬﮪھﺎﺕت" ):(www.ets.org/toefl/video_library/ ” TOEFL ﺩدﺍاﺧﻞ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﻣﺎﺫذﺍا ﻫﮬﮪھﺬﻩه ،٬ﻭوﺍاﻟﻤﻜﻮﻧﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻤﺴﺔ ﻓﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮﻫﮬﮪھﺎﺕت ،٬ﻧﻈﺮﺓة ﻋﻦ ﻛﺜﺐ ﻟﻘﺴﻢ ﺍاﻟﻜﺘﺎﺑﺔ ﻭوﺍاﻟﺘﺤﺪﺙث ﺍاﻟﺘﺎﺑﻌﺔ ﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺗﻘﺪﻡم ﺳﻠﺴﻠﺔ ﺍاﻟﻔﻴﯿﺪﻭوﻫﮬﮪھﺎﺕت ® ﺍاﻟﻔﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮﻫﮬﮪھﺎﺕت" ):(www.ets.org/toefl/video_library/ ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻋﺔ ﻣﻦ ” TOEFL ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﻭوﺫذﻟﻚﺩدﺍاﺧﻞ ﻳﯾﺠﺮﻱي ﻣﺎﺫذﺍا ﺷﻜﻞ ﻣﻤﻜﻦ. ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺑﺄﻛﺜﺮ ﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻟﻴﯿﺘﻌﺮﻑف ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﺗﻘﺪﻡم ﺳﻠﺴﻠﺔ ﺍاﻟﻔﻴﯿﺪﻭوﻫﮬﮪھﺎﺕت ﻫﮬﮪھﺬﻩه ،٬ﻭوﺍاﻟﻤﻜﻮﻧﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺧﻤﺴﺔ ﻓﻴﯿﺪﻳﯾﻮﻫﮬﮪھﺎﺕت ،٬ﻧﻈﺮﺓة ﻋﻦ ﻛﺜﺐ ﻟﻘﺴﻢ ﺍاﻟﻜﺘﺎﺑﺔ ﻭوﺍاﻟﺘﺤﺪﺙث ﺍاﻟﺘﺎﺑﻌﺔ ﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﻣﻤﻜﻦ. ﺍاﻟﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ®ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﺷﻜﻞﻟﻐﺎﺕت: ﺑﺄﻛﺜﺮﺑﻌﺪﺓة ﺍاﻻﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻵﻥن ﺍاﻻﻧﺘﺮﻧﺖ ﻣﺘﻮﻓﺮ ﻟﻴﯿﺘﻌﺮﻑفﻋﺒﺮ ﻭوﺫذﻟﻚﺍاﻟﻨﺪﻭوﺍاﺕت TOEFL ﺍاﻧﻀﻤﻮﺍا ﺇإﻟﻰ ﺍاﻟﻨﺪﻭوﺍاﺕت ﺍاﻟﻤﺠﺎﻧﻴﯿﺔ ﻋﺒﺮ ﺍاﻻﻧﺘﺮﻧﺖ ﻭوﺍاﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﺘﺤﺪﺙث ﻋﻦ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﻭوﻋﻦ ﺍاﻟﻤﺼﺎﺩدﺭر ﺍاﻟﺪﺭرﺍاﺳﻴﯿﺔ ﺍاﻟﻤﺘﺎﺣﺔ .ﻟﻤﺰﻳﯾﺪ ﻣﻦ ﺍاﻟﻤﻌﻠﻮﻣﺎﺕت ﺣﻮﻝل ﺍاﻟﻨﺪﻭوﺍاﺕت ﺍاﻟﻤﺠﺎﻧﻴﯿﺔ ﻋﺒﺮ ﺍاﻻﻧﺘﺮﻧﺖ ﺯزﻭوﺭرﻭوﺍا ﻣﻮﻗﻌﻨﺎ . http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/prepare/webinars
(9ﻣﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓة ﻟﻠﻤﻘﺪﻣﻴﯿﻦ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﺧﺘﺒﺎﺭر ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ :ﻫﮬﮪھﻞ ﺗﺮﻏﺐ ﺑﻄﺮﺡح ﺃأﻱي ﺳﺆﺍاﻝل؟ ﺑﺮﻧﺎﻣﺞ ﺍاﻟﺘﻮﻓﻞ ﻫﮬﮪھﻨﺎ ﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪﺗﻚ ﻭوﺍاﻹﺟﺎﺑﺔ ﻋﻦ ﻛﺎﻓﺔ ﺍاﻻﺳﺌﻠﺔ. ﻣﻦ ﻓﻀﻠﻚ ،٬ﺃأﺭرﺳﻞ ﺳﺆﺍاﻟﻚ ﺇإﻟﻰ ﺍاﻟﺒﺮﻳﯾﺪ ﺍاﻹﻟﻜﺘﺮﻭوﻧﻲ uae.info@amideast.orgﺃأﻭو ﺯزﺭر ﻣﻮﻗﻌﻨﺎ www.amideast.org/uaeﻟﺘﺤﺼﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻟﻤﺴﺎﻋﺪﺓة ﺍاﻟﺨﺎﺻﺔ ﺑﻤﻨﻄﻘﺘﻚ ﺍاﻟﺠﻐﺮﺍاﻓﻴﯿﺔ. ﻳﯾﻤﻜﻦ ﻟﻠﻄﻠﺒﺔ ﺃأﻳﯾﻀﺎ ً ﺍاﻟﺘﺴﺠﻴﯿﻞ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍاﻟﻤﻮﻗﻊ ﺍاﻟﺘﺎﻟﻲ ﻟﻴﯿﺼﻠﻬﮭﻢ ﻛﻞ ﺟﺪﻳﯾﺪ ﻭوﻟﻴﯿﺴﺘﻠﻤﻮﺍا ﻧﺸﺮﺓة ﺗﻮﻓﻞ ﺍاﻹﺧﺒﺎﺭرﻳﯾﺔ: .www.ets.org/toefl/student_news
MALAYSIA
A
s per the ICEF Report dated 23rd April 2015, Malaysia now allocated 7.7% of its budget spending to higher education compared to Japan (1%), Korea (3.9%), Indonesia (3.1%), Thailand (3%) and Singapore (6.4%). The report goes on to state that And over the past decade, higher education enrolments in Malaysia have grown by 70% to include 1.2 million students today. In 2010 compared to 1990, six 100
MALAYSIAN
times as many students are enrolled in bachelor degrees and ten times as many are enrolled in post-graduate degrees. Malaysia is behind only Singapore and Thailand among ASEAN countries for masters and PhD enrolments. Furthermore, as per a National News report dated 2nd October, 2015, Malaysia has jumped two rungs to join the ranks of the top 20 most competitive economies in the world this year.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) raised Malaysia to 18th spot from 20th last year under its Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016, which covers 140 countries, placing Malaysia well on track towards a high-income developed status in less than five years. Malaysia is gaining acceptance as a reputable study destination in the region. It also accounts for two per cent of the international student population around the world. The education sector offers a variety of higher educational programmes as well as professional and specialized skill courses that are competitively priced. Branch campuses of reputed Australian and British institutions also have been established in Malaysia.Universities from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, France, Germany and New Zealand offer twinning, franchised and external degree programmes in partnership with Malaysian institutions. Malaysia has 22 state universities, more than 480 private institutions, many of which are branch campuses of international institutions such as Monash University from Australia. As per Education Malaysia, their Consulate’s Education wing in the U.A.E. in 2013, there were 98,000 international students, of these, above 27,000 were from the MENA region and there are above 50 U.A.E national students studying in Malaysia. Over the past 15 years, Malaysia has also attracted world-class universities into setting up branch campuses there. These universities offer undergraduate and post-graduate degree programmes that are identical to their main campuses overseas. The affordable cost of quality tertiary education is one of many good reasons why international students choose Malaysia. For example, you can acquire a UK engineering degree (3 years) in Malaysia through a franchised degree programme at an estimated RM51,000 (USD16,000), whereas the tuition fee of the same degree programme at the host university in the UK is about RM144,000 (USD45,000). The Malaysian government is also ensuring the quality of higher education in the country. 101
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The ministry is concentrating on awarding large amounts of research funding under its Fundamental Research Grant Scheme. The major draw of the Malaysian education system, as far as UAE students are concerned, are the relatively low fees and the common religion, in addition to the quality of education and the availability of courses on Islamic Banking, Shariat Law etc. which are relevant to the UAE scene.
Enrolling at a ‘Licensed’ Private Educational Institution Students must confirm whether the institution of their choice has been ‘licensed’ and ‘approved’ before enrolling. To safeguard the interests of international students, all private schools, international schools, private colleges, private universities and foreign university branch campuses in Malaysia must obtain approvals from the relevant regulatory bodies of the Malaysian government. These approvals include: Primary and Secondary Education Private Schools and international schools which offer primary and secondary education - these institutions must be licensed by the Ministry of Education Malaysia and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Malaysian Immigration Department www.imi.gov.my in order to accept international students. Tertiary Education Private higher educational institutions which offer tertiary education - besides obtaining approval from the Ministry of Higher Education, these institutions need to ensure that the courses offered are endorsed by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. As such, students are advised to check with the institution concerned or online at www.mqa.gov.my to determine if their intended course of study is endorsed or accredited by MQA. In addition, these institutions need to be licensed by another authority i.e. the Ministry of Home Affairs (Malaysian Immigration Department) to accept international students. The Immigration Department will issue a ‘Student Pass’ to every international student enrolled at these institutions. 102
Enrolling at a Public University Public universities offer postgraduate studies and limited places for bachelor’s degree programmes to international students. Funded by the government, these public universities are allowed to recruit international students for full-time undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Their courses are assured by MQA and the Immigration Department will issue a ‘Student Pass’ to every student enrolled by these universities.
Applying to Study at a Malaysian Institution Applying to study at the Malaysian institution of your choice is simple. Just complete the relevant International Student Application Forms for your chosen course and return it to the institution of your choice with the following documents and fees: Certified copies of all relevant examination results and academic certificates (preferably with copies translated in English if documents are in another language) A completed accommodation form (if accommodation is required) Photocopy of valid international passport all pages Photocopy of identity card Most recent passport sized colour photograph (4 to 6 copies) Personal medical health report Application fees (ranging from US160 to US250, usually non-refundable) You may obtain the application form online from the institution’s website or from the institution’s overseas representative in your country. You will be asked for evidence of your academic achievement and proficiency in English. Ideally, you should apply about two months before the intake date.
Getting an Offer from the Institution Processing your application usually takes 5-7 days. If you are accepted, the institution will issue an ‘Offer of Place’ letter. This letter will confirm the full-time course details, commencement dates, and enclose an invoice for the tuition fee, miscellaneous fees and accommodation fees.
Following which, you make arrangements for the payment of fees. The institution will issue a receipt upon confirmation of payment.
Application for Student Pass Next, the educational institution will apply for an approval for a student pass from the Malaysian Immigration Department in Malaysia on your behalf. This will take from 7 to 14 days, provided all documents are in order. The institution will then proceed to notify the student regarding the status (approved or rejected) of the application for the student pass. With the receipt of the Immigration’s approval letter through the Institution, you can prepare for your journey to Malaysia. You do not need to apply for a separate visa to enter Malaysia.
Travel Before leaving the country for Malaysia, you should inform the educational institution of your port of entry (airport), flight number, arrival date and time. Upon arrival at the airport in Malaysia, the educational institution’s representative will receive you at the immigration check-point.
Within 2 weeks of your arrival, the educational institution will submit your passport to the Immigration Department, which attaches the student pass sticker. Source: www.studymalaysia.com and MEPC-Malaysian Education Promotion Center
Websites of use: Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia www.mohe.gov.my, www. educationmalaysia.gov.my Malaysian Qualifications Agency www. mqa.gov.my StudyMalaysia Online Course Search : www.studymalaysia.com
Important Contact Address: Malaysia Education Promotion Centre Dubai, UAE Consulate General of Malaysia 83, Street 10D, Mankhool P.O. Box 114140 Dubai Tel : +9714-398 5843 Fax : +9714-327 5151 103
Germany
Germany Germany’s higher education institutions enjoy an excellent reputation. Teaching and research are geared towards promoting innovation and progress. Institutions have stateof-the-art equipment and labs to provide students with the very best conditions for successful studies.
G
ermany’s higher education system is very diverse and varied. It offers thousands of degree programmes, more than 300 institutions, and many different degrees. This means a student can choose a programme that best fits his/her needs. They can join a research oriented programme at a Universität (university) or a more practicefocused course at a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), or an artistic programme at one of the many Kunst-, Film-, or Musikhochschulen (college of art, film or music). Many programmes are offered by all three types of institutions, which widen a student’s choices even further. If you already hold a degree, you can also choose to enter a postgraduate or doctoral programme for advanced qualifications. 106
Germany’s growing enrolment base places it among the top study destinations in the world, after the US and UK certainly, but contending with China, France, and Australia for the number three rank among major global destinations. Students are drawn by Germany’s status as a leading world economy, but also by the modest tuition fees for international students as well as immigration policies that support the interests of a majority of students in staying and working in Germany after graduation. DAAD is a funding programmes that provide scholarships which help finance a semester abroad, doctoral programmes and internships, guest lectureships, visits to information events, and even the establishment of new universities abroad. Since it was founded, the DAAD has supported more
than 2.0 million academics in Germany and abroad. In 2014, the DAAD funded 121,116 people from all regions of the world – 52 percent of whom were women. Funding and scholarships went to 48,254 foreigners and 72,862 Germans. DAAD’s annual Wissenschaft weltoffen Kompakt report for 2015 (“Facts and Figures on the International Nature of Studies and Research in Germany”) reports on trends for two distinct categories of foreign higher education students: Bildungsinländer (“students of other nationalities who have obtained their higher education entrance qualification in Germany”) and Bildungsausländer (“students of other nationalities who have obtained their higher education entrance qualification outside Germany”). The distinction is interesting in that Bildungsinländer have a longer history in
the country and have completed some preparatory studies in Germany before beginning their higher education programmes. Some of these students may be in the process of immigrating to Germany, or may have chosen to begin their studies in the country at an earlier point to improve their admissions prospects or their chance for success in more advanced studies. Bildungsausländer, on the other hand, complete their admissions requirements outside the country and come to Germany primarily to pursue higher education studies. The Bildungsausländer group accounted for 72.6% of Germany’s foreign higher education enrolment in 2013/14. In total, foreign students made up 11.5% of the country’s higher education enrolment for the academic year. (Source ICEF Monitor June 2015) 107
Students wishing to study in Germany can choose from more than 12,000 degree programmes and subjects offered at 340 state (public) and state-recognized higher education institutions. Each of the 16 states in Germany has its own higher education laws and guidelines. Not all of the courses taught are in Englishmedium, students should check with the institution regarding the medium of instruction before enrolling for courses. The academic year is generally divided into two six-month semesters; the winter semester normally begins in October while the summer semester begins in April. Course duration is around three months in the summer semester and four months in the winter semester. Students can use the nonlecture period to revise material taught in the previous semesters or to complete internships. The German higher education system generally has three distinct types of institutions, Universitäten: Universities and equivalent institutions are greatly focused on research and teaching. Most Universities offer courses in practically all subject areas while some universities choose to specialize in a particular field. Fachhochschule (FH): FHs were especially established to give students a chance to engage in the more practical studies and applied research. Subjects offered by FHs cover fields like technology, business, IT, design, social fields, education, nursing and applied natural sciences. Kunst-, Film-, or Musikhoch-schulen: Colleges of art, film and music offer artisticcreative subjects – like fine art, industrial and fashion design, stage design, graphic art, instrumental music or singing. There are even special media-oriented colleges that train directors, camera operators, authors, film-makers and other TV or media professionals. Besides the state (public) higher education institutions, a number of private universities also operate in Germany that generally offer subjects from the fields of law, economics and business administration and social sciences. Private universities often maintain close contacts with companies in order to give their graduates an edge and better career prospects. 108
Applying for a subject with a centrally restricted admission policy A nationwide numerus clausus (NC) applies to those subjects for which there are more applicants in Germany than the university system can absorb (Medicine, Pharmacology, Dentistry) If you wish to study one of these subjects, there are special conditions that pertain to your application. Where you submit your application depends on the country you come from and whether you have a German higher education entrance qualification. Two groups of applicants must submit their applications to the Foundation for Higher Education Admission (formerly ZVS): 1. Applicants from EU member states, as well as Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway 2. Applicants who have received their secondary school-leaving certificate in Germany or at a German School abroad. Visit the website of the Foundation for Higher Education Admission All other applicants should submit their applications directly to the university of their choice, or apply through uni-assist.
Applying for other subjects All international students who wish to study subjects with no centrally restricted admission policy should apply either directly to the International Office or the Student Administration Office at the university where they wish to study or through uni-assist, if your university is one of over 100 that cooperate with this service. Please enquire about the application procedures at the International Office at the University of your Choice.
Deadlines Two dates you should mark red in your calendar: January 15th and July 15th. If you wish to begin your studies in the winter semester (October) the submission period is from the beginning of June to 15th July. If you rather prefer to start your studies in the Summer semester (April) the submission period is from the beginning of December to 15th January.
Application Process Most foreign students must apply directly to the
GERMANY
International Office at the Higher education institution at which they would like to study. Documents required include an officiallycertified copy of the school leaving certificate plus language certificates. Students will also need to provide a C.V and proof of sufficient financial resources. Institutions will process your admission application only if all the required documents and papers are provided. More than 90 German higher education institutions only process international study applications once these have been formally prechecked by “uni-assist” (a certification service for international students). The advantage of this is that international students only need to contact one central office to apply for a place at several higher education institutions at once with just one set of application papers. Uniassist contacts a student without delay in case any document is missing from their application. Students excluding students from China or the E.U. countries, are required to pay a fee of 55 euros for this service and each application for an additional institution costs 15 euros. More details can be found on the website www.uni-assist.de
Admission Requirements Students must present educational qualifications that are recognized as equivalent to a German higher education entrance qualification. Since 2007, there has also been a test with which foreign students can assess whether or not they possess the knowledge to start academic studies in Germany. The test for Academic Studies (TestAS) can be taken in the spring at any of the 350 TestDaF centers worldwide. These test scores will help you realize if you are prepared for higher education in Germany and a good test score can help improve your chances of getting the course that you want. As German is the medium of instruction in most of the colleges and universities, foreign students wishing to enroll in courses in these institutions will need to provide proof of their proficiency in the language or will need to sit for an exam called ‘German as Foreign Language Test (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache – TestDaF)’ or a comparable
test such as German Language Test for the Admission of Foreign Study Applicants (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang – DSH). The test is conducted 6 times a year, and the deadline for registration for the test is always 4 weeks before the next test date. The DSH test can only be taken in Germany, it does not have a set test date, the institutions conducting the DSH test, set the date themselves, and sometimes charge up to € 150 for the test. Funding A wide range of scholarships for German and Foreign students especially post-graduates and researchers are offered by Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD). A searchable web-based scholarship database is available to students on the DAAD website (www.daad.de/offices or www.fundingguide.de). DAAD has an office in Abu Dhabi which can provide all the support you will need to study in Germany. Visas Admitted students need to submit the following documents to apply for a visa, Letter of admission Proof of Health Insurance Cover Proof of Financial Resources Documents related to Previous Educational Qualifications German Language Proficiency Certificate or Plan for Intensive Language course in German Minor students would need a letter of consent from the person(s) responsible for their care and custody A student visa is generally issued for a period of 3 months. If the study period is longer, you must contact the foreigner’s authority (Aus-landerbehorde) to apply for a residence permit. The Residence permit is initially issued for 2 years but can be extended for a further period of 2 years. -Source: Study in Germany website, DAAD website DAAD’s UAE. Office for German Scholarships and higher education: Tourist Club, Electra St; Raya Tower, 17th Floor, P1, Abu Dhabi. Ph: 02 678 1124. info@daad-gulfregion.org http://www.daad-gulfregion.org 109
Switzerland
Switzerland The Swiss educational system is as varied and exciting as the Swiss landscape. Mirroring the diversity of languages, cultures and history in Switzerland, it is built on a complex interplay between the Confederation, the cantons and the communes.
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W
hile the Swiss Constitution guarantees autonomy to the country’s 26 cantons in the area of education, the Federal Government and cantons share responsibilities on higher education and on the tertiary level. With their different histories, approaches, and research focus, as well as their language diversity, the 10 cantonal universities and the 2 Federal Institutes of Technology are poised to usher a multicultural Switzerland into the future. They all share a drive for quality in teaching and research, an ambition for excellence, the exibility to cater to a multitude of demands, and the foresight to anticipate future requirements and challenges. This results in their consistently being ranked among the best universities in the world. There are twelve official higher education establishments in Switzerland. In addition to
number of private colleges offering courses that are not Government recognized. The language of instruction can be German, French, Italian or English. Students are therefore advised to research options before they apply. Before the 2011-12 academic session, Swedish universities had been entirely taxpayer funded. Today PhD programmes are still free but a change in the law took effect in August 2011 requiring undergraduates and masters students from outside the EU to pay tuition. According to the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (HĂśgskolverket), in 2009 there were approximately 36,000 foreign students in Sweden, with half of them from outside the EU. The introduction of tuition fees caused the total number of new foreign student enrolments to drop by a third between 2010 and 2011 from 22,100 to 14,700. (Source: ICEF Monitor)
Study Programmes
the 12 universities, there are also further types of universities including nine universities of applied sciences, 14 universities of teacher education and several university institutes receiving financial support from the Swiss Confederation. The academic year is divided into two semesters: winter from October to March, and summer from April to July.The total length of study up to the first academic exam is usually four to five years, depending on the course, with six years for medical studies. The Swiss academic degrees are the Lizentiat/ Licence, the diploma, and the PhD. The level of the licentiate and the diploma (the first two degrees conferred in Switzerland) correspond to the American Masters degree. Most Swiss universities ask for a licentiate as pre-requisite for a PhD. In addition to the recognised institutes of higher education, there are a
The number of university graduates continues to rise each year in Switzerland. Nevertheless, all study programmes have remained open to students having a valid maturity certificate or other certificate qualifying for university entrance .Exceptions are study programmes in medicine (human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine) and chiropractic as well as in human movement and sports sciences. There may be entrance examinations to the study programmes in medicine and partly in human movement and sports sciences depending on the number of applicants for admission in any given year. The limited number of openings is the reason why international students, apart from some special cases, are not admitted to the study programmes in medicine.
Admission to a Bachelor’s Programme For access to Swiss universities a valid Swiss maturity certificate or an equivalent foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificate qualifying for university entrance is required. Each of the universities makes its own decisions as to what certificates and qualifications it recognizes. Detailed information on general and countryspecific access and admission requirements can 111
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be found at the CRUS/Swiss ENIC Web site. Students should have a good knowledge of the language of instruction (either German, English, French or Italian). Candidates should also possess a state-recognized Swiss matriculation certificate or foreign equivalent. Foreign students may be asked to pay somewhat higher fees than native students when they are accepted onto a course.
Application Process Apply in writing to the university you have chosen, mentioning the field in which you wish to study, and enclosing a copy of your matriculation certificate, copies of college or university certificates (if any) and examination results with an official statement about your studies, and finally a detailed curriculum vitae. Once you have received confirmation of acceptance from a Swiss university, contact the Swiss Embassy in your home country for information on entry formalities for Switzerland. You will have to show proof of your financial means during your studies at this time. You will have to apply to the police department after your arrival in Switzerland to obtain a residence permit. You will need a valid passport, with visa if necessary, confirmation of acceptance from a Swiss university, a guarantee of sufficient financial means to support your studies (such as a bank statement), and a statement concerning your address in Switzerland. The residence permit will only be issued if your financial means are guaranteed; you will also need to renew the permit annually.
Source and further information: The English-language Web site http://www. swissuniversity.ch/ provides information for international students wanting to study in Switzerland and for universities seeking cooperation partners.
Scholarships: www.scholars4dev.com/8874/scholarshipsin-switzerland-for-international-students/ 112
Scholarships The Swiss Government grants university scholarships to foreign students who have graduated from university or, to a limited extent, university of applied sciences or advanced arts programmes. Detailed information on the application requirements for the scholarships, the relevant countries, and how to apply are provided by the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS):
Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) Hallwylstrasse 4 CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 323 26 76 Fax +41 (0)31 232 30 20 The mobility centres of the Swiss universities provide information on scholarships for international students granted by universities.
Visa Appointments All visa applicants must have an appointment to submit their visa application at the Consulate General. One appointment will be allocated per person, for example, if a family of five is applying for visas, then 5 appointments must be made. There are a limited number of daily appointments.You may book your appointments in advance with their service provider: Quick Print. Email: swissvisadubai@gmail.com The completed application and documents must be presented to Quick Print for verification at least 48 hours prior to your appointment date. You will then be issued a preview checklist confirmation of this verification, which should be presented to the Consulate at the appointment. Admission to the Consulate will be declined if you do not have the stamped checklist. Please note that this preview is no guarantee of a visa but only an aid to assist us in the efficient processing of your application.
Documents required for student visa Forms and supporting documents required are listed on: http://www.eda.admin.ch/dubai) or available in their office.
India
India
“India’s education system, as one of the world’s largest, has been studied and reflected on through academic papers, used as a case study and been the subject of many renowned books. India’s demographic trend means it will soon overtake China as the world’s largest population, and with an average GDP annual growth of 8% over the last decade, its middle classes that demand higher education will swell to over 500 million people in the next ten years.
I
ndia’s higher education system, originally designed to serve the elite, will now have to serve the people. Innovation and change are required and understanding that change will be essential”, states Lynne Heslop, Senior Education Adviser at the British Council India. Higher education in India is undergoing considerable change. With over 600 million people in India under 25 years old, the system is under 114
tremendous pressure to expand. India’s young population has a huge appetite for education and, as the growth in the size of the middle classes escalates, millions are increasingly able to pay for it. (Understanding India - The future of Higher Education and opportunities for International cooperation 2014 British Council report) According to Technology Review, July 2015 throughout India, online education is gaining favor
as a career accelerator, particularly in technical fields. Indian enrollments account for about 8 percent of worldwide activity in Coursera and 12 percent in edX, the two leading providers of massive open online courses, or MOOCs. India’s own top-tier technical universities have created free videotaped lectures of more than 700 courses, with the goal of putting students at regional colleges in digital contact with the country’s most renowned professors.
India’s population of more than 1.2 billion people, representing over 17% of the global total, makes India the second-most populous country on earth. China is the most populous today but forecasts predict that India will take over the top spot by 2028. In parallel to these overarching trends, India also accounted for 11% of all global graduates in 2010, and is expected to overtake the United States and produce 12% of the share 115
of graduates by the end of this decade. If current trends continue, China and India will account for 40% of all young people with a tertiary education in G20 and OECD countries by the year 2020, while the US and European Union countries will account for just over 25%. Another important statistic is that more than half of the Indian population is under the age of 25, and more than 65% is 35 or younger. As per the University Grants Commission, as on 14th August 2013 India is home to 682 Universities. Of these, 321 are state universities, 129 are Deemed to be Universities, 45 are central and 187 are private Universities. Studying in India is an enriching experience that opens the gates to professional growth. India offers many graduate, post graduate and doctoral level courses. Most state and central level colleges have excellent faculty, course curriculum and accommodation facilities. Cited below is a list of the major undergraduate and postgraduate courses in India. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs provides detailed information on the colleges and institutes offering these courses:
Engineering and Technical Education With 36 universities and 1195 colleges offering undergraduate and postgraduate engineering courses in various branches, India is rightly referred as a Mecca for finding engineers suited to cutting edge technology jobs. Over 200,000 students take admission in Indian engineering institutes and colleges. All the engineering colleges / institutions in India are recognised and regulated by the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are a group of fifteen autonomous prestigious engineering and technology-oriented institutes of higher education established and declared as Institutes of National Importance by the Parliament of India. The IITs were created to train scientists and engineers, with the aim of developing a skilled workforce to support the economic and social development of India. They have a common admission process for undergraduate admissions, using the Joint Entrance Examination (popularly known as IIT-JEE) to select around 8,000 undergraduate 116
candidates a year. Postgraduate admissions are done on the basis of the GATE, JMET, JAM and CEED. About 15,500 undergraduate and 12,000 graduate students study in the IITs, in addition to research scholars. There are also, 8 IIITs in Hyderabad, Allahabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Bhubaneshwar, Jabalpur, Gwallior, Calcutta and 8 IIMs in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Indore, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Shillong and Ranchi. The National Institutes of Technology (NITs), are colleges of engineering and technology education in India. They were originally called Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs). In 2002, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India, decided to upgrade, in phases, all the original 17 Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) as National Institutes of Technology (NITs). There are currently 20 NITs, the latest being NIT, Agartala and Karaikal (Union territory of Pondicherry). The Government of India has introduced the National Institutes of Technology (NIT) Act 2007 to bring 20 such institutions within the ambit of the act and to provide them with complete autonomy in their functioning. The NITs are deliberately scattered throughout the country in line with the government norm of an NIT in every major state of India to promote regional development. The individual NITs, after the introduction of the NIT Act, have been functioning as autonomous technical universities and hence can draft their own curriculum and functioning policies.
Medical Education Indian Medical Institutes are known worldwide for providing medical education of international standards. There are 18 university level institutions and 785 medical colleges offering undergraduate Programmes in medicine and related areas (including pharmacy, Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathic and nursing). All medical/ dental/ pharmacy/ nursing colleges in India are recognised and regulated by the statuary bodies’ i.e. Medical council of India / Dental Council of India /Pharmacy Council of India / Indian Nursing Council at central level.
INDIA Agricultural/Veterinary Education India is the preferred destination for agricultural education including study of animal sciences, dairy and fishery sciences. There are 40 renowned university level institutions and more than 199 colleges offering various courses in Agriculture. Undergraduate Programmes are offered in 11 major disciplines and postgraduate Programmes in as many as 65 different specialisations. All universities also offer Ph.D Programmes in these specialisations. The universities offering medical educations in Indi/a are under the control of an apex national body, Indian Council for Agricultural research (IICAR), which is responsible for the promotion and coordination of agricultural research and higher education in various branches of Agriculture and Allied Science in India.
Management Courses To meet the growing demand of management professionals, India started its first formalised management educational Programme in the late 1950s. Today, India has 600 institutes offering Programmes in management at undergraduate and postgraduate levels with prestigious institutes like the Indian Institute of management (IIMs). All management colleges/institutes in India are recognised and regulated by All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), a statutory body of Government of India.
Natural/Applied Sciences/Liberal Arts and Humanities Students from all over the world come to the Indian shores for study of Natural and Applies Sciences, Liberal Arts and Humanities, the reasonIndia has a wealth of resources, from infrastructure to faculty. A variety of Programmes are available in traditional liberal arts and humanities. There are 162 traditional universities and more than 7,494 colleges offering degree in Science/ Arts / Commerce. Undergraduate Programmes are offered in more than 150 disciplines and post graduate in 50 more than 50 specialisations.
Hotel Management and Tourism The degrees offered by the Indian institutions in Hotel Management and Tourism studies
equip students with all required skills and knowledge to effectively discharge supervisory and managerial responsibilities in the hospitality industry. With 24 Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) and 6 Food Craft Institutes spread all over the country, India offers three-year degree Programme in hotel management and catering technology. The Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management (IITM) offers short term courses designed for travel and tourism studies.
Fashion and Design Technology India has always been the hub of textile and garment trade. There are as many as 75 institutes in India that offer courses in fashion, design technology and related fields. Training at these institutes is imparted keeping in mind the demands of the international market. The institutes are equipped with latest technologies, laboratories, workshops, design and research centres, libraries, and computers. Source: National Portal Content Management Team, Reviewed on:10-01-2011
Undergraduate Courses:Undergraduate courses, in general, are of three years leading to Bachelor degrees in Arts, Science, Commerce, etc. As of this year Delhi University has introduced four year Bachelor’s programmes. Undergraduate courses leading to a first degree in professional subjects like Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy are of a longer duration ranging from four to five and a half years. Most of the engineering courses take four years, to complete while the medical courses are about five and a half years long. Postgraduate Courses:Postgraduate Courses in Arts, Science, Engineering and Medicine are usually for two years ending with the award of a Master’s degree. Some universities and institutes offer a diploma or a certificate course of shorter duration. However the duration of these courses varies from university to university. Doctoral courses like M Phil and PhD are available only at the university colleges. These courses involve 117
INDIA research work under a guide, leading to thesis submission and viva-voce. Application Process: Most Colleges and Universities in India begin their academic term in July/August. The application process varies from Institution to institution and from state to state. Institutions start distributing application forms four to six months before the commencement of classes. Students must have completed 12 years of schooling to be eligible to apply. The competition for seats is intense and the cut-off percentages for entry can be extremely high as there are more applicants than seats. Most professional courses have pre requisite qualifying examinations, some of which are all India level while others are state level. Some institutions offer Management seats or charge higher fees for their self-financing sections. Minority groups get preference and some seats are reserved for them. Some courses such as architecture require aptitude tests. Most private institutions offer foreign nationals and non resident Indians seats. The costs for these spots are much higher and some institutions have special entry tests before admission. The result of these tests along with board exam results is used to determine the student’s eligibility for admission. International students and non-resident students can secure admission through a scheme called Direct Admission for Students Abroad (DASA). To be eligible, the student must have studied in a foreign institution for the last three years. For more information on this, visit Education Consultants of India. The site also lists institutions they work with. www. educationindia4u.nic.in Foreign Nationals/Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)/Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who wish to secure a place under Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) Scheme to Undergraduate Courses in Engineering in National Institutes of Technology (NITs), IIITs and other premier Technical Institutions in India can visit http:// dasanit.org/ for detailed information. The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India has entrusted the coordination of the admission process under DASA scheme to NITK, Surathkal from academic year 2010-11. 118
Documents Required: Printed application form duly signed by the candidate and parent / guardian. Recent Passport size photograph (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) in the hard copy of the application form Copy of candidate’s Passport (In case of Napalese candidates not having passport, copy of citizenship card has to be submitted) Copy of Mark Sheet of 10th and 12th (or) Equivalent examination Proof of 3 Years Study Abroad (for NRI students) Documentary evidences for residential requirements Proof of fee payment / DD The above documents should be sent to Mail your queries or doubts at dasa@nitk.ac.in or contact DASA office on +91 824 2474085 Costs: Indian institutions offer quality education at affordable prices. Estimated cost for an undergraduate degree is about USD 10,000 for all three years. Living costs also are comparatively low and can range from USD 1200 to 2000/. Fees under Management quota tend to be higher. Scholarships are available for academic merit or under sports quota.
Visas Internationals desirous of studying in India would need to submit the following documents: A valid passport Provisional acceptance letter for an accredited institution A health certificate It is best to contact the nearest Indian diplomatic mission for updated information and guidance.
Websites of use: www.ugc.ac.in: Information on Universities http://dasanit.org: DASA Scheme www.educationindia4u.nic.in Education Consultants of India www.aicte.ernet.in: All India Council for Technical Education
New Zealand With the promise of modern, quality education and benign weather, New Zealand is a prime education destination for prospective students. Its institutions feature modern facilities and effective class sizes conducive to active participation and learning.
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nparalleled study opportunities and excellent support services for international students make the country a favorite destination for higher education. Furthermore, the climate is temperate and almost sub-tropical, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, conducive to study, sightseeing and recreation. New Zealand is building its international position as a study destination and has registered
d n a l a e Z
some important gains over the last year and more. From January to August 2014, for example, the country saw a 12% increase in enrolments compared to the same period from 2013. The latest data shows that New Zealand is extending this growth trend into 2015 as well. The 12% increase in international student enrolments for January-August 2014 represented 10,000 additional students, a result helped along by a resurgence in the number of Indian students
choosing New Zealand for their further studies. Indian student enrolments shot up from 10.5% in 2013 to 15.8% in the same period in 2014 (a 50% increase), with most of those gains concentrated in private training institutions. China remained the leading source of international students in New Zealand in 2014, but in the JanuaryAugust timeframe, Chinese students’ share of total enrolment fell slightly from 32% in 2013 to 29.1% last year. The latest government data tracks international student visa trends for all of 2014 and it shows that visa issuances continued to trend upwards for the entire calendar year. In total, the New Zealand government issued more visas to international students in 2014 than in 2013 – reflected in that total is a 37% jump in first-time student visas and a 6% increase in returning student visas. (Source ICEF Monitor April 2015)
System of Education Higher education in New Zealand takes from the British pattern and follows a semester system. Students pursuing higher education in New Zealand need to have self-direction as most courses are taught via lectures, labs and tutorials. A bachelor’s degree in the country typically takes three years, and students can get an Honors degree after another year of study. However, bachelor’s degrees in some special fields take much longer to complete. Candidates can pursue a Master’s degree after completing their bachelor’s. Doctoral studies require either a Master’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree with Honors. In all, there are eight universities in the country and all of them are funded by the state.Besides these, New Zealand also hosts 23 Polytechnics or Institutes of Technology, as well as around 860 privately owned training establishments, which offer a wide range of vocational courses. New Zealand has established a Code of Practice for the pastoral care of international students. Read more on www.minedu.govt.nz/gota/international.
Application Process The first semester starts during the month of February and is over by the end of June. The 121
NEW ZEALAND the institution you are applying to. Most tertiary institutions need you to prove that you have a reasonable grasp of the English language.It is always best to apply three months to six months before the commencement of your course. That way, one can find out all the specific requirements for admission and work towards attaining them.
Finances & Scholarships
second semester starts in July and finishes in November. Some universities have a threesemester pattern where the semesters begin in February, July and November.
Admission Requirements The requirements for entry are course and institute specific. However certain aspects can be considered uniform. Entry into colleges and universities in New Zealand mandate 13 years of education. Students from the Indian curriculum will be accepted directly into the programme provided the board exam result is 75% and above. For all those with less than 75%, the yearlong foundation is mandatory. A student with high school marks that are less than 75% can first be enrolled in one of the polytechnics for one year until he/she improves his/her grades and then be moved to a university for a Bachelors degree. Further requirements need to be confirmed with
Websites of use: www.studyinnewzealand.com www.mynz.com – Institutional profiles and information on studies in NZ. www.ezone.aeSpecialist Agent: Education Zone Knowledge village, Building 2B, Office F30, Dubai, UAE
Postal Address:
P.O. Box 214592, Dubai, UAE Tel- 009714 3910257 122
Undergraduate study can cost about NZ$18,000– $25,000 a year, depending on your course. It can cost up to $40,000 a year for postgraduate courses. The cost of studying a Diploma or PostGraduate Diploma in New Zealand may cost NZ$ 10,000 to NZ$ 20,000 approximately per year, while cost of studying for a Post Graduate Diploma may be anywhere between NZ$ 15,000 and NZ$ 30,000. All international students are required to have medical insurance when in New Zealand. This can be arranged before you leave home, or your institution will arrange insurance for you when you enrol. International students in New Zealand are eligible for a wide variety of scholarships through the New Zealand government, educational institutions, foreign governments, and private funding sources. Commonwealth Scholarships for candidates from developing countries to study in New Zealand are available at Masters or doctoral level. For Masters Degrees, the scholarships are tenable for up to two years. For doctorates, the maximum scholarship length is four years. Candidates are required to study/research fulltime. See more in Commonwealth Scholarships, including nominating agencies on the websire. Source(www.newzealandeducated.com)
Visas The New Zealand Immigration Service only grants visas to students who has enrolled for a course in an NZQA or New Zealand Qualifications authority accredited institution.Once you have secured admission, you will receive an ‘Offer of Place’ letter confirming commencement dates, course details and an invoice for the tuition fee. During visa application, you will need to show this offer of place letter along with thesupporting documents Visit the Embassy website for the specifics.
Singapore
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that also allows foreign students to he cost of living in Singapore is Singapore is a work forupto 16 hours a week while relatively low and therefore the gate way to Asia. enrolled in full-time studies. cost of tuition and living is not At the tertiary level, apart from as prohibitive as some of the other Its geographical the four renowned locally grown countries.Despite its cosmopolitan position makes universities, Singapore has attracted population, its history as a centre more than 10 world-class instituof trade and entrepreneurialism travel within the tions with strong industry links to set positions it closer to the West than Asian region very its neighbours. While Chinese, easy and affordable. up centres of excellence in education and research. Among them are reMalay, and Tamil are also official spected names such as the leading languages, English is widely spoken Singapore has French university - INSEAD, the and understood by 75% of the five a successful free renowned Massachusetts Institute million strong population and is the of Technology, and leading US busiofficially designated language for market economy ness schools such as University of the education system. with a vibrant Chicago Graduate School of BusiThe education system in life style. ness. Applications for entry and visa Singapore revolves around the formalities are handled premise that every by the university to student has unique which you are applyaptitudes and ing. Each university interests. They have has minimum entry reevolved from the quirements. The closing old-school British system, adopting a flexible approach to allow you date for normal applications is in February of the to develop your potential to the fullest.The strength year of entry. The rise of the National University of Singapore’s Education system lies in its bilingual of Singapore (NUS)) to the top of the QS Univerpolicy (English with Malay/Mandarin/Tamil) and sity Rankings :Asia is the latest evidence of Sina broad-based curriculum where innovation and gapore’s strengthened position as a regional eduentrepreneurship command a premium. Most cation leader. Singapore’s Nanyang Technological institutions offer merit based scholarships and the University (NTU) also jumped in the rankings this unemployment rate is 2% as per 2011 estimates. year, from 9th position to 7th. Moreover, students can fast track programmes and transfer into parent campuses in UK or Australia. The four local universities in Singapore: However, contrary to international trends, 1. National University of Singapore (NUS) Singapore is aiming to restrict the number of 2. Nanyang Technological University (NTU) international students at its universities in the face 3. Singapore Management University (SMU) of local anxiety that too few places were available 4. Singapore University of Technology and for nationals. Foreign enrolment at Singapore’s Design (SUTD) universities will be capped while 2,000 new The Singapore Institute of Management university places will be added for local students by University (UniSIM), is expanding offerings 2015, so that the proportion of foreign students will to include broad-based education in business come down from 18% of the student body to about and accounting, while the Singapore Institute 15%. Singapore hosts over 70,000 international of Technology (SIT) will offer highly specialised students annually, although the government has engineering programmes in rail and software. begun to cap numbers. Nevertheless, Singapore Both institutions were recently upgraded to remains an attractive destination as a safe, tolerant, university status by the Singapore government multicultural, and technologically advanced country as part of far-reaching higher education reforms.
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International Universities in Singapore In addition to local universities, many of the world’s leading foreign universities have also established their presence in Singapore. These universities have either set up a physical campus or have joint collaborations/programmes with local universities. 1. Curtin Singapore 2. East Asia Institute of Management (EASB) 3. James Cook University 4. Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) 5. PSB Academy 6. Raffles Institute of Design
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7. Singapore Institute of Management 8. Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS)
Entry Requirement: Apart from exacting academic requirements, for applicants whose mother tongue is not English, the individual universities will set their required IELTS/TOEFL scores. Individual institutions will have varying entry requirements. Visit the institutional websites for the details.
Fees and Funding Tuition fees vary widely between institutions and courses. International students can apply for a tuition grant which is administered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and offered to all admitted students. Students who are approved for the tuition grants need only pay subsidised fee. While the tuition grant is not repayable, international students who have availed of it are required to work in Singapore after graduation to contribute to repayment. The employment bond period is longer for international students than for nationals. For medicine and dentistry students from overseas the service bond with the Singapore Ministry of Health is either for six years (medicine) or five years (dentistry). For other courses international students will be required to work for a Singapore-registered company for three years after graduation. Check individual website for details of the scheme.
Websites of use and source: http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/apply/ local/ib/ www.singaporeedu.gov.sg: Education in Singapore http://app.singaporeedu.gov.sg/asp/ edu/edu0405a.asp: Complete list of programmes http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/ post-secondary/files/post-secondarybrochure.pdf www.monitor.icef.com 126
Cost of Living: An international student in Singapore spends on average about S$750 to S$2,000 a month on living expenses. The amount of course, varies depending on your individual lifestyle and course of study. For student visa international student are required to show S$10,000/- for first year of expenses.
Work Opportunities in Singapore: Full-time undergraduates are allowed to work part-time of up to 16 hours per week during term, and work full-time during vacation as the Ministry of Manpower has exempted them from applying for work permits. Majority of the courses offered by foreign institutions are project based and have in built internships. Since courses are accelerated, students are able to finish their studies fast and ready to earn full time salary. After studies student may take up the full time job and apply for work permit under one of the categories including Employment Pass or Work permit (foreign worker). Even after graduating into the workforce, there are numerous opportunities for further training. Professional and skills-based training are offered and popularly subscribed to. It is not uncommon to see the likes of seminars by management gurus or lectures by visiting dignitaries.
Visa Procedures Once accepted by a university, applicants must apply within two weeks to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for a Student’s Pass (S$90). The application is processed online. Successful applicants will be issued with an inprinciple approval (IPA) letter. Applicants need not apply for a separate visa as it is incorporated in the IPA letter, which can be used at entry checkpoints. On arrival in Singapore, complete formalities on production of a range of documents including passport, disembarkation/embarkation card, and a medical report in the prescribed format (available on ICA’s website). Students entering Singapore are screened for TB and HIV. A medical certificate showing that neither condition is present is required before a student pass is issued.
University of Bolton Offers a World Class Education in RAK The University of Bolton, Academic Centre Ras Al Khaimah, began academic operations in 2008 and since then has seen four batches of students graduating. The RAK Academic Centre offers programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in a variety of disciplines, such as mechanical, civil, electrical and electronic engineering, business management, computing, accountancy, supply chain management and construction project management. All the programmes delivered at the Academic Centre are equivalent to those offered in Bolton, UK. They are assessed by the same examination boards and moderated by the same external examiners. All degree certificates are issued directly by the University of Bolton, UK, and these are identical to those offered to students at the parent campus. With 600 students on campus, Bolton’s student population represents more than 30 nationalities. In addition to providing the best value, the University’s Academic Centre develops the career skills of students by providing them with internships and placements. More than 60 companies provide Bolton students with the opportunity to enhance their learning by working on live projects in a real workplace setting. Students from RAK have also participated in study visits to the UK. Many Bolton students find gainful employment before they graduate due to the commitment of staff members, which is reinforced by feedback from satisfied students. Recent additions to the programmes portfolio have also included an MBA top-up, providing progression opportunities for students with Level 7 qualifications, graduate MBA for fresh graduates, which includes a comprehensive consultancy project, and Construction Project management, which provides students with the opportunity to attend classes over the weekend without leaving their employment. Visitors have found our state-of-the-art campus, complete with extra and co-curricular facilities including hostels, an ideal learning environment. A majority of our students choose the University of Bolton as their destination for a world class education and the academic merit scholarships we offer further encourage and motivate these students to strive for excellence. The University of Bolton Academic Centre RAK is open for applications all year, with intake and enrolment every September and January. The early aadmissions discount scheme is available up until July each academic year, and provides unbeatable value.
International Students The University of Bolton RAK Academic Centre has been welcoming international students for a number of years and we have a large number currently studying with us from all around the world. We enjoy a well established and thriving community of international students, supported by a very active Student Union, which has helped to create a friendly and caring environment for which we are well known. You may be thousands of miles away from home but you will be among friends who understand your concerns and want you to feel the special atmosphere that creates the Bolton experience. There are many things to take into consideration when choosing a university and RAK Campus has many very important features that make it an excellent option for international students: • Great location • Friendly community • Multiple Intakes • Value for money • Student support • Career prospects
Scholarships The University of Bolton Academic Centre RAK is proud to offer Merit and Need based Scholarships to all GCC and International students. The university Campus on an average provides scholarships worth up to 1 Million Dirhams every year. Please note for more information please contact us on 0097172211221 or email on admissions@wincedu.net, enquiries.uaecampus@bolton.ac.uk.
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UAE The UAE – and in particular, Dubai – has become a growing regional hub for education, attracting billions of dollars in investment and witnessing an astonishing pace of enrolment growth across its K-12 and higher education institutions. As per reports by the Knowledge and Human Devt. Authority, there are students from 184 different nationalities in Dubai’s private schools, highlighting the diversity that comes with Dubai’s location at the crossroads of the East and the West.
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tudents with an Indian nationality comprise more than a third of the students in private schools. More students are enrolled in a UK or Indian curriculum school than any other type of school in Dubai. The proportion of students attending UK curriculum schools and Indian curriculum schools has increased from last year. The International School Consultancy Group(ISC) indicate that there are now 7,017 international schools around the world meeting the learning needs of over 3.5 million students, all using English as the language for learning. Nearly 30% of all international schools today are bilingual with English as the primary language of learning usually combined with the local language. The United Arab Emirates with 129
428 international schools is home to maximum number of international schools, followed closely by China which now has 417 schools. According to ICEF monitor of March 2014, for international schools in Dubai, much of the growth potential is due to the increased desire from Emirate nationals to send their children to international schools along with an expanding expatriate sector. Currently the most prevalent student nationalities at the premium international schools in Dubai are Indian, British, Emirati, American and Pakistani. Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) predicts that student
enrolment will grow by 7% each year for at least the next five years. Dubai has an incredible 60 school developments planned.
Some of the curricula on offer include: International Baccalaureate The IB diploma is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education that prepared students aged 16 to 19 for success at University and life beyond. IB diploma students study six subjects at higher or standard level Students must choose one subject from each of groups thus ensuring breadth of experience in languages, Social Studies, the 130
experimental sciences and mathematics. The sixth subject may be an arts subject chosen from group 6, or the student may choose another subject from group 1 to 5. At least 3 and not more than 4 subjects are taken at higher level (recommended 240 teaching hours) , the others at standard level (150 teaching hours). Students can study these subjects, and be examined in English, French or Spanish.
Group One -Best language and additional language Students select two languages: one from group 1 and an additional language normally from group 2. Group 1 is for students’ best language and the course is literature based; Group 2 is designed for students learning the language up to near native level. Students select the language courses based on their language proficiency and the outcomes of the course. Group Three - Individuals and societies Business and management Economics Geography History Islamic history Information technology in a global society Philosophy Psychology Social and cultural Anthropology Group Four - Experimental sciences Biology Chemistry Design technology Environmental systems Physics Group Five -Mathematics and computer science Mathematical studies standard level Mathematics standard level
Mathematics higher level Further mathematics standard level Computer science Group 6 – The Arts Music Theatre Arts Visual Arts In addition the programme has three core requirements that are included to broaden the educational experience and challenge students to apply their knowledge and understanding. The extended essay is a requirement for students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the subjects they are studying. Theory of knowledge is a course designed to encourage each student to reflect on the nature of knowledge by critically examining different ways of knowing (perception, emotion, language and reason) and different kinds of knowledge (scientific, artistic, mathematical and historical). Creativity, action, service (CAS) requires that students actively learn from the experience of doing real tasks beyond the classroom. Students can combine all three components or do activities related to each one of them separately. Assessment: Students take a written exam at th end of the programme. The highest total that a diploma holder can be awarded is 45. The marks awarded for each course ranges from 1 to 7, with 7 being the highest. A score of 24 or above must be secured to be granted a diploma along with satisfactory performance in CAS. Up to 3 points can be granted for the extended essay and theory of knowledge. Universities in USA may offer credits for high scores in the IB. Source:: http://www.ismoshi.org/dip_flier.pdf
British Curriculum Schools The International GCSE (IGCSE) is an internationally recognised qualification which was designed as a secondary school qualification for pupils overseas but it is now being adopted by an increasing number of schools and colleges in the United Kingdom in preference
to the standard GCSE. IGCSEs are the same qualification level as a standard GCSE and the qualifications are considered by many to be a more rigorous preparation for A-levels. IGCSEs offer progression to ‘A’ Level, BTEC vocational courses, and other similar qualifications that are recognised internationally and by the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). IGCSE is offered to students in over 150 countries and is gaining popularity in the UK .World-wide over 1.5 million students enter IGCSE exams every year.
A Level Courses A Levels are considered the Gold Standard of the British education system and abilities, even in later life are still measured against it. Because A levels are usually studied over a two year period each syllabus is divided into two halves or “AS & A2 Levels”. Whilst each half covers approximately the same amount of material, the conceptually harder elements will nearly always be found in the second “A2” half. Generally, AS and A2 will each consist of two units. Each unit leads to a corresponding exam. Examinations are normally in June, although you may be able to arrange to sit some exams in January You can start an A Level course at any time but you can only sit your examination in an appropriate examination window. To prepare for A Levels, students should have a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade C and above or equivalent qualifications. These would ideally include English and Mathematics. Various subjects are on offer and can differ from school to school. Students can also prepare and appear for exams privately through the British Council with permission from the school. Apart from this, some schools provide, Cambridge IGCSE curriculum for 14-16 year olds, leading to globally recognized Cambridge IGCSE qualifications. It is part of the Cambridge Secondary 2 stage. Schools worldwide have helped develop Cambridge IGCSE, which provides excellent preparation for the Cambridge Advanced stage including Cambridge International AS and A Levels and Cambridge Pre-U, as well as other progression routes. It incorporates the best in international education for learners at this level. It develops 131
in line with changing needs, and is regularly updated and extended. Cambridge IGCSE teachers can draw on excellent resources, training and advice from subject experts. Assessment for Cambridge IGCSE includes written and oral tests, coursework and practical assessment. Schools have the option of assessing learners using only external examinations or, in most subjects, combining examinations with coursework. Coursework is set and marked by the teacher and externally moderated by Cambridge. Teachers who have received training from Cambridge, or who possess suitable experience of marking coursework may carry out this assessment. In most subjects there is a choice between core and extended curricula, making IGCSE suitable for a wide range of abilities. Each learner’s performance is benchmarked using eight internationally recognised grades. There are clear guidelines which explain the standard of achievement for different grades. Cambridge IGCSE examination sessions occur twice a year, in May/June and October/November. Results are issued in August and January. Assessment for Cambridge IGCSE includes written and oral tests, coursework and practical assessment. Schools have the option of assessing learners using only external examinations or, in most subjects, combining examinations with coursework. Coursework is set and marked by the teacher and externally moderated by Cambridge. In most subjects there is a choice between core and extended curricula, making IGCSE suitable for a wide range of abilities. Each learner’s performance is benchmarked using eight internationally recognised grades. There are clear guidelines which explain the standard of achievement for different grades. Cambridge IGCSE examination sessions occur twice a year, in May/June and October/November. Results are issued in August and January. Some institutions in America give credits to A level students. Source http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/ middlesec/igcse/subjects http://www.edexcel.com/International/Documents/ Edexcel-Capabilities-Final-UnitedKingdom.pdf http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/ middlesec/igcse/overview 132
Central Board of Secondary Education There are 119 CBSE schools in the Gulf Council and each GCC country is represented by a Chapter Convenor who co-ordinates with each other. In Dubai, there are 21 schools offering an Indian curriculum.. These schools follow the curricula of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) or International Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE). According to KHDA statistics, around 58,000 students currently attend schools offering an Indian curriculum in Dubai alone . The Central Board of Secondary Examination (CBSE) conducts final examinations every spring for All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) for Class 10 and 12.The board also annually conducts the AIEEE for admission to undergraduate courses in engineering and architecture in numerous colleges spread over India. It also conducts AIPMT - All India Pre medical Test for admission to major medical colleges in India.
Academic calendar First Term - April to June Second Term - Sept. to November Third Term - December to March The curriculum is so designed as to inspire the students to acquire and use the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a multi-cultural, technologically sophisticated environment that places intellectual and emotional quotient on par. Students who graduate are eligible for admission to any school in any part of India or other parts of the world. The All India S.S.C Examination of the Central Board has been recognized as a qualifying examination for admission to Indian as well as foreign Universities. Hindi is taught as a compulsory second language upto Grade 7. The student has a choice of opting for French from Grade 8 onwards. Arabic is a compulsory language for all grades up till Grade 10 and optional for Grades 11 & 12.
Scheme of Studies Secondary (Grade 9 and 10) These 2 crucial years of school life are spent almost exclusively in preparing the child to appear for the All India Secondary School Examination conducted by CBSE, New Delhi.
Core Syllabus - English, Arabic, Hindi / French, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Science, (History, Geography, Economics, Civics and Political Science, Disaster Management), Computer Science, Art Education, Work Experience, Physical and Health Education. Senior Secondary (Grade 11 and 12) The AISSCE conducted by CBSE, New Delhi has been recognised as a qualifying examination for admission to Indian as well as foreign Universities. The school offers various streams of study at this level example: Science, Commerce or Arts. The electives offered may be changed under instructions from the Board. Compulsory Subjects - English Core, General Studies, Physical and Health Education, Work Experience. Marking Scheme: http://www.cbse.nic.in/curric~1/msclass-x-2010.pdf More info : http://cbse.nic.in/welcome.htm
Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations With its affiliation to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, New Delhi, India, some schools follow the curriculum of the CISCE Board and prepares students for the ICSE examination in the Secondary School and ISC examination in the Higher Secondary School. The Board and the curriculum framework provide a platform for diversity of intelligence in children and provide multiple avenues to focus on the student’s potential. The Indian Certificate of Secondary Education or ICSE examination is an examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, a private, non-governmental board of school education in India, for class 10,. It has been designed to provide an examination in a course of general education, in accordance with the recommendations of the New Education Policy 1986 (India), through the medium of English. The examination allows secure suitable representation of Governments responsible for schools (which are affiliated to it) in their States/ Territories. Private candidates are not permitted to appear for this examination.
In all subjects other than Science and Computers, students must submit compulsory coursework assignments. In groups I and II they count for 20% of the student’s performance in the subject; in group III the assignments count for 50%. In Science and Computers, students are tested on their laboratory work. In subjects where there is more than one paper, the mark in the subject is calculated by taking the average of all papers in the subject. Candidates appearing for the examination have to study seven subjects, with anywhere from 1 to 3 papers in each subject. This makes for a total of 8-12 papers, depending on the subjects. The certificate has international equivalence and enables students to transfer to International Universities. http:// icseguide.com/icse-board-open-its-doors-toinformation-seekers/ http://www.cisce.org/council.html
American Curriculum Schools The American curriculum is based on American standards of achievement in all subject areas, supported by a huge range of co-curricular activities that ensure students have the opportunity to develop fully as individuals. It includes enquiry-based, hands-on teaching methods and learning strategies geared to individualized instruction. Any American curriculum refers to a broad and balanced Kindergarten to Year 12 [K-12] program commencing with entry to Kindergarten at age 5 and concluding with the award of the American High School Diploma on successful completion of Grade 12, at age 17. The American diploma is accepted for entrance by all US universities and colleges, and is increasingly recognized by international schools of higher education. To cater to the needs of the diverse community; schools offer a range of course options and curricula. Some schools in UAE offer a combination of two curricula. Some may have a British system along with IB while others like the SABIS schools offer APs or advanced placement along with A levels.. Most schools are segregated and operate from separate campuses or at different times. The costs, facilities and structure vary greatly. The choice is yours to make. 133
Crafting a winning personal statement T
his essay should not only prove to the admissions team that you are the right candidate for the programme through GPAs and scores, you have to demonstrate it with the confidence and selfpossession of your piece. The personal statement provides an opportunity to showcase their goals, ambition, strengths and achievements. Without sounding pompous or arrogant, this is one time we need to toot your own horn. That said, it is crucial to maintain a balance between restraint and expression. An essay or personal statement aims at interesting its reader, and the key to achieving that is to whet their appetite but leave them wanting more. Here are some tips to keep you on the right path.
The Attitude
For an international student, who may not have the opportunity to be interviewed or a chance to exhibit extensive written work to the university, your personal statement becomes your spokesperson. Course tutors use personal statements to compare applicants, so make an effort to help yours stand out from the crowd.
Besides the unavoidable research and the curricular and extracurricular effort, crafting your essay takes considerable mental preparation as well. Diving into the task without the right mindset can adversely affect the effectiveness of your essay. The Six Cs is a useful set of guidelines to help you along. Be concise- Every admissions officer has a big stack to read every day; he or she expects to spend only a couple of minutes on the essay. If you go over 700 words, you are straining - Rema Menon their patience, which no one should - Sree Surendran want to do. When it comes to words Doing so can make you sound less is more in the PS. Choose them busy, but at the same time, scattered wisely and with caution. Flabby writing is unattractive and implies an unclear and superficial. This also goes for your prose. mind; which is an unacceptable first impression. Incorrectly incorporating a fancy phrase for literary Be coherent- Write about just one subject at a brownie points is a catastrophic writing faux pas. time. Don’t try to cover everything in an essay. Keep it simple, keep it clear, and keep it real. 134
Be confident- It is important to know your strengths and express them with maturity. Your talents and skills are what make you interesting. It is helpful to show your intellectual vitality. What turns your mind on? This is not the same thing as declaring an intended major, it’s
adding to that. Have an opinion that you can substantiate. Take a stand on issues. Be brave with your thoughts. Tell them why you are unique in your original voice. Think,“How can I communicate me without just standing up and saying it, which is corny.” Subtlety is good. 135
Be courteous- There is a thin line between confident and cocky. Colleges see themselves as communities, where people have to get along with others, in dorms, classes, etc. Are you someone they would like to have dinner with, hang out with, have in a discussion group? A positive attitude, with an open mind is a combination that gets the best results. On the same page, humor is always in the eye of the beholder—You never know how someone you don’t know is going to respond to you, especially if you offer something humorous. It is not advisable to rub your examiner the wrong way especially when you do not have the advantage of a face to face interaction. Be curious- You know your skill sets, you have the scores, you have done your research. And you want more. The pursuit of higher education is a dedicated effort at knowing more, and being more and being intrigued by all the undiscovered universes waiting for you. You know a little, there’s a lot more you don’t – and that is what excites you. Colleges are places for the discussion of ideas, and admissions officers look for diversity of mind. Be comfortable- Your essay is the voice over that plays at the start of your life-movie. It is your home voice, the tenor you use when you are speaking to yourself – at your most comfortable. In the case of the P.S, honesty is the only policy. Don’t try to be something you are not. If you’re going straight from high school to college, you’re just a teenager, doing teenage things. It is your mind and how it works that are distinctive. Your best quality is that you are you and there is no one else who can be you. So make yourself comfortable on the page. A good essay is often compared to a story: In many cases, it’s an anecdote of an important moment. Provide some details to help the reader see the setting. Use the names of the other people in the story, including your brother, teacher, or coach to personalize your narrative. When you are ease, the reader feels it too. 136
Some important rules of thumb Keeping the 6 Cs in mind will make it easier to draft an airtight, well structured personal statement. Your essay must be a streamlined and carefully put together to create the perfect snapshot of yourself. For this it is important to sieve and order your piece for best effect. Before you embark on your writing, introspect. Look within yourself to understand and evaluate the skills as well as qualities you possess that will help you in the intended career. Write about your academic strengths that will enable you to do well in the programme. Read the entry profiles of the course/s you aspire to enroll in. Reflect on your interests and the work you’ve done that tie in with this major and weave it into your statement. Don’t be afraid of not being perfect. Showcase your interest or fascination for the subject through specific examples rather than state it. You could perhaps start off by stating a brief anecdote. I find such personal stories or experiences create pictures in the mind and can be most appealing to the reader. Use active voice rather than a passive one; it keeps the reader engaged and eager to learn more. Remember to structure your personal statement such that it is pertinent to the institutions you have chosen. Avoid mentioning names of universities as the same statement is viewed by all institutions you will apply to. Should you be considering two different subject areas, remember to include the skill sets and experiences applicable to both. If you are not yet in grade 12 or 13, you could get a head start by taking up an internship in your field of interest or take up a couple of courses over the academic year or the summer that can strengthen your application. Internships can be the acid test of reality for your dream careers. For example, you see the sophisticated side of the life of a hotel professional or that of an Airline staff, but even shadowing one of them
for a week will enlighten you on the challenges of the profession.
Pointers for Writing 1. Consider your opening carefully. The
opening lines of the personal statement sets the tone of your writing. I see some students begin their statement by using a quote by a great leader or a proverb. Remember, there is a specific word count available to you, use it judiciously. They need to hear your voice rather than a proverb or a quotation. Sometimes it may be a good idea to write the rest of your PS and then craft the opening paragraph at the end. Remember, to be your spokesperson, the statement has to be personalized, and unique to you, not vague and generic. Don’t be afraid to redraft your statement. Some students cling to their lines even when told that some lines are repetitive or superfluous. One needs to be open to suggestion and take criticism positively. 2. Take pointers without plagiarizing. The web is full of sample personal statements. It may be a good idea to read a couple but remember that your personal statement has to be your own work, not something copied from the internet or from past applicants. Proper systems are in place to weed out plagiarism. As per the UCAS website, ‘If you are found to have similarity in your personal statement, your application will be flagged, you, together with your choices will receive an email alert and this could have serious consequences for your application’. 3. Check your spelling. Another important point to bear in mind is that most computers have American English built in so the spellings may not be appropriate in the British context for example programme becomes program, actualise become actualize, etc. When you do a spell check please bear this in mind and try not to depend completely on the auto correct function. Have the statement read by your English teacher to eliminate grammatical errors. So whether you are writing an essay for a British institution or an American one, remember to use the appropriate spelling. 4. Refrain from big bombastic words if they are not really ‘you’ or your style of expression. Be you, not who you want to be.
5. Do not become
Some questions for
introspection: repetitive. Whether Why? Why do I enjoy in terms of idea the subject or vocabulary, it is What? What academic important to keep your strengths do I possess prose refreshing. The that will help me recurrence of the same demonstrate my interest word or phrase within in the subject? the same paragraph When? Give leaves an unvaried taste examples of times in the reader’s mind. the skill/interest was Keep your writing fresh demonstrated to keep your audience Where? Was it in involved. school or outside Similarly, some - during some extrastudents begin every curricular activity? sentence with “I” and Which? Which skills or this does not go down interest tie in with my well with the reader. intended major? How? How did I put The repeated ‘I’ shuts this skill or interest to out the reader and practice or hone it? reduces the level of Was it an internship interest. For example: opportunity? Instead of stating I enjoy basket ball, it Writing Checklist: sounds so much nicer 1. Spell check when we say, ‘Basket 2. Punctuation ball is important to 3. Tense agreement me because I…’ Try to 4. Vocabulary OR use your “I” half way repeated/misused through the sentence vocabulary and state the outcome of the experience. Another example would be: Organising fund raising activities for ‘Dubai Cares’, allowed me to…instead of I organised fund raising activities for ‘Dubai Cares’. 6. Keep it flowing. Construct bridges to help retain the flow. Use phrases such as ‘Besides’, ‘Not only …but also’, ‘In addition to’…’As well as’… etc to help your statement read better. Rather than have several disjointed sentences strung together, use appropriate words in such a way that there is a flow and the reader gets a peek into your life, your perspectives and your experiences. In conclusion, dear student, make the most of this opportunity – even though it sounds clichéd, remember, you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression! 137
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EDUTECH
Education in the 21st century is a team effort; collaboration is no longer an elective but a necessity. Limited by time and available resources, collaborating effectively can prove to be a challenge. However, by leveraging technology, teamwork, and innovation, schools and their classrooms can overcome these traditional boundaries to work together on common goals and drive student success.
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ur teachers need to keep abreast with technology to keep pace with students and their evolving needs. “School systems need to ďŹ nd more effective ways to integrate technology into teaching and learning to provide educators with learning environments that support 21st century pedagogies and provide children with the 21st century skills they need to succeed in tomorrow’s
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world,” said Andreas Schleicher, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Director for Education and Skills. “Technology is the only way to dramatically expand access to knowledge. To deliver on the promises technology holds, countries need to invest more effectively and ensure that teachers are at the forefront of designing and implementing this change.” While there are still many obstacles facing teachers in implementing technology, teachers play a critical role in driving the use of technology to teach writing, says a recent report by the National Writing Project (NWP) and the College Board. In the report,“Writing, Learning, and Leading in the Digital Age,” nine teachers – selected for their commitment to excellence and for a diverse set of disciplines, locations, kinds of schools, and student populations they represent – were observed by a writer for one day and then interviewed. Students who use computers and learning technology at moderate levels tend to have better learning outcomes than students who use computers and learning technology rarely, according to new research from the OECD. A more startling find, however, is the fact that students who use computers very frequently at school perform much worse.
“Students, Computers and Learning: Making The Connection” finds that even countries that have invested heavily in information and communication technologies (ICT) for education have seen no noticeable improvement in their performances in PISA results for reading, mathematics or science. To assess their digital skills, the test required students in 31 countries and economies* to use a keyboard and mouse to navigate texts by using tools like hyperlinks, browser button or scrolling, in order to access information, as well as make a chart from data or use on-screen calculators. Top performers were Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong-China, Japan, Canada and ShanghaiChina. This reflects closely their performances in the 2012 print-reading test, suggesting that many of the skills essential for online navigation can also be taught and learned using standard, analogue reading techniques. According to a recent Common Sense Media study, the percentage of children ages eight and under who’ve used a mobile device nearly doubled from 2011 to 2013, from 38 percent to 72 percent. And about two in five children under the age of two have used a mobile device. Findings like the ones outlined by Common Sense suggest the need for schools to start
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teaching good digital citizenship to students at a very young age – and Ribble and many others believe that students should learn these skills throughout the K-12 curriculum. But that isn’t happening in many schools. “When we teach digital citizenship as a one-off event like a presentation or an assembly, everybody gets all hyped up – and then it disappears over time,” he said.“But if we embed it into the curriculum, that’s when it sticks.” Ribble, the chair of Int’l Society for Technology in Education ISTE’s digital citizenship PLN and the author of Digital Citizenship in schools outlines nine essential elements of digital citizenship that every student should know. Digital access: Full electronic participation in society, which includes helping to make sure everyone has equal access to technology and understands the limitations and drawbacks when this access is withheld. Digital commerce: How to be effective consumers in a new digital economy, and be
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able to make smart, well-informed decisions relating to buying and downloading materials online. Digital communication: How to make appropriate decisions when faced with so many different digital communication options, such as when (and how) to send an email versus a text message or casual social media connection. Digital literacy: “Learners must be taught how to learn in a digital society,” Ribble writes. That includes how to use various technologies and internet applications and how to use that technology effectively—such as searching for, evaluating, and curating information. It also goes beyond learning how to use today’s technology. Good digital citizens should be able to pick up new skills as needed. Digital etiquette: More than just being able to recognize inappropriate behavior, good digital citizens should know how to act appropriately online. Digital law: How to use technology in an ethical manner—such as not hacking into others’ information, downloading music illegally, plagiarizing, sending spam, or stealing someone’s identify. Digital rights and responsibilities: Digital citizens should consider that there is, essentially, a virtual Bill of Rights protecting everyone online. Thus, issues such as privacy, free speech, and so on apply to every digital user. Digital health and wellness: How to guard against the inherent dangers of technology, and practice eye safety and sound ergonomics while
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avoiding repetitive stress syndrome, and psychological issues, like internet addiction. Digital security: Good digital citizens should employ electronic precautions to guarantee safety, such as creating secure passwords, not sharing passwords, backing up data, antivirus protection, and surge control. Adapted from The 9 essential elements of digital citizenship By Dennis Pierce September 24th, 2015 Source: eschoolnews.com
10 things all great online educators do By Barbara A. Popp October 8th, 2015 Virtual education has become more and more widespread, with new online schools popping up regularly and brick-and-mortar institutions adding a blended component. With that in mind, certain strategies, tips, and guidelines have been proven to help instructors begin what can seem like an overwhelming task – teaching a course without ever even needing to physically see her students. Develop a strong classroom presence. Whether it’s multiple times a week or every day, using communication tools such as discussion boards or announcements will help keep students from feeling isolated. Taking part in class discussions by consistently asking leading questions, extending student thinking, and contributing relevant, instructive subject matter expertise will build a strong foundation for collaboration and engagement. Discussion boards encourage critical and creative thinking and supports students in their own reflections and inquiries. Boards also allow students to get to know each other personally and intellectually. 145
Encourage substantive feedback from students, to students. Don’t let students get used to the notion of“one post”as an acceptable standard. If they don’t receive feedback from the teacher saying otherwise, or if they receive one short “good job” post to a comment, they tend to start thinking of their contributions as individual notes to the teacher, instead of as contributions to a whole-classroom discussion. Equally important is to encourage students to respond to each other’s comments or to ask questions about what they have posted. Check for questions frequently and provide timely feedback on progress. Teachers should access their courses and monitor discussions daily and respond as quickly as 146
possible to students’ questions, requests for review, submitted work, and other posts, even if it’s to just acknowledge receiving it, with an answer coming later. Be mindful of tone, modeling respectful behavior for students. Teachers should phrase comments and responses carefully and be noticeably helpful and supportive; comments can be misinterpreted when students can’t see facial expressions. Teachers should address students by name and sign all posts. This models what students are expected to do. Help students develop time management and organizational skills.Virtual students often choose to take an online course because they assume it will provide more flexibility for their
busy schedules. They will need to know what is expected of them so that they can organize their time to meet course requirements. This increased time management responsibility for the learner also means that there is an increased organization responsibility on the teacher. Prepare syllabus and assignment due dates carefully and well in advance so that students know what to expect and when. A consistent format, with weekly checklists and rubrics that the teachers monitor can prove effective. Don’t overload your students with material. Many online courses aren’t broken down into manageable pieces. If you deliver too much content in one sitting you have to work very hard to get the learner to be willing to accept
your attempts to reinforce the material. By breaking up your course into smaller, separate modules you make it easier for students to retain knowledge and pay better attention to your lesson. Establish good course practices. A good course might have a “capstone project” that all the course activities build toward. Instead of just reading and writing weekly assignments from a book, students read and write in service of completing a larger project. A good course teacher provides annotations to all the websites she or he asks the student to visit. This provides an advanced organizer to students — a preview of what’s to come – so they know why they’ve been sent to each site, and what some of the pitfalls might be when they get there. Make sure students can move easily between navigation and instruction. Clear, precise distinctions should be made in all instructions. Before students leave a document, they need know where to go next after completing the work you have just assigned. Present material in different ways. Understand how to engage learners of different styles, presenting material in multiple ways. Considering using both synchronous and asynchronous activities, which helps provide a good balance of activities. Engage learners in more collaborative and reflective activities; those that include real-time interactive brainstorming and sharing are often just as effective as those that require students to think, plan, write, and summarize. While the day-to-day instruction is just one facet of online learning programs, administrators should consider these points when offering virtual programs: Online programs should be multifaceted for greater student voice and choice. Insist that your online program offer many unique elective offerings and a vast array of AP courses (and don’t overlook credit recovery options, either!) This gives a student a way to “personalize” their education and allows them to discover and choose what most interests them. Make sure teachers have the best training available Their online teaching and training helps inform their own local, face-to-face instruction. Source: eschoolnews.com 147
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