Head Start 2014 by Jason Verhoven

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EDITORIAL

Friends, thank you for cheering me on in all that I do!

Dear Reader, It gives me great pleasure to present to you the third edition of the Head Start handbook. I have not only updated information on the most sought after edu destinations and tools to make learning fun but also attempted to showcase various careers through the eyes of a diverse set of well wishers who have shared their insights and perspective on their chosen career. I have also included a section on financial planning for both parents and students, and a section on Educational Fairs so that you can make the most of it. While writing this book, I have discovered that when we set out to do a good deed, well wishers, whatever their commitments, wherever they may be, support us in our mission. So, to all the well wishers who shared their views, one big thank you! The young adults reading this book will definitely benefit from your career perspective. I am extremely grateful to Deepak, Jason, Merwin, my mother, brother, husband, son, parents of advisees, well wishers from Stella, WCC and Ladies @3, who have truly supported my efforts and believed in me.

I found a fascinating new theory put forth by Cal Newport that will reassure those of you who are yet to find your passion. He states that, “There is no special passion waiting for you to discover. Passion is something that is cultivated.” He has put forth this equation: (curiosity + engagement) x time = passion. This theory is far removed from the concepts we have been led to believe over a long period of time. So find passion in whatever you are doing today, no matter what you do. Take up tutoring, volunteering, mentoring, writing or any activity to help others and to make a difference. Even just an hour or two at a time, thinking of someone other than ourselves, makes a huge difference in us. Explore your options; discover your interests, get involved, socialize with like minded individuals, hone your skills and passion will automatically come knocking at your door. I speak from personal experience. All the very best!

Rema Menon V

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CONTENTS

CAREER QUEST CAREER PERSPECTIVE

10 16

WORKFORCE PLANNING STUDY REVEALS SKILLS IN TOP DEMAND BY EMPLOYERS IN INDIA ACCREDITATION

30 32

Signature Media LLC P.O. Box 49784. Dubai, UAE

CAREER SPECIALISATIONS PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Deepak Chandiramani Email: Deepak@signaturemediame.com Jason Verhoven Email: jason@signaturemediame.com

FINANCIAL PLANNING MONEY MATTERS!

Counselling Point P. O. Box 103926. Dubai, UAE Tel: 04 3978846 Email: counsel@eim.ae

Exclusive Sales Agent

EDUCATIONAL DESTINATIONS

Design and Layout by Design Bucket Email: merw@designbucket.me

Editorial Counselling Point: Rema Menon P. O. Box 103926. Dubai, UAE Tel: 04 3978846 Email: counsel@eim.ae

Printed by United Printing Press (UPP) – Abu Dhabi Contributor’s opinions do not necessarily reﬂect those of the publisher or editor and while every precaution has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this handbook is accurate and timely, no liability is accepted by them for errors or omissions, however caused. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Expat Int’l and Counselling Point and cannot be reproduced in any form without written permission.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNITED KINGDOM UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CANADA AUSTRALIA MALAYSIA GERMANY SWITZERLAND INDIA NEW ZEALAND SINGAPORE

52 60 66 74 82 90 98 104 110 118 122

EDUCATION UAE U.A.E SCHOOLS

126

EDUCATION DISSEMINATION TO GO OR NOT TO... FOR STUDIES ABROAD MAKE THE MOST OF EDUCATION FAIRS EDU TECHNOLOGY MAKING LEARNING FUN

135 137

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Career Quest

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n The child of today is spoilt for choice – be it in the modes of entertainment, cuisines, dresses, gadgets or careers. Especially in the case of careers, the changing pattern of world demographics and rapid advancements in science has turned certain unknown ﬁelds into fullﬂedged careers in their own right. While money and stability are important, many children today are basing their choice more out of a sense of purpose and aptitude rather than just following the herd, and are opting to tread the lesser known paths.

n In 10 to 20 years’ time the chances are that our jobs – and the way we work – will be very different, if predictions by leading futurologists are any guide.Today’s money spinning vocations – such as finance, banking, law or management – may not remain the best paid jobs of the future. Job titles that do not exist now, such as a “vertical farmer” or a “body part maker”, could be mainstream professions, in much the same way that social media consultants have emerged in the past five years.

n James Bellini, a leading futurologist, proposed the idea of an elderly wellbeing consultant, who specialises in personalised care for older patients, or a memory

augmentation surgeon who helps counter memory loss. He also saw big changes in farming as food resources became scarce, with genetically modiﬁed crops becoming common and crops grown vertically in areas resembling multistorey car parks to save space. n Ian Pearson, a futurologist who wrote ‘You Tomorrow’, sees job growth in the ﬁeld of augmented reality, where the real world is overlaid with computergenerated images. Pearson also argued that the better technology gets, the more people will have to focus on their “human skills” to survive in the workforce.“As computers get more intelligent, the work that will take over will require human skills like leadership, motivation and compassion,” he said.

n Karen Moloney, a futurologist and business psychologist, agreed. “The world will divide into those who understand technology and those who don’t,” she said. Moloney suggested job titles such as a haptic programmer, who uses the science of touch to develop products and services, and, more controversially, a child programmer. “If we continue to avail ourselves of what science makes possible, in 30 years’ time you could sit down and in theory design the child you want,” she said. “It is biologically feasible, if

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ethically abhorrent. Some of these futuristic careers are: • Digital architect Designs a selection of virtual buildings for advertisers and retailers to market their products • Home carer Helps care for elderly people in their own homes. • Elderly wellbeing consultant Specialises in holistic and personalised care for the elderly. • Body part maker Creates living body parts for athletes and soldiers. • Nanomedic Creates very small implants for health monitoring and selfmedication. • Vertical farmer Farms crops upwards rather than across flat fields to save space. • Waste data handler Disposes of your data waste in a responsible way. • Climate controller Manages and modifies weather patterns. • Avatar manager Designs and manages holograms of virtual people. • Memory augmentation surgeon Helps preserve and improve memory in an ageing population. • Time broker Handles time banked by customers in lieu of money for goods or services. • Personal branding manager Develops and manages your personal brand. • Child designer Designs offspring that fit parental requirements. • Omnipotence delimiter Reins in our belief that anything is possible and we are all powerful. • Personal medical apothecary Provides a bespoke range of alternative therapies. • Haptic programmer Develops technology around the science of touch, such as gloves that make your hand feel warm, or wrapped in velvet.

n In the U.S.A., industries and occupations related to health care, personal care and social assistance, and construction are projected to have the fastest job growth as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Of the 22 major occupational groups, employment in healthcare support occupations is expected to grow most rapidly followed by personal care and services occupations and healthcare practitioners and technical occupations. However, the office and administrative support occupations group, with projected slower than average growth of 10.3 percent, is expected to add the largest number of new jobs (2.3 million). The four detailed occupations expected to add the most employment are registered nurses, retail salespersons, home health aides, and personal care aides. All are expected to grow faster than the average of 14.3 percent. More than onefourth of the projected fastest growing occupations are related to construction. But employment in most construction occupations is not expected to reach pre recession levels. Nonagriculture wage and salary employment, which accounts for more than 9 in 10 jobs in the economy, is projected to expand. About 5.0 million new jobs 25 percent of all new jobs are expected in the three detailed industries projected to add the most jobs: construction, retail trade, and offices of health practitioners. Seven of the 20 industries gaining the most jobs are in the health care and social assistance sector, and five are in the professional and business services sector. The 20 detailed industries projected to lose the largest numbers of jobs are primarily in the manufacturing sector.

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n The Indian economy operates to its own set of dynamics due to its youthful population, increase in standard of living of the burgeoning middle class and the pronounced rural bias. Some of the popular careers in future are likely to be: • Analytics Professionals: Analytics is the profession to look out for in the coming years. It is a diverse field that spans various industries starting from healthcare, banks, ecommerce and marketing to IT and biotechnology. Analytics professionals basically propose, analyze, and review different methodologies & systems that help business firms to streamline their organizational structure, and increase profitability in the market. • R&D Professionals: India is being increasingly viewed as a R&D hub and several organizations are investing in R&D centers across India. R&D professionals are engineering technicians who use their knowledge to assist engineers and other scientists to create, design and construct new products that will be then marketed and sold to the consumers or specific industries. R&D professionals are also responsible for testing and conducting experiments on the product, bring together the data of all the outcomes to spot if the product is operational, and will be profitable to the general public. These professionals are hired in a variety of industries which includes aerospace engineering, environmental engineering, civil engineering, electromechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical engineering industrial engineering and more. • Aviation Professionals: The commercial airline sector has seen a boost in the recent past, due to which there is a constant demand for qualified pilots, stewards, ground staff, air hostesses, and other professions related to this sector. Attractive pay, fancy tag of a

glamorous occupation and the chance to travel extensively is alluring to most individuals. • Chartered Accountant: As we steer into an age of business innovations and cutting edge technologies, the need for financial and commercial masterminds in the big corporate houses is increasing at a rapid pace in India.The job description of a chartered accountant includes strategic forecasting, financial structuring, funds managing, and much more. The glorious pay package, benefits of working with top corporate, commercial and industrial houses, and the bonus that comes along with being an executive have made this profession one of the most sought after career options. • Interior Designer: The days of contractors designing the interiors of a house are long gone. Increasing number of Indians are hiring specialized interior designers to add a touch of glamour, style, convenience and even eco friendly features to their homes. If you sense that you have a designer inside you, you should definitely consider this hot and upcoming career. The profession also gives you immense flexibility to work as a freelancer, have your own company, or work for an organization. • Event Manager: This career is for individuals who are good at delegating work, like to build contacts, and don’t mind spending a lot of time out on the road. Whether they are corporate parties, events, seminars, concerts or cultural festivals, India Inc is abuzz with bigger and better events. And the need for professional and well managed event managers / management companies is growing in leaps and bounds. Wedding planners are also part of this tribe, though more specialized. V.K Menon

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ADVERTORIAL

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career perspective Niraj M Mottwani – Printing Technologist What's your job title? Currently I’m self employed in the ﬁeld of Advertising & Marketing. My role is looking after production and marketing. Before this I was employed in Concept Advertising as production manager where I gained work experience of the local market.

things. Sometimes it can be challenging to get clients to invest in advertising in order to reach their target audience as clients usually want to see statistics for the advertisements' potential reach. Unfortunately, those numbers are quite difficult to find. Did you know what you wanted to become in High school? I wanted to grow in the field of printing as it was an established family business. When I joined the printing industry, I got to understand different client requirements and diversified scope of printing in the field of Advertising. Being more inclined on the technical production & planning, I chose to make my career in Advertising & Production for a better future.

What are your qualiﬁcations? I have done an Engineering Diploma in Printing Technology and later did some specialized courses in digital designing & business management.

Do you have a message for young people? Advertising industry has a huge potential. In advertising one has a diverse range of jobs to choose from, to suit one’s inclination, talent and personality. The choice of working in an organization that manufactures certain goods or provides certain services, to look after the advertising of these goods or services would demand a particular kind of skill and interests.

What do you most like about your job? Advertising and Marketing ﬁeld is very diversified and creative. This includes – abovetheline, below the line & throughout the line. We are involved in belowtheline advertising which includes production & installations of all forms of indoor& outdoor advertising. We have to think out of the box and give innovative concepts to our clients regularly. Moreover, we have to bring constant changes and improvements in our ideas and services as per market requirements & trends.

One can choose to work in an organization that creates advertising and distributes advertisements through diﬀerent media. In such an organization there is a wide variety of jobs calling for diﬀerent types of skills and creativity. Many talented young people seek a career in advertising, not merely a job.

What are some of the challenges? Advertising provides a lot of opportunities for creativity but at times, clients are hesitant to try new

Lovely Raghunath Dietitian What is your job title? Presently work as Senior Nutritionist with Healthtrendz, the healthy meal delivery initiative of Dubai World Trade Centre.

What are your qualiﬁcations? M.Sc. in Food Science & Nutrition, Licensed Dietician under the Dubai Health Authority.

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career perspective What do you like most about your job? Love the fact that I am heading a business unit which oﬀers the ultimate health management tool. The brand ‘Healthtrendz’ is a healthy meal delivery initiative where the clients’ needs from shopping to cooking of healthy portion controlled meals are met. Absolutely enjoy my involvement in all areas from management, marketing, operations which are part of developing the brand….Its’ pure happiness to come across so many people and it is interesting to communicate and clear their fears and doubts.

doctor on what foods are to be included / excluded.  With the advent of internet, everybody you meet is a selfproclaimed Dietician / Nutritionist…it gets a little more difficult convincing clients who have done their ‘home work’…but the challenge is interesting ! Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? I never enjoyed Mathematics, so after my 10th grade in Dubai, I opted for Home Science. However this became the turning point...the course was so interesting that I decided my profession would be something related to food. I am passionate about what I do and it sure makes my ‘work’ real fun! Do you have a message for young people? Listen to your heart…be realistic…find out what you are good at/ what’s your priority...anything you take up requires your time and effort…its’ not going to be easy but the journey is less tiring if its’ something you enjoy.

What are some of the challenges? The general perception that only doctors are qualiﬁed to suggest meal plans is a big challenge. It does irk me when clients ask me to check with the

Elvis Siby – Trader What is your job title? Junior Trader (Physical) at E3 Energy DMCC. E3 Energy DMCC is an oil and gas trading company dealing with niche markets in the petroleum and petrochemical industry, providing trade in future market, both speculative and risk management.

2011 BSc (Hons) Management (Accounting and Finance) from the University of Manchester What do you like most about your job? Every day is a new adventure. The dynamic nature of the market always brings about a new experience. What are some of the challenges? Most of the time, there will be several questions to which you do not have the answers. Nevertheless, the job involves a lot of learning, researching and selfinitiative. Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? I wanted to become an Accountant while I was in high school. With this view in mind, I chose to

What are your qualiﬁcations? 2012 MSc Finance with Behavioural Science from the University of Warwick

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career perspective undergo a Management degree specializing in Accounting. However, my time at university opened a world of other possibilities and I realized I saw myself enjoying other ﬁelds.

grades up but they place value on other attributes. Engage yourself in activities that beneﬁt the society. You will be pleasantly surprised at what you will learn too. Also, look out for courses that will help you both, at a professional and personal level. There are plenty of societies/ clubs that you can get involved in and you may ﬁnd this worthwhile. Your goals may change as you gain new experiences, so I hope that you will seek to focus on your personal growth.

Do you have a message for young people? The top schools are not only looking for the top students; they seek wellrounded individuals who can ﬁt in today’s world. Sure, you need to keep your

Komal Chandiramani – Learning Support Teacher What's your job title? I am working as Head of the Department, and Learning Support Teacher at Emirates International School Jumeirah since 2007. Before this I worked as a school counsellor for 5 years & that's when I felt the need to diversify into the field of learning difficulties as there was a shortage of trained professionals in this field.

them grow. For students with special educational needs I have learnt to celebrate the smallest of their accomplishments. I most definitely relish my summer holidays as much as my students & use it to create strong family bonds. What are some of the challenges? In my classes I have students with different ability levels, who learn in different ways & have different personalities. Differentiated instruction & individualized teaching is a challenge for all teachers. Another challenge is to work with students having low self esteem & low motivation for learning. Bridging the gap between School & home & establishing a positive, supportive relationship with the parents in an important area which can be a challenge sometimes.

What are your qualifications? I have done my Bachelors in Child Development & a Masters in Social Welfare specialising in Child welfare. Later on I did a Post Graduate Diploma in teaching students with learning difficulties from Hornsby U.K. & a Certificate program in teaching students with Dyscalculia. I have also done a course in Orton Gillingham approach to teaching phonics in a multisensory way.

Did you know what you wanted to become in High school? Since I was in High School, I had always wanted to work in the area of child welfare & hence specialised in Social work. Once I arrived in Dubai, I started working as a school counselor.

What do you most like about your job? The job of a learning support teacher is exciting & rewarding. It provides a platform to connect with inquisitive young minds & bring a positive change in their lives. You play a key role in developing their basic learning skills & get the opportunity to see

At that point I felt limited working with students with learning diﬃculties, as there were very few professionals to help them. Hence I decided to specialise further in the area of learning diﬃculties.

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career perspective Do you have a message for young people? My message to young people is study towards your passion & work towards your dreams & goals no matter what comes in your way. With hard work & determination you will go a long way to achieve success. Share your ideas with the world, continue your good work & you will reach your goal for sure. Being a learning support teacher is challenging, but also rewarding. If you like challenge, love working with children & have the patience you will

absolutely gain a lot of satisfaction from being aSp Ed teacher. I would definitely like to see more of our young generation getting into this field so many of our students with learning difficulties can achieve their maximum potential in spite of their learning diversities. Special education is my calling and I will retire loving my job as much as I do now.

Jim Sabastian – Green Engineer What is your job title? Managing Director, Ecoval Trading LLC, Dubai

the leading players in this ﬁeld. As suppliers of heat pumps and solar water heaters, we have completed numerous projects of a commercial, residential and institutional nature. We have also done the largest solar installation in the Middle East.

What are your qualiﬁcations? B. Tech (Mechanical Engg.), MBA

What are some of the challenges? Sustaining the motivation levels in the midst of challenges & downturns. To educate the clients regarding the beneﬁts of solar energy. I would say it is vital we all play our part in reducing carbon emissions.By simple measures and actions in our own lives, we can help achieve global sustainability

What do you like most about your job? Doing what I learnt about, recognizing my forte and the ability to make my own decisions are the biggest beneﬁts. Most of the time we need to prepare calculations on the energy saved by the client using our green products such as Solar Heaters & Heat Pumps. It is satisfying to see clients save upto 6070% energy. It is now mandatory in Dubai & Abu Dhabi to use green products in most new buildings. Ecoval is considered a market leader in heating, chilling and solar energy solutions in UAE. Starting oﬀ with a modest beginning in 2002, we have managed to establish ourselves as one of

Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? Yes, I always wanted to be an Engineer. Do you have a message for young people? Focus on your core competence, back your instincts. There is no substitute for hard work. Be sincere and honest. If you can get people to trust you, one can move mountains.

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career perspective Ludmilla Weber – Specialist in sports Science What is your job title? Physical Trainer, Corporate Trainer and Personal Coach, Time to move!

athlete – are not willing to invest time and money in learning about the Quality of movement (biomechanics, body awareness) before they go for Quantity (weight control, body shape, top sports results…) Too many people are not willing to take proactive selfresponsibility for their bodies and their health. They prefer to consume passive, corrective, reparative, medical solutions.

What are your qualiﬁcations? Master of Sport Science, Physical Trainer and Physical Therapist

Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? Being a top gymnast for the Swiss Junior National Team and later a passionate practitioner of all kind of sports and dance styles there was olny one thing in my school life: body and movement!!!

What do you like most about your job? There are endlass possibilities to apply my knowledge and experience. I teach enthusiasts in fitness, sports and dance, top athletes and health allied professionals. I consult companies and public institutions in corporate health, fitness and efficiency. I cofounded and spread the Swiss concept “School in motion” for more body awareness and motion in school life. I lecture this topic at the Zurich University of Teacher Education and other Institutes. I published books and write articles. For more information see www.ludmillaweber.ch

Do you have a message for young people? • Take care of your bodies continuously and with growing awareness. It will serve your healthy mind and happy soul perfectly. • Always integrate new knowledge, methods and experiences into your personal and professional life. • When teaching others, embody who you are and what you do – be authentic, genuine, natural! • Quality before Quantity. • Less is more.

What are some of the challenges? Too many people from a couch potato to a top

R.M. Menon – Marine Insurance Job Title Managing Director World Wide Claims Services, Dubai Qualiﬁcations M.A. (English), Fellow of Institute of Shipping, Mumbai, Associate of Insurance Institute of India.

Marine Insurance and related claims and incidents. The work is varied and interesting cargo claims, collision, oil spill, injury /death, charter party disputes etc. There is a satisfaction when a job is successfully completed. We are the only company licensed for this kind of work in UAE and hence enjoy a unique position.

What I like most about my job My work is mostly related to shipping. I deal with

Some of the challenges I face I have to deal with various claims and incidents

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career perspective arising from shipping activities. I have to negotiate and recover cargo claims which may range from say $ 1000 to more than one million dollars. I have to tackle complex issues arising from collision between ships or pollution from oil leakage. Besides there are situations like General Average and Salvage which are very complicated. There could be accidents resulting in injuries and even death. The ship could be detained or arrested as a result of these claims.

relevant International Conventions and applicable Local Laws. Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in school During my school / college days, I never envisaged myself going into shipping. It is fate that soon after I ﬁnished college, I received an oﬀer to join a Shipping Co. and there was no turning back after that. Do you have a message for young people? Keep an open mind when choosing your career. Whatever work you do, always try to think “out of the box”. Learn from your mistakes, leave them behind and move forward.

To be on top of the job I have to be familiar with

Rashmi Menon Teach for India NGO What is your job title? Fellow, Teach For India

who wants to work in education, policy, or anything related to development; an experience such as this is vital.

What are your qualiﬁcations? I graduated from Fergusson College, Pune with a B.A. in Economics

What are some of the challenges? The diﬃculties are those that are faced by anybody working in the social sector– resistance from almost every interest group that you are trying to work for, a lack of resources and generally dealing with the demands of facilitating learning in such an unfavourable environment.

What do you like most about your job? My job is a two – year commitment I am a full time teacher in a government school in a low – income high – needs community. It allows me to do what I am most passionate about, as well as learn constantly. That I am completely in charge of the learning and progress of a group of children is both wonderful and scary. I believe that if you can successfully manage and motivate a class of children to succeed, particularly in an environment such as this, you can do pretty much anything. For anybody

My biggest challenge is being the leader in my class where my students are several grade levels below, where my responsibilities are to bring them to the learning level where they are supposed to be at and investing all the stakeholders (students, parents, and the school) in my goals. Having said that, due to the challenges that I encountered in the classroom, school, and

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career perspective community, my learning curve has been very steep and I have gained some valuable skills.

functioning with the best of intentions, but have little emphasis on data and measurable impact. ‘Teach For India’ is one of the few non – proﬁts in our country which works on actual empirical evidence, and allows for a lot of personal and professional development.

Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? By the time I reached high school, I knew I wanted to work in the social and development sector. However, in India, there are a huge number of NGOs (around one for every 400 people), which may be

So, applying to ‘Teach For India’ and working in education, has been what I wanted to do ever since I got to college.

Kamlini Jassim Speech Therapist What is your job title? I joined al Noor Training Centre in 1993 as Senior Speech Therapist. In 2000, I was promoted to the head of the department. In the reorganization at the Centre in 2010, I was made Coordinator of Co Curricular Services, and continued to head of the Department of Communication Language and Speech till June 2013.

to interact with the parents of children with special needs cope with the daily challenges of dealing with a child with special needs. However, there are also rewards as the children achieve so much through the concerted team effort of parents and interventionists. Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? I always wanted to do a professional course but not engineering or medicine. While I was interested in the medical field, I have always loved teaching and remember playing 'school' with the neighbourhood children. When I heard about the speech and hearing course, I was immediately drawn to it as it is a meeting point for many fields of study.

What are your qualiﬁcations? I have done my Bachelors and Masters in Speech and Hearing from the University of Mysore, India. In 2005 I completed my MEd in Autism from the University of Birmingham, UK.

Do you have a message for young people? There are so many career opportunities available that the young people of today have a bewildering choice. It is very important that you have access to information about different careers. In addition, I think that it is very important that you talk to people in different walks of life to learn more. Talking to people will give you a perspective that is difficult to glean from just reading an article. It is also important that people remain in a ‘learning' mode even after they complete their formal education. Another thing that I feel is important is to always have goals, short term and long term, to give direction to your life. Once you have clarity on what you want toy achieve, you will find a way to realize your dreams.

What do you like most about your job? Communication is a very important skill that directly impacts the quality of one's life. I work on developing the communication skills of children with special needs. Special teaching techniques are required to help them achieve these skills. I love working with children with special needs and helping them reach their potential in leading as full a life as possible. What are some of the challenges? There are many challenges. It is emotionally diﬃcult

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career perspective Ranjit Narayan Shipping Industry What is your job title? Vice President, Trade Management

Decision making in deploying the right hardware Different trade lanes and its varying properties ranging from customized service patterns, business controls and related activities. Interaction with people from different nationalities. Team building and creation of specific customer service delivery pattern

What are your qualiﬁcations? B.Sc Graduate with a diploma in Business Process ReEngineering from IIM, Ahmedabad.

Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? To be honest,"Yes" but that is not what actually happened. My career and life took a diﬀerent turn and I have to admit that I stumbled upon my current industry.

What do you like most about your job? I have been working in the Shipping industry for the past 20 years. The industry and the companies I worked in gave me multiple opportunities to work in diﬀerent departments varying from cargo management to end Finance under various capacities. It also gave me a fortuity to live in diﬀerent continents. The job is very challenging with the market dynamics of commodity trading and maritime industry.

Do you have a message for young people? The younger generation YOU are the future. You can understand the world, analyze and drive change more than what the previous generations could. I would urge you to keep moving in whichever direction you can, because the chances of one stumbling on an opportunity is much more when you move than while sitting idle. So keep moving and keep thinking...the world is yours to shape!

What are some of the challenges? Market Dynamics International economic ﬂuctuations and its impact on cargo movements

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career perspective Fadwa Al Qasem Artist & Writer What is your job title? Tabeerista. Actually, I am partner, cofounder and creative director of Tabeer, a company whose core business is bilingual content creation and development as well as related translation, design and desktop publishing. I wanted to move away from the general trend of calling myself CEO or director, mainly because I am passionate about what I do and my work is about that passion rather than the title. Tabeerista, a lover of Tabeer, a follower of Tabeer, seemed better suited to my personal mindset and approach to my work. It's also a great icebreaker at meetings. When we created Tabeer, we wanted to create an atmosphere that is relaxed and comfortable because your work is personal. It is part of you, part of your day, part of your life.

Apart from this, I am also a selftaught mixed media artist and my work is available with Muse Artz at Times Square in Dubai. I design jewelry and love photography. What do you like most about your job? That it is my own company. That I can make my own decisions. That I have created something that also brings income to other people. That it is about something of my favourite things; writing and languages. What are some of the challenges? The pressure, the responsibility especially for the livelihood of others. Growing the company while trying to maintain some personal freedom to follow other pursuits. Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? Not really; I mean not so speciﬁcally. But I have always loved languages I studied French and Spanish, in addition to my Arabic and English. I have also always loved art. In the end, you can only be true to your core interests.

What are your qualifications? Officially, I have a BA in English Literature from London, UK. But I have done so many things and taken many courses on various topics. I took jewelry design courses, I studied languages (French and Spanish), and I reclaimed my Arabic language as an adult. Most of my formal education was in English and I never really learned Arabic grammar. I only started reading Arabic literature 10 or 12 years ago. Since then, I authored and published two collections of short stories in Arabic. I also published my stories in numerous publications around the Middle East. I have translated books from Arabic into English, one of which was my own work. My English short stories were published in two anthologies, one in the UK and the other in the USA. I also teach Art Journaling and I'm taking an Art Therapy course to support my efforts in this field.

Do you have a message for young people? Don't be in too much of a hurry to decide what it is that you want to do with your life. Older people always try to push you into one career or another. Nothing is written in stone unless you yourself have a very clear idea of what you want. I suggest taking two majors, one "practical" and one for your heart. I also suggest you explore by reading up on careers, by trying job shadowing and internships, speaking to people about what they do. Explore. Experiment. Keep learning. Consider every job you take as an opportunity to build up a set of skills that will be ready for you once you reach the point where you know exactly what you want to do.

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career perspective Umika P Web content developer and Journalist What is your job title? Assistant Producer for Al Jazeera English online www.aljazeera. com. I work on the news desk, produce content for the homepage such as breaking news, write feature articles, edit stories, and create photo galleries as well as other multimedia content.

information and to be a part of recording history, literally. What are some of the challenges? A lot of the news we tend to focus on, especially because we are based on the Middle East, are about the current upheavals in the region. So of course the civil war in Syria is one of our main priorities. It is a bit diﬃcult sometimes to come across stories of children being killed or seeing uncensored images. This is why most journalists have to have a tough shell and become desensitised to the news we cover. Sometime it becomes a challenge when trying to empathise with a story. That is the nature of news.

What are your qualiﬁcations? I have a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and Journalism summa cum laude. I have worked at various media organisations. Some of my internship experiences include Bush Radio in Cape Town, South Africa, The National newspaper in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? I always knew I had a knack for writing and the English language. But I was not interested in solely working as a writer. I wanted my words to have an impact or some meaning or usefulness to the general population. Plus I needed an engaging environment to work in and I knew if I was left to my own devices I would get lazy. I also like being informed and having a sense of what is going on in the world. The news is something that seemed to be a perfect ﬁt for me and that's when I decided at the end of high school that I wanted to become a journalist.

What do you like most about your job? First thing is, I love working for the web. I absolutely believe it is the future, not just in the way we go about our daily lives but also the way we deliver and consume news. The medium of the web allows you to tell a story or give information on a topic, whether it is the protests at Taksim Square in Istanbul or the federal elections in Australia, in multiple ways and it combines the magic of TV, radio and print. My job at Al Jazeera involves working on the news desk. If you ever watch the channel, you'll notice that there are a lot of desks and chairs sitting close to the anchor. That is how our work is; we are right in the middle of the news and close to the action. I really like the adrenaline rush of working with news, especially breaking news and important events like election. I like how all of us in our team can bring certain knowledge of a region to the news at hand. It is quite an amazing thing to be surrounded by

Do you have a message for young people? Instead of the usual "follow your dreams" and "you can do it" catchphrases, I would say that just be open. Try a little bit of everything. College and well life in general, is all about sampling diﬀerent experiences. You'll know at the end of the day what you like and don't like. Also, the best advice my mentor gave me was keep your head down and do your work and I truly believe in it to this day. Stop looking at what everyone else around you is doing and just do what you need to do. You need to believe in yourself and help yourself before you can be of any use to the world.

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career perspective

Ivy Siby Advertising What is your job title? Planning Analyst Trainee

a child growing up I wanted to become a doctor but I realized when I was in the 12th grade that I wanted to do something that I would enjoy doing for the next 30 years of my life.

What are your qualiﬁcations? MSc Strategic Marketing from Imperial College London, UK BA (Hons) Advertising and Marketing from Lancaster University, UK BTEC Diploma in Graphic Design, Loughborough University, UK

I followed my creative instincts and enrolled for a foundation year in graphic design. Though I loved graphic design, I still felt a bit incomplete. I then moved on to Marketing which allowed me to use my skills from graphic design while giving me to chance to think about problems from a strategic viewpoint.

What do you like most about your job? Since I work in the advertising industry, I love how relaxed the work environment is. Everyone is quite friendly and we function as a family unit. From a work perspective, I get to learn something new about consumers and their shopping behavior, which is then, used to create suitable and target advertising campaigns. Every day is never the same as you are constantly learning something new and meeting new people. It gives you the opportunity to network and get a fresh perspective on things.

Do you have a message for young people? I believe it is ok not to know what you want to do when you’re growing up as I was highly confused when I was growing up. Often times people present you with choices of becoming a doctor, accountant, engineer or lawyer but you must keep in mind that there are a lot of jobs out there and life isn’t conﬁned to these four choices.

What are some of the challenges? Sometimes the work can extend into late hours, which can take its toll on spending quality time with the family but since the workplace becomes the second home, everybody stays late, till when the work is completed.

People have diﬀerent motivations for taking up a career pathway. Some want success, money, status etc others, just want to be happy and love what they do. At the end of the day you must remind yourself that you need to be highly passionate about something and work towards it whether it being photographer, dentist, etc.

Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? Frankly speaking, I did not know what I wanted to become or the industry that I wanted to work in. As

Keep your mind focused and open to new possibilities. There is something new that you can learn every day. Once you graduate, it is not the end of the learning process, only the beginning!

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career perspective Tea Taster Sai A career in Tea Tasting is something that may not even be in the periphery of the career dreams of students. In fact most children would not have heard of this profession.

estates & regions and select the teas required for the blend after considering the various taste, colour& aroma parameters. This is a highly skilled activity and one which no machine (at least for the present) can duplicate. Four out of the five senses are put into use on the job (auditory being exempted). The taster first looks at the dry leaf (or dust), looks for the evenness of the colour/complexion, the fibre content etc; he runs the leaf through his fingers to check out the ‘make’ of the tea. Next he looks at the infused leaf to check out whether it is bright or dull, coppery or green etc. Then he looks at the cup of made tea, checks it out for its colour, sparkle and brightness. Finally, he picks up the cup (or takes a large spoonful) and tastes the tea and puts down his observations. Of course, needless to say, in the whole exercise olfactory/gustatory are the most and of equal importance, with visual coming next followed by tactile which plays a peripheral role.

What is tea tasting? To know about tea tasting, one has to know a little about tea in general (tea here refers to black tea which is the most well known and consumed type – as against green tea, white tea etc). The common cuppa, one of the most widely consumed hot beverages, is made from the green leaves plucked from the tea plant/bush and manufactured into ‘made tea’ in tea factories. Tea is grown in several countries, the largest producers being India, Sri Lanka, Kenya& Indonesia. China is a major manufacturer of green tea.

Tea tasting is not something one learns in universities or schools (although, of late, a couple of ‘training institutes’ have sprung up in India – credentials uncertain). This is a vocation that is perfected by hours of ‘on the job training’ – which involves tasting cup after cup, along with senior tasters, getting to know the subtle diﬀerences. As with any subject of skill, to be a good taster one has to have a high degree of patience, perseverance and discipline. A good palate demands a fair amount of care to keep it sharp. Abstinence (from alcohol & tobacco) and avoidance of very spicy food goes a long way in doing so.

While a very simple product to the layman, tea has its own set of complexities in the form of subtle (and not so subtle) differences in taste, aroma and colour. Every region and sub region has its own taste peculiarities – in fact even within a sub region we will find differences from estate to estate. Adding to this maze is the fact that there would be taste differences from season to season within the same tea estate. The cup of tea that you drink is probably from a packet or a tea bag eg. Lipton Yellow Label. That cup would contain teas from different tea estates in different growth regions across the world, blended together to give that consistent taste (of the brand) that you are used to drinking.

Again, as with any profession, there are the good and the average. While not denying the fact that an inherent sharp palate is a great advantage, the keenness to put in those hours of hard work (that can be monotonous initially) is a vital factor in developing into a good taster.

This is where the taster plays his/her role. He or she will taste innumerable cups of tea from diﬀerent

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career perspective As far as career opportunities go, tea tasters are required by large and medium branded packet tea companies like Tetleys, Twinings etc. Tea broking houses and bigger plantation companies also require tasters. Opportunities exist in many of the tea growing (Sri Lanka, India, East Africa etc) as well are large consuming countries (India, UK, Ireland, the Middle East etc). Companies look out for enthusiastic young graduates and take them on as taster trainees. Growth prospects for tasters in these companies are pretty good. Trainees learn

various other aspects of the business (tea buying, logistics etc) apart from tasting (which of course, is central). Tasters have gone on to the highest management positions in some of these companies. Did you know you would be a tea taster when you were in high school? No. I had an uncle in the tea segment and that gave me the exposure to this fascinating ﬁeld but I never dreamt I’d become a tea taster!

Merwyn Rodrigues Advertising What is your job title? I’m an Art Director by profession.

I discovered my propensity towards the visual arts, I became certain that I would not be content doing any other job. When you choose a fairly unconventional profession like this and base your livelihood on it, you have to be prepared for the challenges and hurdles that will inevitably arise in your path to success. In my case, I was driven by my passion, which helped me in overcoming my initial challenges and brought me to where I am today.

What do you like most about your job? Being a creative person, what I like most about my job is being able to take those few words on a design brief and give them a unique visual representation by applying my own signature styling to it.

Do you have a message for young people? I think that in this day and age it’s quite difficult to be young because although the new generation has access to more resources, information and technology, on the flip side they’re also faced with increased competition and are caught up in a faster race to fit into a stereotyped package of a perfect, wellrounded person. I would advise youngsters to certainly pursue their dreams and create a financially secure future for themselves but at the same time I would ask them to get involved and experiment with multiple activities, hobbies, areas of study etc. before deciding what they want to do in life. They must invest a lot of time on thinking and rethinking about which profession works best for them as this process will empower them to achieve the optimal balance in terms of personal gratification as well as professional success.

What are some of the challenges? As with any creative profession, it is very important to give clients what they are speciﬁcally looking for and create designs that best compliment the brand. No two people will interpret an artwork with the same eye. Each person brings his or her own unique perceptions to any given design and sometimes a single design goes through multiple stages of editing, reediting, redesigning etc. before it reaches perfection. Did you know what you wanted to become when you were in high school? I must admit that I did not. Later on, however, when

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Dr. Ayoub Kazim Managing Director Education Cluster TECOM Investments

SKILLS IN TOP DEMAND BY EMPLOYERS IN INDIA Newly released ﬁgures from a groundbreaking study released by Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) the world’s only free zone dedicated to higher education – reveals the skill areas that will be in high demand by Indianbased companies over the next few years. The report, carried out in conjunction with Deloitte, also provides insights into the career preferences of prospective Indian graduates.

• Information Technology remains the top choice for students to pursue a career. • Availability of job placement opportunities is the most important factor driving university selection for students. • There is a lack of Energy and Resources related education programs and training in India.

The study is hugely helpful to Indian students, universities, and potential employers and reinforces the fact that universities need to work more closely with the employers to build an education curriculum that aligns with the needs of industry. A collaborative practice model will support the development of a competitive workforce, increase the prospects of employment for graduates and help them achieve a return on their investment.

DIAC’s Workforce Planning Study pegged the UAE as the most attractive education destination among emerging market economies, and the fourth most attractive education destination in the world beating the likes of China, Singapore and Australia. The report also revealed that: • Over the next couple of years, employers in India will be actively seeking to hire qualiﬁed candidates with the skills to work in Supply Chain Management, Freight Clearing/Forwarding, Inventory Management, Customer Service and IT Analytics Management Skills. • Apart from the technical skills, eﬀective management and communication skills and the personality to work in a team are also in demand.

DIAC, which hosts 25 academic institutions from 11 countries serving students from 125 nationalities, is already home to more than 7,000 Indian students and 4 leading Indian universities. We will continue to provide internationally recognised, highquality education to our students for many years to come. 30

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Dubai a viable alternative for the students, especially due to the shortage world recognised institutions and massive increase in the number of aspiring graduates. What puts Dubai and by proxy, DIAC, at the top of their list is the relatively low cost of living and easy access to visas when compared on a global scale and an extremely safe environment.

Over 2,400 students and 235 companies from a cross section of industries in 17 markets of Middle East and Asia (MEA) region were interviewed for the study. More than 330 Indian students participated in the study, along with a number of Indian corporates. The aim of the study was to identify workforce skills gaps that exist within emerging markets, learn how students and businesses perceive the education landscape in the MEA region and to uncover how well the UAE’s current education programmes are serving the needs of industries.

Anoop Varghese, an Indian graduate, who recently completed a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering at Manipal University at DIAC said: “Dubai offers a complete international experience – both in terms of the education on offer and the student experience. At Manipal University, unique teaching methodology as well as formal internship opportunities helped bridge the gap between academic studies and finding the right career path, as we were trained with technical and non technical experience and skills required to climb up the career ladder.”

A number of universities based in DIAC offer programmes and courses in the field of Logistics, Energy and Information Technology . In direct response to local industry demand, DIAC universities including SP Jain, Heriot Watt and Institute of Management Technology recently added 35 new programmes to their existing portfolio – with a particular focus on STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), along with tourism and hospitality.

About the DIAC Workforce Survey The survey was carried out by leading consultancy ﬁrm, Deloitte.

Emmanuel Durou, Consulting director at Deloitte Middle East stated, “We believe this report will be a stepping stone for workforce planning in the UAE and, more broadly, in the region. It highlights the importance of a coordinated approach for workforce planning, at a macro level as it is done in other markets and identiﬁes a number of initiatives at an institutional level from industry academia collaborations to apprenticeship frameworks.”

Student survey methodology: • A total of 2,415 qualified surveys targeting students and recent graduates were completed. The survey covered students and recent graduates across 17 countries obtaining perspectives on Dubai as a preferred education hub, current educational qualifications and factors influencing the selection of an educational institution. • The survey covered a wide crosssection of students across the MENA region, Levant and South Asia. The average age of respondents was 21 years and the majority of respondents are recent graduates holding bachelor degrees.

This year, DIAC witnessed record growth as University of Wollongong Dubai, Middlesex University and Amity University signiﬁcantly increased their presence at the free zone and the student numbers rose to 20,384 with a 7% increase.

Corporate survey methodology: • Through a combination of CATI, F2F and Online panels, 235 companies were interviewed across the crosssection of sectors identiﬁed.

Quality education, close proximity to key international locations and opportunities arising from the economic growth has served to make 31

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accreditation Accreditation is a voluntary, independent review of educational programs to determine that the education provided is of uniform and sound quality. Being granted accreditation ensures that the institution has met the set standards of quality determined by the accrediting organization. A college or university's accreditation is maintained by continued adherence to the set criteria. In UAE, it is the Commission of Academic Accreditation (CAA), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research that has been entrusted with this task. As per the CAA website, the U.A.E currently has seventy five licensed Institutions and seven hundred and twenty five accredited programmes. Apart from this, 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 KHDA as the regulator of these institutions. 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 be able to have their degrees certified by KHDA for employment and other purposes in Dubai.

doctoral degrees. Many universities in Dubai are branch campuses of international universities. As the U.A.E. is home to people from various nations, the opportunities for students to pursue higher education from a vibrant mix of institutions has made it a knowledge hub within the region. The Emirate currently has more than 48,000 college students from over 60 different countries’. Higher education institutions in Dubai are either federal institutions, branch 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, are accredited by the accreditation agency of their home country and have their quality assured by KHDA. Students who graduate from these higher education institutions can have their degrees certified by KHDA for employment and other purposes in Dubai.

As per the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) website, ‘there are 52 higher education institutions in Dubai oﬀering a wide range of programmes including vocational diplomas and associate, bachelor, master and

As per the KHDA website, the University Quality Assurance International Board (UQAIB) was established by KHDA to assure the quality of 32

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structure, bylaws, 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 CAA licensed, the institution must meet ten standards and their criteria that cover all major institutional activities. In the 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

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 must undergo the UQAIB quality assurance process. As per the CAA website, CAA Licensure signiﬁes that the institution has a mission appropriate to higher education and possesses the governance 33

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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.

600 colleges and universities worldwide. (Source – ABET website) Similarly, The Associationn. 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 postsecondary educators to pursue excellence and continuous improvement throughout their business programs. Accreditation reviews include selfevaluations, peerreviews, committeereviews, and the development of indepth strategic plans. They also include reviews of a school’s mission, faculty qualiﬁcations, and curricula.

For both prospective students and their families, accreditation provides the assurance that the program in which you are enrolled in or are considering enrolling in, is engaged in continuous

AS PER THE KNOWLEDGE AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (KHDA) WEBSITE, ‘THERE ARE 52 HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN DUBAI OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES INCLUDING VOCATIONAL DIPLOMAS AND ASSOCIATE, BACHELOR, MASTER AND DOCTORAL DEGREES.

Should a student wish to transfer into an institution abroad or migrate to another country in the future, proper transfer of credits is made possible when they are enrolled in or have graduated from a recognized institution. Recognition of the qualification attained is also helpful while applying for a scholarship. 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. Similarly, the KHDA website, http://www.khda.gov.ae/En/Directory/directory. aspx has a list of accredited higher Education institutions in Dubai. Unlike in the past, there are quite a few options for students to choose from. So whether you choose a CAA or KHDA licensed internationally accredited institution you can be assured of getting the best quality education and international recognition of your degree.

review and improvement of quality and that it meets nationally or internationally 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. Some of the courses oﬀered at local institutions are accredited by international bodies. ABET, Inc., for example accredits college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. Among 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

Source: www.caa.ae | www.khda.gov.ae www.aacsb.edu | www.abet.org

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UAE provides a plethora of professional courses both on line and through taught contact programs. As it is an exhaustive list, a few are outlined here for your consideration.

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CAREER SPECIALISATIONS

PROFESSIONAL A stand alone qualification, successful completion of this training program will lead to an “Award in International Introduction to Investment”.

• International Introduction to Investment

• International Investment Management (ICertIM)

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.

ICertIM is targeted at professionals engaging in managing investments, designed to test the competence of individuals in private client, discretionary portfolio and fund management.

Who is it for:

The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the regulatory body for the securities and investment market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are working together to implement the mandatory qualification and licensing regime for the UAE securities market. This initiative will 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

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

CISI recommend that Introduction to Investment is 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 the following job roles: Administration, Investment Operations, Call and Contact Centers, Finance & Accounting IT, Customer Service, Fund management & Sales & Marketing support, Compliance, HR and Training

QUALIFICATIONS

Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment – Professional qualification offered at Center for Management & Professional Devt., University of Dubai:

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meet the need of the industry for a regulatory paper speciﬁc to the UAE market.

CAREER SPECIALISATIONS

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.

• Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ) The 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

Who is it for: 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.

SUCCESSFULLY MANAGING RISK IS A FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENT FOR ANY EFFECTIVE BUSINESS. THE RISK IN FINANCIAL SERVICES QUALIFICATION HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO PROVIDE CANDIDATES WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE KEY RISK THAT ARISE WITHIN THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY.

A stand alone qualification, successful completion of this training program will lead to an “Award in International Certificate in Wealth Management (ICWM)” • Risk in Financial Services Successfully managing risk is a fundamental requirement for any effective business. The Risk in Financial Services qualification has been developed to 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 the following areas: Operational risk, Credit risk, Market risk, Investment risk and Liquidity risk

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.

A stand alone qualification, successful completion of this training program will lead to an “Award In Islamic Finance Qualification (IFQ)”. • International Certificate in Wealth Management (ICWM)

Who is it for: 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 at: Risk teams, Compliance teams, Branch

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. The qualiﬁcation will ensure that wealth 38

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CAREER SPECIALISATIONS

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.

management, Corporate lawyers, Finance officers, Senior managers of all disciplines, Existing and aspiring nonexecutive 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 that they have acquired the necessary knowledge to carry out their job roles competently.

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.

A stand alone qualification, successful completion of this training program will lead to an “Award in Risk in Financial Services”

Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies

Career Beneﬁts The boom in the Islamic Finance industry witnessed in the region has opened the door to hundreds of thousands 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.

Islamic Banking Diploma Over the past three decades the Islamic banking

Islamic Banking Diploma (IBD) The Islamic Banking Diploma Program introduced

To download syllabi, visit source: University of Dubai’s website: http://www.ud.ac.ae/ cmpd/cisi.php

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Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

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.

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.

Source: www.eibfs.ae

The ACCA Qualification 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.

Management accounting combines accounting, finance and management with the leading edge techniques needed to drive successful businesses. Chartered management accountants: • advise managers about the financial implications of projects • explain the financial consequences of business decisions • formulate business strategy • monitor spending and financial control • conduct internal business audits • explain the impact of the competitive landscape.

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 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

http://www.accaglobal.com 42

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branch out into HR, Learning and Development and other specialisms at Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced level. • Boosting your earning potential Independent research reveals that individuals with professional qualiﬁcations stand to earn better salaries. • The knowledge for professional membership The qualiﬁcations cover the knowledge required to work towards CIPD professional membership i.e. Associate, Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow.

information management needs and explain the numbers to nonﬁnancial managers. Source: www.cimaglobal.com

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) 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 in HR. CIPD approved and awarded qualiﬁcations

Source: www.cipd.co.uk

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.

Courses in Logistics & Supply Chain Management LSCM (Logistics and Supply Chain Management) 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 Cocoordinator, Logistics Manager or Head of Logistics Centre and will be comfortable with: are available at Advanced, Intermediate and • Planning and resourcing the supply chain to Foundation level, and you can choose to study meet their organizations supply chain strategy awards, certificates or diplomas at any of these and to meet the needs of the aid programmes in levels. their country/region. • The creation and coordination of the operation Benefits of studying a CIPD qualification of the complex supply chain network. • Valued by employers You can be sure CIPD • Monitoring the performance of the supply chain qualifications will equip you with the knowledge ensuring that any problems are resolved. and skills that employers are looking for. • Supporting and advising others on all aspects of • HR in a business context All qualifications focus the supply chain. on the role of HR in building sustainable business • Managing the different relationships needed for success. the supply chain to operate effectively and • Flexible to meet your needs Learn at your own efficiently. pace and gain credit for your achievements. The • Continuously improving the performance of the certificates and diplomas have a range of supply chain. optional units to meet your particular development needs. Shipping and Freight Forwarding • HR and L&D study paths The opportunity to Freight forwarding is a service used by companies 43

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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. that deal in international or multinational 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.

Why Shipping and Freight Forwarding? • Certified Shipping and Freight Forwarding Professionals earn more salary than those that are non certified • Education: Most important factor for upward mobility of Freight Forwarding professionals • Better Educated = High ranking Professionals • Very few qualified Professionals in Freight Industry • Most of the professionals grow in career due to experience • Certification is one of the most important qualifications in Shipping and Freight Forwarding Industry • Certified Professionals 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 44

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 uptodate, 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. Source: www.cim.co.uk

Travel & Tourism Courses The Tourism Training Programme is the aviation industry's most extensive, industryresponsive and careeroriented training programme, providing students with the best industrywide 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

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professional competence. The IATA/UFTAA diplomas and certiﬁcates denote a qualiﬁcation recognised under the terms of the IATA Resolutions applicable to IATA's accreditation of travel agents.

state boards of accountancy. Please visit the NASBA website to download the Candidate Bulletin and view the uptodate list of participating state boards of accountancy. On October 1, 2011 the AICPA Board of Examiners (BOE) approved changes to the CPA Exam Content Speciﬁcation Outline (CSO) that has been eﬀective since January 1, 2013.

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 world’s largest. Flights by these airlines comprise more than 95% of all international scheduled air traﬃc.

Source : www.aicpa.org

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales 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.

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.

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT Examination Conducted by American Institute of Certified Public Accountant (AICPA) Certification Issued by State Board of Accountancy from applicable State International Recognition US CPA is mutually recognized by CA – Canada, CPA –

•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 ongoing support and resources throughout your career to keep you at the forefront of the profession.

Australia, CA New Zealand and others Eligibility M.Com / M.B.A. / ICWA / CA are eligible.

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

Source :http://www.icaew.com

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FINANCIAL PLANNING

M NEY MATTERS! NOW is always a good time to start your planning for your children's higher education. I am often asked how early should we start setting aside the funds, the nobrainer reply usually is 'sooner the better'. Considering the current and expected economic scenario, perhaps the right time to start hitting the calculator can never be any sooner. The real question is how much is needed and when it is needed. It is indeed simple and easy to arrive at a rough estimate and you may never be a long way oﬀ. The earlier you start, the longer you have to make the necessary course corrections needed, if any. A good starting point to do a simple calculation is to work out how much it costs as of now and build in an inﬂation factor.

An Ivy League university today charges close to $40,000 per year. This is just the plain tuition fee, to be topped up with living costs and homecoming costs. Living costs vary dramatically depending on the geographic location. While universities in a bustling metropolitan cost a bomb, those in quaint

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Their friends, the Jones, however, started their saving journey quite late after their child entered secondary school. Since student loan is not easy to come by in this part of the world, the Jones had an arduous journey and had to make quite a few compromises to reach their goal. Not only did they have difficulty saving close to AED 8,000 every month, they missed out a few months. Nevertheless they still had time to make it up over the four years of university, however it did result in quite a few sleepless nights.

little towns cost much less. Needless to say, these little towns oﬀer fewer avenues of entertainment, which have their own pros and cons. On an assumption that their child may end up in an Ivy League University, both the Jacks and the Jones estimated that they need to provide $50,000 every academic year. Amassing total savings of $200,000 per child for a bachelor's degree was mind boggling to start with. The Jacks saved AED 4,200 every month from the time their child

THE REAL QUESTION IS HOW MUCH IS NEEDED AND WHEN IT IS NEEDED. IT IS INDEED SIMPLE AND EASY TO ARRIVE AT A ROUGH ESTIMATE AND YOU MAY NEVER BE A LONG WAY OFF. THE EARLIER YOU START, THE LONGER YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE NECESSARY COURSE CORRECTIONS NEEDED, IF ANY.

While the Jacks were prudent enough to build in inﬂation in their savings model, they underestimated the costs of coming home and their own trips for enrolment and graduation. If the child makes two trips home from some parts of the USA, it could cost them as much as AED 15,000+, since every possible journey is most likely to be in the peak travel season.

entered primary school. On an average annual earning of 3% over the years, they were able to build a pot of $200,000 quite comfortably. This way, the Jacks ensured total funding was available as their child started college.

then it is wise to err on the conservative side; hence it is recommended to provide for possibly the higher end of the costs. Extra savings, if any, will be come in handy to treat yourselves on your child's graduation.

It is easier to estimate closer to the time your child is expected to hit University. If you are lucky enough that your child has still a long way to go,

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through your child's university will be utterly wasted if your children do not pick up basic money skills. Having grown up in the Dubai lifestyle, a sudden onset of independence, coupled with innumerable avenues to spend happen to be

Many a time, a little rearrangement is called for in your current portfolio to match the cost timetable. Or else, a fundingparent may be stuck with liquidity and maturity mismatches. It is ideal to have the whole of the ﬁrst year's funding in cash before your child starts University. The second year funding should be in liquid assets, say bank deposits before the start year. The 3rd and ﬁnal year funding should be available in easily cashable assets, with maturities matched to University schedules. It is

DO MAKE IT A POINT TO TEACH THEM THE BASICS OF BANKS DIFFERENT TYPES OF BANK ACCOUNTS, THEIR CHARGING STRUCTURE, STATEMENT REVIEW, MINIMUM BALANCE REQUIREMENTS, CHEQUE WRITING AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CREDIT CARD AND A DEBIT CARD. also worthy to note that students may take longer than four years and so it is indeed important to provide for funding the extra time. The latestarter parent tends to opt for investments with quick returns in a short time to make up for lost time. Since nothing in this world is riskfreeall$$$in return, such a strategy may prove highly detrimental. Funds placed in real estate on a ﬂipittomakeaquickbuck approach, might not work out to your calendar. However all is not lost, it can be set aside for the later academic years as it takes longer than expected to realise cash from the sale. Burning the midnight oil, calculating and providing for all the ﬁnancial support 48

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quite a challenging proposition for a teenager. Many a time, parents get a call from the child freaked out by the loss of the wallet not only money, but also ID cards which double as a charge cardcumcollege and dorm entry key.

account. While they gladly accompany you on your grocery trips as kids, somehow they seem to lose interest as they grow up. Do allow them to do your family's shopping for a month, so they get the hang of it all ﬁtting shopping to the busy time schedule to sticking to the shopping list.

Not many parents, despite not having conﬁdence in their children's ﬁnancial acumen, give their children opportunities to handle money in the school years. The school requirements and the University application process eat up what little time they had to polish their money skills.

In all probability, your children may end up paying sales taxes on most of their purchases when they go to university which means their shopping is going to cost more with tax. Teach them the importance of tallying the bill amount with the charge slip, whenever card payments are done, online or by swiping in person.

Finance can be Fun too! Start teaching your children from early on, it could be as fun an activity as stacking up the coins or playing monopoly. Let your kids see you, armed with calculators, working on budgets and scheduling bill payments.

If they happen to earn working part time, top it up to motivate them. Such incentive schemes, agreed in advance, spruce up their planning, budgeting and simple math skills. Do make it a point to teach them the basics of banks different types of bank accounts, their charging structure, statement review, minimum balance requirements, cheque writing and more importantly, the difference between a credit card and a debit card.

Allow them to make their own little mistakes by blowing up their pocket money. It is a good idea to open a bank account, help them deposit money and withdraw funds perhaps to buy gifts for Mother's day, birthdays etc. Holidays are a wonderful time to teach them currency exchange rates and basic calculations they learn better when it comes to their own pocket money.

If you ﬁnd all these highly challenging, it is never too late to seek professional help. Should you or your children need hand holding, Money Matters! and Counselling Point will soon be offering capsular courses for both parents and children.

As they grow up, provide them with a preloaded debit card, perhaps on the condition that they sit with you to track their spending and balance the

The Author, Ms. Nalini Suresh, ACA, has been conducting ﬁnancial literacy programs in the region for the past six years, for both corporates and individuals. Nalini has been invited to speak at international conferences organized by IIR Middle East, Marcus Evans Malaysia, IQPC and the UAE Ministry of Social Aﬀairs. With the objective of encouraging students to evolve into responsible business leaders, she delivers guest lectures at business schools and student networks. She may be contacted on nalini@greatergoodnow.com.

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ADVERTORIAL

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About 15 years ago, apart from the federal government sponsored institutions to cater to the needs of the local population, the United Arab Emirates had very limited higher education opportunities. However, it now boasts of a variety of courses and institutions to meet the needs of a growing multicultural population. According to the Knowledge and Human Development Authority’s annual report on the higher education landscape of 2012, more than 43,000 students were enrolled in Dubai’s tertiary education sector. Private universities in Dubai recorded a 12 per cent increase in student enrolment in the last year, part of an 11 per cent increase in higher education enrolment as a whole. The quality and breadth of higher education 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 last year 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 graduates has also increased by eight per cent since 2011. More than half of all graduates were awarded a Bachelor’s degree, with an increasing number gaining Masters Qualiﬁcation. Dubai International Academic City currently has 21 of the UAE’s 37 International

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Why UAE? The vision of the UAE’s leaders is to make it a knowledgebased economy and a major

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.

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. UAE is home to a wide range of universities, both public and private. UAE citizens can attend government institutions free of charge. According to the UAE Ministry website, ninetyfive 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 schoolgoing students. Of these, nearly 850,000 in the K 12 phase, 130,000 in higher education.

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, Madinat Zayed, Dubai, Ras alKhaimah, Sharjah and Fujairah. The HCTs offer more than 80 programs at four different 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. 53

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The quality and breadth of higher education programmes offered by universities continues to entice a greater proportion of students from Dubai, as well as attract new students from around the world.

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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

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Branch Campuses from 11 countries. According to the Council for Academic Accreditation, there are 75 Licensed Institutions offering 725 accredited programmes as on 1st September 2013. Apart from this, there are 18 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) operating in Abu Dhabi. These are classified as Federal, Public NonFederal and Private institutions.

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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

What’s new in 2012 – Higher Education Landscape in Dubai 2012 11% increase in higher education students in Dubai (48,058 students) 9% increase in student enrolment at Federal institutions 11% increase in enrolment at private institutions outside Free Zones 12% increase in enrolment at Free Zone institutions 10% increase in Emirati students, with more male Emiratis (55%) than female 8% increase in university programmes, with a wider range available to students Increasing numbers of Emirati students studying law, media and design

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 stateoftheart infrastructure. Students from 54

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the ME region are beneﬁtting from these educational opportunities housed in multi university complexes.

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 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 Since UAE is a melting pot of various nationalities, the schools, colleges, Universities and Institutes here oﬀer a variety of programmes from various countries. One can get a two year vocational program or BTech from the UK, a three year Indian or British degree or a four year American, Australian, Canadian one, the choice is yours. Vocational courses varying from jewellery design, sound

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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.

Facilities Being relatively new institutions, the institutions have the latest technology, resources and laboratories. Research and technical collaboration for sharing resources

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requirement in terms of grades or marks secured. This could vary with each institution.

Admission Requirements Most institutions in the UAE have a September intake. Some oﬀer summer programmes and a few also have a January intake. Most institutions require a TOEFL or IELTS score to demonstrate English proﬁciency. Some establishments conduct their own entrance exam. It is advisable to contact individual institutions to seek entry requirements as they vary.

Deadlines Admissions open in April and oﬀers are made

Since UAE is a melting pot of various nationalities, the schools, colleges, Universities and Institutes here offer a variety of programmes from various countries.

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.

Application Process Students can ﬁll forms on line 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 56

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.

Visas For all male students above the age of 18, a

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ADVERTORIAL

Under the presidency of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, U.A.E, Hamdan Bin Mohammed eUniversity (HBMeU) is committed to instigating a culture of quality, excellence and research through e-learning in the Arab world,with emphasis in the academic disciplines of business, quality management, education, healthcare and environment. HBMeU enjoys international credibility and recognition with its academic and professional programs not only being demand-driven, but also customized to meet the growing needs of businesses in the UAE and indeed elsewhere in the Arab world. Established in 2002, this innovative higher education project has been conceived, crafted and implemented by Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, the Chancellor of HBMeU, as a passionate response to the hopes and aspirations of the new Arab generation, with an emphasis on e-learning as the future of education and empowerment in the region. The pioneering HBMeU offers a wide range of accredited undergraduate and vision of the University has, in fact, paved the way post graduate degree programs in: for the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Undergraduate Scientific Research (MOHESR) to design standards • Diploma in Health Administration for accreditation for an e-learning institution. Learner Experience The University has brought about a paradigm shift in higher education by designing learner-centric solutions in its strategy. The learner experience at HBMeU is much more diverse and innovative than any other campus life - with its unique learning environment (the Virtual Learning Environment, the e-Campus), the University offers a fresher learning experience with the use of innovative technologies in the form of mobile learning, discussion blogs, online classrooms, educational gaming, social networking etc.

Research Initiatives Since its inception, the University has taken a lead in developing a knowledge-based economy with pioneering research initiatives in response to the research needs of the Arab World. A milestone in the area of scientific research endeavours of HBMeU has been the Annual Scientific Congress, with three annual conferences: Quality Congress; Conference on e-Learning Excellence and the Annual Scientific e-Health and Environment Conference..

International Partnerships The University has additionally gained international reputation through its alignment with leading educational institutions and organizations, include University of California, Berkeley, Bradford University, St. Gallen University, U21Global, University of South Africa (UNISA) to name a few.

• • • • • •

Bachelor of Science in Health Administration Bachelor of Business and Quality Management Bachelor of Business and Marketing Diploma of Business and Quality Management Bachelor of Business and Human Resource Management Bachelor of Business and Accounting

Postgraduate • Master of Science in Hospital Management • Master of Science: Excellence in Environmental Management • Master of Science in Public Health • Master of Human Resource Management • Master of Science in Innovation & Change Management • Master of Science in Organizational Excellence • Master of Islamic Banking and Finance • Master of Management in Entrepreneurial Leadership • Master of Project Management • Master of Arts in Online Curriculum and Instruction • Master of Arts in Online Education Leadership and Management • Master of Science in Interactive Educational Technologies

Doctorate • Ph.D. in Management (Concentration: Total Quality Management) • Ph.D. in Health and Environmental Studies (Concentration: Healthcare Management) • PhD in e-Education (Concentration: Educational Leadership) All programs are accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the U.A.E.

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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

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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.

Source and 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 58

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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. Many 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 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. 60

According to HESA or Higher Education Statistics agencyUK, 2.55 million students were studying for a qualiﬁcation or for credit at 163 UK higher education institutions (HEIs) in 2011/12. Of these institutions, 162 were publicly funded and one, The University of Buckingham, was privately funded. A small proportion of these students (2.1%) were studying at further education (FE) levels. Although a large proportion of students studying in the UK were domiciled in the UK before they entered Higher Education (82.6%), a further 5.3% were from other countries within the European Union

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Students who wish to pursue an academic education may select a three year undergraduate degree followed by post

Students enrolled in a course six months and above are eligible for free health care from the National Health Service (NHS). Furthermore, unlike the equivalent programmes in other countries, 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

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 jobrelated 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.

considering studies in the UK along with links to local British Council oﬃces.

Application Process UCAS –Universities and Colleges Admissions Service coordinates applications to full time ﬁrst degrees, foundation degrees, Higher National Diplomas etc. ‘Apply’ is the online application system. One can apply to ﬁve institutions through the UCAS. You can only apply one application in each application cycle. You would need to provide an email for an academic referee who will then be invited by UCAS to send an academic reference. The application fee for this service can be paid online by credit card. UCAS allows you to track your application status. For those students who wish to apply for a 61

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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.

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(EU) and 12.1% were from countries outside the EU. Among undergraduate students from outside the UK, the highest proportions came from Asia (41.0%) and the EU (36.9%). The next highest proportions were from Africa (6.5%), the Middle East (5.3%) and North America (5.1%).

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programme in Medicine, Dentistry or veterinary science, you would need to apply before 15th of October and can opt only for four institutions. The deadline for Oxford or Cambridge is also 15th October. Some of these competitive institutions also invite prospective students for interviews either on their campus or by telephone.

Admission Requirements Prospective international students should demonstrate proficiency in English by furnishing an IELTS or PTE Pearson Test of English score. If you do not meet the required level of English, you could enroll in an English language preparation course. 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, Dentistry etc 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 The deadline for Oxbridge and medical programmes is the15th of October. 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. 62

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Some of the institutions oďŹ&#x20AC;ering Law would need you to sit a national exam called LNAT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; National Admission test for Law. For Medical entrance you would need BMAT (Biomedical Admission Test) or UKCAT(UK 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. 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 while clinical courses vary from 7500 to 12,000 pounds. The cost of living varies between

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diﬀerent regions of the UK. It is safest to allocate 1000 pounds if living in London and 800 pounds per month any where else. 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

between 4 and 15 years old, you must be go to the UK to be educated at an independent fee paying 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.

The UK higher education system is internationally recognized. The standard is guaranteed by official bodies like the Qualifications Curriculum Authority (QCA) which recognises the quality of the university’s teaching and general facilities.

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.

For adult Tier 4 (General) and child students coming on Tier 4 (Child) student visas, the UK has a pointsbased 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.

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 when you intend to travel. You can find out about visa processing on UKBA's visa service pages. There are a number of different types of visa available. We discuss the Tier 4 student applicant here: • Tier 4 (Child) student: You can apply as a child student under Tier 4 of the pointsbased system if you are between 4 and 17 years old. If you are

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 assure you 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. 63

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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 • 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.

Source and 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.thebac.org Information on UK Education: www.britishcouncil.org/me Search Engine for courses: www.educationuk.org/me, www.hotcourses.com Information on scholarships: www.educationuk.org/scholarships Information on student life in UK: www.studentuk.com Quality Assurance Agency: www.qaa.ac.uk English Test: Int’l English Language Testing System: www.ielts.org UK Visa Information: www.ukvisas.gov.uk 64

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The 2012 Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange, ďŹ nds that the number of international students at colleges and universities in the United States increased by six percent to a record high of 764,495 in the 2011/12 academic year, while U.S. students studying abroad increased by one percent. International exchanges in all 50 states contributed $22.7 billion to the U.S. economy. Subjects international students take while in the US include: Business (22%), Engineering (19%) and Science (18%). The Open Doors report is published by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural AďŹ&#x20AC;airs.

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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

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.

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 enrolling at a community college for a two year Associate degree. On successful completion of the two year programme, they could transfer to another

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: www.universityof california.edu 67

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Application process

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.

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two year institutions. These public staterun 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 provided.

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ADVERTORIAL

Top University for Engineering and Technology Education BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus (BPDC), located in the Dubai International Academic City, is the branch campus of the internationally reputed Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, India. Set-up in the year 2000, it is one of the largest Institutions in the region exclusively dedicated to Engineering Education. BITS Pilani has been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), an autonomous body set up by UGC, Government of India with the highest Grade ‘A’. BITS Pilani ranks among the top 10 technical universities of India in the surveys conducted by the India Today, Outlook, The Week-India, Competition Success Review and Dataquest. The Dubai Campus offers B.E. (Hons.), M.E., M.B.A. and Ph.D. programmes in various engineering and allied disciplines with a student strength of about 1500 students including several students from India and other countries coming to study in the Dubai Campus. Students acquire best quality education in an international environment with state-of-art academic infrastructure from well-experienced, highly qualified and dedicated faculty and research facilities. The Institute also has collaboration with over 400 reputed companies across UAE to offer internship to its students. 2646 students have graduated from the campus till date and the Alumni have done exceptionally well in all spheres of life. They are holding leading positions in diverse fields across the world with more than 750 leading companies having recruited the Dubai Campus graduates. More than 80 globally prestigious universities have admitted the Alumni for higher studies. Many Alumni are also successful entrepreneurs. BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus is headed by Prof. R.K. Mittal in the capacity of Director. Dr. R.K. Mittal’s career spans over 37 years at BITS Pilani, marked by distinct academic and administrative achievements. For more information on BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus visit: www.bits-dubai.ac.ae

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Supporting documents You would need to submit transcripts of the last three years, one or more essay, information on extracurricular activities including sports, voluntary work and leadership initiatives undertaken; along with information on summer courses/internships etc. Your teacher and/or counsellor will be invited to send confidential letters of recommendation online along with the profile of the school. Students will also be asked to send TOEFL and SAT 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

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scores may be submitted in lieu of the SAT. 2011 saw the ACT move past the SAT for the ﬁrst time ever as the preferred entrance exam among US high school students, albeit marginally: 1,666,017 US students took the ACT that year as opposed to the 1,664,479 who took the SAT. 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. Extra curricular pursuits and internships undertaken are looked upon favourably. If you wish to apply for an early decision or early action, the deadline is usually in October/November. You can visit individual

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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

or university. Following admission, the educational institution in the United States will issue a Certiﬁcate of Eligibility for Non Immigrant Student Status (I20 form) and provide that to the student. Sponsoring academic institutions are required to enter accepted foreign students' names into SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System.

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.

applications must be sent in by October.

Students should verify with their sponsoring academic institution that they are entered into SEVIS before they apply for a visa. Upon receiving the I20 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.

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 F1 student visa begins with acceptance to an American college

US immigration policy requires that all foreign students submit proof of ﬁnancial support for their studies. The ﬁnancial guarantee may take the form of a bank statement or a letter from a sponsoring agency. For further information on documents needed, visit: abudhabi.usembassy.gov/niv/ students.html. 71

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Documents needed during the Visa interview: • Form I20AB, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F1) Student StatusFor Academic and Language Students or Form I 20MN, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M1) Student Status for Vocational Students. You will need to submit a SEVIS generated Form, I20, which was provided to you by your institution. You and your school official must sign the I20 form. • Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS160. Visit the DS160 webpage to learn more about the DS160 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 countryspecific 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. See the required

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photo format explained in nonimmigrant photograph requirements; • A MRV fee receipt to show payment of the visa application fee. • The SEVIS I901 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, 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.

Source and 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 US Embassy Contact information: EducationUSAAD@state.gov US Consulate General EducationUSSdubai@state.gov 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 72

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CANADA

Canada is accepting more and more international students, and more of those 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. The highest numbers come from China and India. In 2012, 104,777 new study permit holders entered Canada, up from 79,264 in 2008 – for a 32% increase over those four years. The total number of international students in Canada has also risen, from 177,657 in 2008 to 265,377 in 2012, for a 50% increase over the same period. The Province of Ontario accepts the most international students (45,401 out of the 104,777 new arrivals in 2012), followed by British Columbia (26,639) and 74

then the Frenchspeaking province of Quebec (16,770). Universities claim the highest numbers of international students in Canada (41% of new arrivals in 2012), with “other postsecondary” (e.g., colleges, polytechnics, etc) coming in at 25%, and K12 at 23% of the Canadian total. Students from China and India together represented 37% of the international student entries to Canada in 2012. Students from around the world enrich the educational experience of Canadian students by bringing global perspectives, new cultures and languages to their campuses. According to a July 2012 federal government report, international students pursuing their education in Canada generate 81,000 jobs, nearly $8billion in spending and more than $445 million in government revenue. In 2012, 4 Canadian universities ranked in the Top 100 of the ARWU Shanghai Ranking and 22 in the Top 500; 3 ranked in the Top 50 of the QS University Ranking and 20 in the Top 500; and 5 ranked in the Top 100 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and 8 in the Top 200. As the national voice for Canadian universities, Assn. of Universities and Colleges of Canada represent 97 public and private notforproﬁt

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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

In 2012, 4 Canadian universities ranked in the Top 100 of the ARWU Shanghai Ranking and 5 ranked in the Top 100 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and 8 in the Top 200.

qualifications are on offer along with certificate, Diploma and professional qualifications. Apart from 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 offered diplomas and certificates, not degrees. However, these days, some of them award degrees as well.

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 records from grade 9 to the most recent will be reviewed as part of the admissions process. A good academic proﬁle is given preference.

Application Process

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 (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 University year is usually September to April, intakes being September and January.

The province of Ontario, Alberta and that of

According to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s estimates, 70 percent of new jobs in the coming decade will require postsecondary education. Between 2011 and 2020, AUCC estimates there will be 2.1 million jobs created for university graduates.

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universities and university degreelevel colleges. They have represented the interests of Canadian universities since 1911. (www.aucc.ca) A plethora of undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral

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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 you to include ID slips that they will mail you once you have done the initial application. 76

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

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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 tests as pre requisites.

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. For the study permit, apart from your acceptance letter, you would need to show adequate funds to support you during your period of stay in Canada. In some cases, medical and Security checks may also be required. The student permit may take six to eight weeks to be processed. Applicants below eighteen years of age also need to submit an undertaking of guardianship from a citizen of Canada.

Employment As an international student, you are able to work on campus without a work permit if: • You are registered as a fulltime student at a public postsecondary institution. • You are registered as a fulltime student at a private postsecondary institution that operates under the same rules and regulations as a public institution, and receives at least 50% of its ﬁnancing from

government grants. • You are registered as a full time student a Canadian private institution authorized by provincial statute to grant degrees. • You have a valid study permit..

OffCampus Jobs As an international student, you are able to work oﬀcampus with a work permit while completing your studies if: • You are registered as a full time student at a participating publicly funded postsecondary educational institution or in an approved program at an eligible privately funded institution. • You have applied for your work permit and have received it. • You are only working up to 20 hours per week during regular academic sessions, and full time during scheduled breaks (for example, winter and summer holidays or spring break). Apart from this, your spouse or commonlaw partner may apply for a Work Permit if you are a fulltime student at an authorised institution and have a Study Permit. For more details visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

PostGraduate Work Program This program allows international students who have graduated from a participating Canadian postsecondary institution to gain valuable Canadian work experience through a special work permit issued for the length of the study program, up to a maximum of 3 years. 77

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Eligibility • You studied full time in Canada. • You graduated from a public postsecondary institution, a private postsecondary institution, or a private institution authorized by provincial statute to confer degrees. • Your study program was at least 8 months long. • You applied for the work permit within 90 days of receiving written confirmation that you have completed your academic program. • You have received notification that you are eligible to obtain your degree, diploma or certificate.

• You have a valid study permit when you apply. Source: Canadian Embassy in Abu Dhabi

Universities are increasing the programs and services they oﬀer to help graduates transition to careers. Half of all Canadian university students across all disciplines now complete at least one coop experience, practicum, internship or ﬁeld placement by the time they graduate. Canadian University Survey Consortium, 2012 Survey of

Source and Web Sites of Use Canadian Embassy Abu Dhabi: www.abudhabi.gc.ca Scholarships: www.canlearn.ca, www.studentawards.com Study Permits: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/study.asp 78

Graduating Undergraduate Students.

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ADVERTORIAL

Jibran Sheikh Program: Bachelor of Commerce – Financial Services Management I joined Seneca as an International Student in the Bachelor of Commerce – Financial Services Management (FSM) program in the fall of 2008. After four number-crunching years and filling part-time hours as a Student Ambassador at Seneca, I was hired at one of the “Big 5” banks in Canada as a Customer Service Representative. I started off on a co-op term and continued to work with them after I graduated. The curriculum, practicality and networking opportunities have provided an excellent foundation for higher learning and have defined my personal and professional development. The educational and practical experience I learned at Seneca transformed my life and I continuously apply that in my current role after making the transition from Retail Banking to Wealth Management (Private Banking & Investment Management Services) for the same bank that is now listed on the Fortune 500 list.

Gofran Sheikh Program: Travel & Tourism – Hospitality Management (Diploma), Brand Management (Post-graduate Certificate) After deciding to leave the luxuries of Dubai in the summer of 2002, I made the big move to Canada as an International Student and joined Seneca for the Travel & Tourism Diploma program. Intrigued by the opportunity that the hospitality industry possessed, I decided to head back home where I acquired a position as a Corporate Sales Manager for a 5-star hotel. After gaining valuable industry-related experience, I decided I wanted to take up a new challenge. I joined Seneca again in 2009 for the Brand Management Post-graduate program. The graduate certificate program and my part-time work at the International Student Centre provided me with additional professional skills and knowledge to develop and execute successful brand strategies that I implemented at a Toronto-based food manufacturing company. I learned from a range of instructional styles, had the opportunity to work on actually relevant case studies and built relationships with the faculty at Seneca who have enabled me to establish myself as the globally-diverse and experienced individual I am today. I recently acquired the Branch Assistant Manager role with a leading US-based car rental company, which has presented me with several exciting opportunities that I look forward to as my career develops.

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AUSTRALIA

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 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.

the previous year. The Australian education sector saw a 12% drop between 2009 and 2012. Almost 30% of overseas students in Australia come from China and 9.2% from India, but there was a 16.7% decrease in Indians from 2012 to 2013 after a string of highly publicised attacks on Indian students”.

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.

According to a report that appeared in The Guardian by Helen Davidson in mid August this year, “Australian universities have seen a decline in the number of overseas students in recent years. There were nearly 380,000 enrolments by fullfee paying students on study visas in the year to June 2013, a 2.2% decline on 82

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

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protected by law under the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS):

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 ie 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.

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.

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 prerequisite subjects. For post graduate admission, apart from the satisfactory completion of at least one degree at undergraduate level, your 83

05 AUSTRALIA

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.

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 prerequisite subjects or work experience requirements.

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AUSTRALIA

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.

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

Finances

Scholarship

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.

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

Source: studyinaustralia

The Australian government requires that

Source and Web Sites of Use The Australian Government: www.australia.gov.au Study in Australia: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au New visa regulations: http://www.immi.gov.au/ 84

Student Visa Options: Below is the list of the student visas currently available. 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). •Nonaward (Subclass 575). •AusAID or Defence (Subclass 576).

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ADVERTORIAL

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ADVERTORIAL

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ADVERTORIAL

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M A L AYS I A

Malaysia is currently ranked the world’s 11th most preferred study destination by UNESCO. It is gaining acceptance as a reputable study destination in the region. Malaysia 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 twinnings, franchised and external degree programmes in partnership with Malaysian institutions. 90

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 2011, there were 71,101 U.A.E students studying in Malaysia. That number rose to 97,419 in 2012. Over the past 15 years, Malaysia has also

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The ministry is concentrating on awarding large amounts of research funding under its Fundamental Research Grant Scheme.

Enrolling at a 'Licensed' Private Educational Institution It is advisable that international students ascertain whether the institution of their choice has been 'licensed' and 'approved'

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 variety of courses on offer like Islamic Banking, Shariat Law etc.

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).

before they enrol. To safeguard the interest 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:

Malaysia is also stepping up eﬀorts to lure more university students from the UAE, following a surge in numbers in recent years enrolments have been increasing by about 5 to 7 per cent a year since 2004. 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 variety of courses on oﬀer like Islamic Banking, Shariat Law etc.

•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.

The Malaysian government is also ensuring the quality of higher education in the country.

• Tertiary Education Private higher educational institutions which oﬀer tertiary education besides 91

06 M A L AY S I A

attracted worldclass 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

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M A L AYS I A

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.

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 fulltime 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 94

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 •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 nonrefundable) You may obtain the application form online from the institution's website or from the institution's overseas representative. 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 Upon receiving your application, the institution will usually take 5 to 7 days to process your application. If you are accepted, the institution will issue an 'Oﬀer of Place' letter. This letter will conﬁrm the fulltime course details,

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commencement dates, and an invoice for the tuition fee, miscellaneous fees and accommodation fees.

through the Institution, you can prepare for your journey to Malaysia. You do not need to apply for a separate visa to enter Malaysia.

You then need to make arrangements for the payment of fees. The institution will issue a receipt to you upon conﬁrmation of payment.

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.

Application of 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

Upon arrival at the airport in Malaysia, the educational institution’s representative will receive you at the immigration checkpoint. 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 MEPCMalaysian Education Promotion Center.

Source and Web Sites of Use •Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia www.mohe.gov.my, www.educationmalaysia.gov.my •Malaysian Qualiﬁcations Agency www.mqa.gov.my •Ministry of Education Malaysia www.moe.gov.my, www.moe.gov.my/bps •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 : +9714398 5843 Fax : +9714327 5151 95

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GERMANY

Germany’s higher education institutions enjoy an excellent reputation. Teaching and research are geared towards promoting innovation and progress. Institutions have stateoftheart equipment and labs to provide students with the very best conditions for successful studies.

Germany’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 98

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. According to ICEF, at a German Federal Education Ministry press conference held in January, a ministry spokesperson spoke about Germany’s changing fortune as a destination for international education. In the year 2000,

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The academic year is generally divided into two sixmonth 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 non lecture period to revise material taught in the previous semesters or to complete internships. The German higher education system

Students wishing to study in Germany can choose from more than 12,000 degree programmes and subjects offered at 340 state (public) and staterecognized higher education institutions.

almost 38,300 in 2011 – up 2,900 or 8% from the previous year. By contrast, in 2000, graduating students from abroad had numbered less than 14,000. Of all the international students who graduated in Germany in 2012, 13% came from China, 7% from Turkey, and 5% from Russia. Students wishing to study in Germany can choose from more than 12,000 degree programmes and subjects oﬀered at 340 state (public) and staterecognized 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.

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 Musikhochschulen: Colleges of art, film and music offer artistic creative subjects – like fine art, industrial and fashion design, stage design, graphic art, instrumental music or singing. There are 99

07 GERMANY

175,000 international students had elected to study at German institutions; in 2011, international student enrolment reached over a quarter million, making Germany the fourth most popular study destination worldwide. As the number of enrolments has grown, so too has the number of graduates. In September 2012, the Federal Ministry for Statistics announced that the number of international students graduating from German institutions had reached

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GERMANY

even special mediaoriented colleges that train directors, camera operators, authors, ﬁlm makers and other TV or media professionals.

Besides the state (public) higher education

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

Germany’s higher education system is very diverse and varied. It offers thousands of degree programmes, more than 300 institutions, and many different degrees.

Liechtenstein, Iceland and Norway

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.

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 100

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 uniassist.

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 uniassist, if your

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ADVERTORIAL

ADCB’s ‘Banking on Education’ helps parents plan and provide for their children’s education

Of the many demands on our budgets as parents and grand-parents, the education of our children and grand-children is an important priority that demands much careful thought and planning. At ADCB we believe in ambition and therefore believe fully in supporting our customers, who of course want the very best for their children. To help parents realise their ambitions for their children, we have put considerable thought into providing an optimum range of comprehensive services that will help and support them as their children grow and the costs of education grows with them. ADCB supports parents every step of the way as they make important educational choices and plan effectively to ensure that the increasing costs of education are well provisioned for as early as possible. ‘Banking on Education’ is ADCB’s one-stop shop for all parents’ education-related financial needs, providing structured support and advice for future planning, as well as a comprehensive range of products and services that provides three important functions: 1) Make advice and information easily available to help parents make important decisions and choices with regards to their child’s future and education requirements 2) Allow parents to save carefully for their children’s education by providing a wide range of structured savings plans, investment options and savings accounts 3) Provide access to additional funding through education loans to sail parents through the most demanding years, should it be required. “Through personal experience and ADCB’s professional research with educational institutes both here and abroad, it has become increasingly evident that education costs are an ever increasing burden on parents whose budgets are already tight,” said Sundar Parthasarathy, ADCB Executive Vice President, Head – Consumer Assets. ADCB aims to provide valuable and practical support to all parents, helping them save for the future and invest in their children’s education.” At ADCB you can take an Education Loan for any

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course or curriculum, be it school education or higher studies, whether in UAE or outside UAE. Furthermore, to enhance the experience with ADCB, we provide a number of insightful seminars on the subject of education for parents, providing them access to key facts and education trends that will help them make informed decisions and choices. ADCB also provides a number of specially tailored savings plans, providing parents with the opportunity to get an early start in terms of saving for higher education. Additionally, ADCB has finance facilities designed to provide the right level of additional support and funding, exactly when it is most needed, to help parents spread the burden of heavy fees. ADCB’s objective for the future is to use its understanding of the pressures that parents are under so that it can support them appropriately as they make crucial decisions about their child’s education. ADCB hopes that all parents will engage in this process as early as possible so that they have enough time in-hand to allow their investments to grow, providing the opportunity for them to see their children get the education they always dreamed of. For more information on ‘Banking on Education’ please SMS EDUCATION to 2626, call 800 2030 or visit www.adcb.com/education Disclaimer: Investment products are not bank deposits and are not guaranteed by ADCB. They are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of principle amount invested. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Please refer to ADCB Terms and Conditions for Investment Services.

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GERMANY

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 webbased scholarship database is available to students on the DAAD website (www.daad.de/offices or www.funding guide.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: 102

•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

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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. While 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 flexibility 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 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.

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Most Swiss universities ask for a licentiate as prerequisite for a PhD.

Students should have a good knowledge of the language of instruction (either German, English, French or Italian). Candidates should also possess a staterecognized 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.

Study Programmes 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 schoolleaving 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 be

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. 105

08 SWITZERLAND

In addition to the recognised institutes of higher education, there are a 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.

found at the CRUS/Swiss ENIC Web site.

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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):

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 Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS) Hallwylstrasse 4 CH3003 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 As of 20th June 2011, 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

Forms and supporting documents required are listed on: www.eda.admin.ch/dubai or available in their oﬃce.

Source and further information: Brochures about studying in Switzerland in English: n "Studying in Switzerland: Universities, 2012" n "Studying in Switzerland: Universities of Applied Science, 2012" n "Studying in Switzerland: Universities of Teacher Education, 2012" n "Higher education and research in Switzerland, 2011" The Englishlanguage Web site www.swissuniversity.ch/ provides information for international students wanting to study in Switzerland and for universities seeking cooperation partners. 107

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ADVERTORIAL

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INDIA

Studying in India India’s population of more than 1.2 billion people, representing over 17% of the global total, makes India the secondmost 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 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 11th February 2013, India is home to 620 Universities. Of these, 298 are state universities, 130 are Deemed Universities, 44 are central and 148 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 110

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

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They have a common admission process for undergraduate admissions, using the Joint Entrance Examination (popularly known as IIT足JEE) to select around 8,000 undergraduate 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.

09 INDIA

engineering and technology足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.

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INDIA

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

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

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.

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.

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

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 112

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

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INDIA

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 reason India 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.

With 24 Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs) and 6 Food Craft Institutes spread all over the country, India oﬀers threeyear 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,

Hotel Management and Tourism

Reviewed on:10012011

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. 114

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

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INDIA

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.

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

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.

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 research work under a guide, leading to thesis submission and vivavoce. 116

competition for seats is intense and the cutoff 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 selffinancing 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

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along with board exam results is used to determine the student’s eligibility for admission. International students and nonresident 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)/NonResident 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 201011.

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.

Source and 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 117

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NEW

ZEALAND

New Zealand has a reputation the world over for the quality education provided by its colleges and universities that is practical, and modern. New Zealand institutions feature modern facilities and class sizes conducive to active participation and learning. Unparalleled study opportunities and excellent support services for international students make the country a favorite destination for higher education.

Moreover, the climate is temperate and almost subÂtropical, with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers, conducive to study, sightseeing and recreation. Nearly 100,000 international students chose New Zealand for their studies abroad in 2012, 118

contributing NZ $2 billion (US $1.64 billion) to the economy and supporting approximately 32,000 jobs. And, a further 3,000 students were enrolled last year in oďŹ&#x20AC;shore programmes operated by New Zealand institutions. This makes international education a signiďŹ cant export sector in the country, and the

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government aims to see it bigger still, having set a target of doubling the sector’s value to NZ $5 billion (US $4.1 billion) by 2025.

direction as most courses are taught via lectures, labs and tutorials. In all, there are eight universities in the country and all of them are funded by the state. 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. 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

Admission Requirements Different courses and institutions have different entry criteria. Check with the institution you are applying to. Most tertiary institutions require you to prove that you have a reasonable grasp of the English language. Entry into colleges and universities in New Zealand requires 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. It is always best to apply three months to six 119

ZEALAND

Nearly 100,000 international students chose New Zealand for their studies abroad in 2012, contributing NZ $2 billion (US $1.64 billion) to the economy and supporting approximately 32,000 jobs.

10 NEW

System of Education Higher education in New Zealand resembles the British pattern. Students pursuing higher education in New Zealand need to have self

Application Process The education system in the country has been patterned on semesters. The ﬁrst semester starts during the month of February and is over by the end of June. The second semester starts in July and ﬁnishes in November. Some universities have a three semester pattern where the semesters begin in February, July and November.

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NEW

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 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

ZEALAND

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. The Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships Plan (CSFP) website has further information on Commonwealth Scholarships, including nominating agencies. Source: www.newzealandeducated.com

Visas The New Zealand Immigration Service only grants student visas for enrolment in an approved course at an institution that is accredited by NZQA or New Zealand Qualifications authority. 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. You would need to apply for your student visa along with this offer of place letter and supporting documents Visit the Embassy website for the specifics.

Souce and Websites of use www.studyinnewzealand.com www.mynz.com – Institutional proﬁles and information on studies in NZ. Specialist Agent: Education Zone Knowledge village, Building 2B, Oﬃce F30, Dubai, UAE Postal Address: P.O. Box 214592, Dubai, UAE Tel 009714 3910257 120

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ADVERTORIAL

Campus Overview: With a vision to provide quality education and to nurture human potential in UAE & neighboring countries, Birla Institute of Technology Offshore Campus RAK, started functioning since 2005 in RAK Free Trade Zone and presently has strategic partnership with CORE International Institute of Higher Education, FZE. BIT Offshore Campus at RAK offers Engineering, Architecture, Management & Commerce programs of globally recognized BIT Ranchi, India which is consistently been ranked as one of the top ten technical Universities of India. As per the latest survey, BIT Ranchi is ranked 2nd among all private engineering colleges in India (Outlook-MDRA 2013 Survey) Dept. of Engineering offers three year Diploma and four year Bachelor of Engineering programs in Mechanical Engg, Electricals & Electronics Engg, Electronics & Communication Engineering and Computer Science & Engg. After successful completion of 10th Standard, students can enroll for the Diploma program, which has a unique advantage of lateral entry into second year Bachelor in Engineering, for those who wish to complete their Bachelor of Engineering. Dept. of Architecture is the first overseas campus of any Indian university to offer Council of Architecture India approved five year B.Arch program. BITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s B.Arch program is ranked 5th among top ten Architecture programs in India (Eduways.in 2013 Survey). Highly updated B.Arch Course prepare students for creative manipulation and coordination of material, technology, light and shadow and develop their pragmatic aspects in realizing buildings and structures, including scheduling, cost estimating and construction administration. The program focuses on live projects, practical assignments, and international site visits to strengthen skills and competencies. Dept. of Management & Commerce offers three year BBA and B.Com undergraduate programs. It also offers two year full time MBA and weekend Executive-MBA program. The BBA program offers specialization opportunity in Finance, Marketing, HR and Information Technology. For a more information on the topics covered in our various Engineering, Architecture and Commerce programs, please visit our website www.biticrak.ae

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SINGAPORE

Over the years, Singapore has evolved from its traditional Britishbased education system to one that endeavours to meet the needs of individuals and seeks to nurture talents. The strength of Singapore's Education system lies in its bilingual policy (English with Malay/ Mandarin/ Tamil) and a broadbased curriculum where innovation and entrepreneurship command a premium. Despite its cosmopolitan population, its history as a centre of trade and entrepreneurialism positions it closer to the West than its neighbours. While Chinese, Malay, and Tamil are also official languages, English is widely spoken and understood by 75% of the five million population and is the officially designated language for the education system. Singapore has a successful free market economy with a vibrant life style. The cost of living in Singapore is relatively low and therefore the cost of tuition and living is not as prohibitive as some of the other countries. Most institutions offer merit based scholarships and unemployment rate is 2% as per 2011 estimates. Moreover, students can fast track programmes and transfer into parent campuses in UK or Australia. Singapore is a gate way to Asia. Its geographical position makes travel within the Asian region very easy and affordable. The education system in Singapore revolves around the premise that every student has unique aptitudes and interests. They adopt a flexible approach to allow you to develop your potential to the fullest. Contrary to international trends, Singapore is aiming to restrict the number of international students at its universities in the face of local 122

anxiety that too few places were available for nationals. Foreign enrolment at Singapore's universities will be capped while 2,000 new university places will be added for local students by 2015, so that the proportion of foreign students will come down from 18% of the student body to about 15%. At the tertiary level, apart from the

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Singapore’s two most prominent universities are highly regarded internationally with the National University of Singapore, a global leader, ranked 25th in the QS 2012–13 QS World University Rankings, making it the second highest Asian university behind the University of Hong Kong. Of its other ﬁve national universities, Nanyang Technological University is also a fastrising institution, reaching 47th in 2012–13. The four local universities in Singapore: 1. National University of Singapore (NUS) 2. Nanyang Technological University (NTU) 3. Singapore Management University (SMU) 4. Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)

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 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 Institutional websites for the details.

Fees and Funding Tuition fees vary widely between institutions and courses. International students can 123

SINGAPORE

four renowned locally grown universities, Singapore has attracted more than 10 world class institutions with strong industry links to set up centres of excellence in education and research. Among them are respected names such as the leading French university INSEAD, the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and leading US business schools such as University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Applications for entry and visa formalities are handled by the university to which you are applying. Each university has minimum entry requirements. The closing date for normal applications is in February of the year of entry.

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SINGAPORE

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 fees. While the tuition grant is not repayable, international students who have received it are required to work in Singapore after graduation to contribute to repayment. The period of the employment bond 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 Singaporeregistered company for three years after graduation.

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: Fulltime undergraduates are allowed to work parttime of up to 16 hours per week during term, and work fulltime 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 are 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 skillsbased 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.

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/postsecondary/ﬁles/postsecondarybrochure.pdf 124

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EDUCATION UAE

U.A.E Schools As people from over 152 nationalities reside in U.A.E, apart from the government funded state schools, there are various curricula on offer like the American, British, International Baccalaureate (IB), Indian, Australian, Canadian, German, French, Iranian, Pakistani, to name a few. More than 18 different education systems are offered in U.A.E. The number of CBSE Schools in the Gulf is more than 119, of these; the U.A.E has more than 50%

public school system in the Abu Dhabi Emirate, the private schools account for 184 institutions, with 165,020 students, of which 25% are Nationals, served by 9,445 teachers. According to Dubai statistics center, Dubai has 231 schools, of these, 78 are government run and 153 are private schools.

According to the National Qualiﬁcations Authority’s report the U.A.E. Education system, with increased budget allocations, there has been an increase in the number of UAE schools serving more students: from 1,256 schools (600,000 students) in the academic year 20072008 to over 1,350 schools (700,000 students) the next year. According to Abu Dhabi Education Council’s 2010 Fact book, in the Abu Dhabi Emirate alone, the 2010 ﬁgures show a total of 291,314 students distributed as follows: In the government school: 126,294 school students in 305 schools, with 10,758 teachers. 73% of the public school students are Nationals, since in 20062007 admission for expatriate students into the public schools was allowed, with fees levied to parents. Parallel to the

According to International school consultancy, the United Arab Emirates alone has 391 Int’l schools. Of the global total, 54% of international schools are operating in Asia. Number of students in public schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Western Region: 125,486 Number of students in private schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Western Region: 200,695 126

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languages, Social Studies, the 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.

Number of students in private schools in Dubai: 225,099. GN 1st Sept 2013

According to ISC Research, a company which maps the world's international schools, the Middle East was responsible for twothirds of global growth in international primary and secondary schooling in 2010/11, a year which saw a record number of schools and a record number of enrollments. The leading cities for international schools are Dubai with 175 schools, Doha with 101 international schools, Bangkok with 100 international schools and Karachi with 99. In Dubai alone, 143,661 students study in international schools taught by 11,453 Englishspeaking teachers. Some of the popular educational systems available here are describes below:

Group One Best language and additional language

International Baccalaureate

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.

The IB diploma is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education that prepares to 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

∙ Business and management ∙ Economics ∙ Geography ∙ History ∙ Islamic history

Group Three Individuals and societies

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MANIPAL UNIVERSITY, DUBAI

Manipal University (MU), Dubai (www.manipaldubai.com) is a branch campus of Manipal University, India. MU established its presence in Dubai, UAE in the year 2000 and has grown into a leading multi-disciplinary university in the Middle East attracting students not only from UAE but from across the GCC and the Middle East & Africa region. At present, Manipal University, Dubai enrols over 1,500 students from 26 nations across the globe and is the only Indian multi-disciplinary university in the region. Similar to its mother campus in India, the Dubai campus offers a variety of disciplines to pursue their undergraduate and graduate studies, ranging from laboratory &

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ADVERTORIAL

workshop intensive courses like Engineering, Information Technology & Bio Technology to creative and new-age disciplines like Interior Design and Media & Communications. The university also offers a highly hands-on, industry relevant program in Management at the undergraduate as well as at the mastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; level. The university has introduced new programs in Architecture, Hospitality Management & Automobile Engineering over the last 2 years.

The campus and all its programs are licenced and recognized worldwide for higher education or career opportunities. Facts and Figures Date Established: 2000 Number of Students: 1500 Nationalities represented: 33 Faculty to Student Ratio â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1:15 Degree Awarding Body: Manipal University, India Contact Details Manipal University, Dubai G 04, Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) PO Box: 345050, Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 4290 777; Email: admissions@manipaldubai.com

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EDUCATION UAE

Group Five Mathematics and computer science

∙ Information technology in a global society ∙ Philosophy ∙ Psychology ∙ Social and cultural . Anthropology

Group Four Experimental sciences

∙ Mathematical studies standard level ∙ Mathematics standard level ∙ Mathematics higher level ∙ Further mathematics standard level ∙ Computer science

∙ Biology ∙ Chemistry ∙ Design technology ∙ Environmental systems ∙ Physics

∙ Music ∙ Theatre Arts ∙ Visual Arts

Group 6 – The 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 indepth 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 130

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do activities related to each one of them separately.

"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.

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 Alevels. 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 .Worldwide over 1.5 million students enter IGCSE exams every year.

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 1416 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 PreU, as well as other progression routes. It incorporates the best in international education for learners at this level. It develops 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.

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

Assessment for Cambridge IGCSE includes written and oral tests, coursework and 131

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a year, in May/June and October/November. Results are issued in August and January.

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.

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

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 132

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EDUCATION UAE

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. Most institutions in America give credits to A level students.

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.

Source: www.cie.org.uk | www.edexcel.com | www.cie.org.uk

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 coordinates 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 .

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.

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.

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.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR Senior Secondary (Grade 11 and 12)

First Term April to June Second Term Sept. to November Third Term December to March

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.

The curriculum is so designed as to inspire the students to acquire and use the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in a multicultural, 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.

Marking Scheme: www.cbse.nic.in

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Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations

EDUCATION UAE

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.

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.

This makes for a total of 812 papers, depending on the subjects. The certiﬁcate has international equivalence and enables students to transfer to International Universities.

THE AMERICAN CURRICULUM IS BASED ON AMERICAN STANDARDS OF ACHIEVEMENT IN ALL SUBJECT AREAS, SUPPORTED BY A HUGE RANGE OF COCURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THAT ENSURE STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP FULLY AS INDIVIDUALS.

Source: icseguide.com 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 cocurricular activities that ensure students have the opportunity to develop fully as individuals. It includes enquirybased, handson teaching methods and learning strategies geared to individualized instruction. Any American curriculum refers to a broad and balanced Kindergarten to Year 12 [K12] 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 Indian Certiﬁcate of Secondary Education or ICSE examination is an examination conducted by the Council for the Indian School Certiﬁcate Examinations, a private, nongovernmental 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 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.

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 134

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n By Rema Menon Gulf News. August 18, 2013

To go or not to... for studies abroad Parental expectations, peer pressure, keeping up with the Joneses are all the wrong reasons to pursue a programme overseas To go or not to go?” This is the question most 16 yearolds are faced with when they reach high school, a time when higher education plans are made and the career quest begins. Until a few years ago, most expat families sent their children either to their home countries or westward to pursue higher education. With local options becoming increasingly available, tightening of emigration laws and the realisation that the dollar and pound are becoming dear in the currencies of their home countries, families are forced to rethink their plans. In my opinion, apart from these considerations, there is one key factor that needs to be given serious thought and that is the maturity level of the young adult. When the young person is not emotionally ready for the challenges of living in a new country, they may ﬁnd it intensely demanding. While making mistakes and learning from them shapes their personality and character, making him/her strong, some of these mistakes may prove to be costly. Parental expectations, peer pressure, keeping up with the Joneses are all the wrong reasons to pursue a programme overseas (the UK, the US,

Canada and Australia being top choices for UAE students).

Choices can be emotionally draining Young adults who have had limited exposure and a cloistered existence ﬁnd the transition to university overseas emotionally draining. The plethora of choices one has to make — whether in the classes one needs to enrol in or the meal plan one needs to opt for — makes it a trying time. Young adults who are used to having decisions made for them ﬁnd the choices more of a nightmare than an opportunity to learn and grow. Moreover, some students are not able to handle the freedom they enjoy. As parents, we need to understand that each child is unique and we need to prepare them adequately before they leave the nest. Filling out the forms, crafting the essays necessary, getting all the prerequisite tests out of the way and getting reasonable scores may help your child secure a place easily, but staying the course is the challenge. Securing a place in an Ivy League institution may give you bragging rights, but is it the right move for the young adult? 135

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Apart from this, in some educational systems like the North American system, there is a lot of academic freedom and one can pick and choose subjects as per one’s interest and career aspirations, while in others, there is limited ﬂexibility.

be a cultural block, it shouldn’t be so. Such support is an integral part of growing up and will facilitate transition. Both parents and young adults on the threshold of this momentous decision – ‘to go or not to go’ — have to examine, discuss and seek guidance either from school or outside so that crucial years are not adversely aﬀected. There is no dearth of local options if your child is illprepared for life abroad. The decision has to be well thought out bearing in mind the person’s maturity level and capabilities.

We need to factor in this feature while making the decision on where to study. Students who prefer a structured programme may ﬁnd the choices mindboggling and may keep shifting from programme to programme while others may feel conﬁned in a straight jacket.

Individualistic approach

The writer is Founder, Director, Counselling Point Training and Development, a KHDAapproved counselling centre based in Dubai.

Last month, I read an interesting book titled American Desi. What impressed me was not the writing style but the experiences described by the author. Those situations could have been replicated in the lives of my advisees. The students who think life in America is akin to TV shows like Friends, Big Bang Theory and One Tree Hill will have to think again. Real life and reel life are diﬀerent.

9 points to ponder: 1) Should educational plans be linked to long term residence plans (Migration/jobs) the prevailing rules and job situation need to be borne in mind along with immigration policies. 2) Financial planning and realistic aspirations need to form an integral part of the planning process. 3) Young adults should be given money management skills. 4) Research on all aspects of education both home and overseas need to be given priority. 5) Societal expectation and peer pressure should not be the criteria for education overseas. 6) Individual needs and capabilities along with aspirations should form the corner stone of selection of education destination. 7) Male students over 18 years of age need to be sponsored either by an employer or an educational institution to have a residence visa. Should he return from overseas for whatever reason, he can be here only temporarily (On tourist visa). 8) Loans, if any, need to be judiciously sought so that repayment is not a challenge. 9) Parents must be prepared to support any entrepreneurial ventures.

Universities treat young adults as adults and the spoon feeding they are used to in school and at home is no longer a given. Students are expected to seek help whether when homesick or when they are unable to understand the educational requirements or any other challenges they may face. As such, it can be overwhelming and bewildering for the young person. He/she would need to seek help from the professionals in the international oﬃce, or assistance from among the seniors. Most institutions have academic advisors who help you set goals, plan your course schedule, pick and drop courses, etc making academic life easier to handle. In parallel, there are student counsellors on campus who help deal with emotional challenges like home sickness, inability to adjust with a roommate, relationship and weight issues, to name a few. While seeking such assistance may 136

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e h t e k a m most of

N O I T A EDUC FAIRS

positions, open bitions, fairs, ex Education exhi portunities for shows are all op days and road yriad higher m r showcase thei to ns tio itu st in e students with ns. They provid education optio available in a specializations of y ra ar ng yi a dizz Actuarial ts varying from range of subjec s as diverse as ie tr un ology in co Sciences to Zo w Zealand. America to Ne

Such events could be a starting point for prospective students to learn about new and upcoming fields, entry requirements, and deadlines for applications for specific courses in different destinations.

15th October is the deadline for those hoping to pursue Medicine, Dentistry and veterinary Science in the UK. Furthermore, they may need to sit some prerequisite tests like UKCAT before sending out the applications. Similarly, for many US, Canadian and Singaporean universities SAT I or at times SAT II may be mandatory and an IELTS/ TOEFL score to demonstrate proficiency in English may be required. By becoming aware

For example, to secure a place in some UK universities that offer Law (LLB) one needs an LNAT. (National Admission Test for Law) Also, 137

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As more and more recent grads from UAE find it challenging to secure suitable job openings, the demand for post graduate programmes increase. Furthermore, expatriate male students over eighteen would need to return to their home countries unless they land jobs or enroll in a local institution.

EDUCATION DISSEMINATION

of the entry requirements sufficiently early, potential applicants get adequate time to plan their road map to college. As fees increase and stringent visa regulations come into effect in some study destinations, students search for newer options. Some fairs, not only offer on the spot admissions but also scholarships, in spite of recession. Given the current financial scenario, cost effective options are becoming increasingly sought after. Countries like Malaysia and New Zealand have therefore seen an increase in applications. Some students who are focused on Rankings complain that Ivy League institutions or highly ranked institutions rarely visit the region during such events. Some post graduate aspirants also bemoan the fact that most of the fairs cater to high school students and there is limited or no information on post graduate programmes. As more and more recent grads from UAE find it challenging to secure suitable job openings, the demand for post graduate programmes increase. Furthermore, expatriate male students over eighteen would need to return to their home countries unless they land jobs or enroll in a local institution. These are all factors that increase foot fall at the Fairs and Exhibitions. At EDUKEX, British Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Fair, more than 50 UK institutions exhibit both in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, giving potential 138

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POINTS TO NOTE:

•Research web sites of exhibitors before going to the Fair •Register online to avoid waiting in queue at the registration desk. •Collect relevant material for future reference •One cannot retain copious amounts of data so take notes •Keep an open mind even if your dream school is not on the exhibitor’s list •Visits to such events help one explore options, some new and unheard of •Exchange contact information with university rep for future reference • Make the most of the opportunity to learn, you owe it to yourself.

students and their parents a chance to explore a range of options with UK institutions facetoface in one place. In addition, visitors are also able to learn more about important issues such as applying for visas or taking the IELTS exam. Subjectspecific presentations such as studying engineering or Medicine in the UK are also available for those seeking professional courses. Some fairs promote only one study destination while at others like GETEX, NAJAH and the Sharjah Educational Expo, there is a mind boggling array of exhibitors and courses from various countries on offer; making it over whelming for some. At some Fairs there are dedicated career workshops, where industry professionals address visitors with information and inspiration to help them make better

decisions on their education or career path. Schools sometimes take students in large numbers to these events. Some students see it as a fun day outside the classroom, much to the dismay of their hassled teachers. Yet others compete to collect brochures, bags and other freebies. The Fairs provide a platform for likeminded people to meet, exchange ideas and discuss areas of mutual interest. Some life time friendships are born at these venues and some lifeimpacting decisions are facilitated as well. As change is the universal constant in today’s world, it has become necessary to have an open mind and equip ourselves with knowledge that helps us make judicious choices. The Fairs give us a chance to do just that! 139

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DEMAND RISES FOR STUDENTS IN ENVIROMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES As the UAE puts emphasis on environmental and healthcare issues, there is a demand for skilled graduates to fill positions. Graduates of environmental and healthcare management courses at Canadian University of Dubai are in higher demand than ever as world-wide pressure to ‘clean-up’ takes to the Middle East. Dr Rami El Khatib, who is the Chair of the School of Environment and Health Sciences, commented: “Many students see business as being a strong academic degree because of the amount of jobs in this sector – but it’s actually unbalanced and it is still hard for students to graduate with a guaranteed career. There is a known lack of healthcare and environmental professionals not only in the UAE but world-wide the job pool for this is constantly growing.” Although still a relatively new sector to the UAE, the environment is fast becoming a concern, with the government eager to fund this type of work. Over the past few years, initiatives such as the Emirate Environment Group’s ‘Clean-Up UAE’ have been striking up, with thousands of UAE residents taking part. Dr Rami added: “The country is involved with so many environmental and healthcare projects - from holding international conferences, community groups and initiatives, alongside the opening of Healthcare City. It doesn’t take much to see this sector is growing.” Environmental and health management study programmes are a mix of science and management courses. Environmental management majors look at areas such as

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ADVERTORIAL

water pollution, pest control, air pollution and wastes disposal, while healthcare studies looks at the administrative side of managing healthcare institutions, including hospitals. Students at the Canadian University of Dubai have a hands-on approach to learning. Most recently, a senior class completed a research project involving water analysis in Jumeirah that was published in an International journal. Dr Rami continued: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Canadian University was one of, if not the first private institution in Dubai to offer these courses. Now, they have started popping up at the other schools across the UAE. As a university cannot start a course without a high enough demand, you can see how expansive this sector is becoming.â&#x20AC;?

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EDU TECHNOLOGY

Making Learning

Fun Today’s students use the iPads to access educational websites and applications, as well as electronic textbooks. They use the iPad to take notes and the tablet’s camera to photograph whiteboards ﬁlled with teacher’s lessons and chemistry formulas. Some even record lectures using the iPad’s digital voice recorder or video camera, referring to them when they review for tests. Today, classrooms provide a “blended” education, which means students use a mix of technology and traditional tools to learn. Students 142

still learn how to write and do math on paper, but technology use rises as students get older and turn to the internet for research. I have put together some interesting articles that can help make learning fun both within the classroom and beyond.

2 Basic Ways How To Add Technology To Your Curriculum by Katie Lepi says, we know that many of our readers are already integrating a lot of technology into their classrooms. We

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hear from a lot of readers who are doing awesome stuﬀ, along with a slew of people who are oﬀering innovative products and classroom technology solutions. But using technology in the classroom is not easy or second nature for everyone. Some educators face the funding and accessibility issue – having to work with less technology than they’d like, while others are simply in a great comfort zone doing what they’ve been doing for many years in their classrooms. We have come up with the two easiest, most basic ways to start integrating technology into your classroom. Even for the most technologicallyaverse educators out there, these are easy to implement and don’t require a ton of knowhow.

Build Off Your Existing Lesson Plans What is the number one, easiest way to add some technology into an otherwise techbarren educational landscape? Take your existing lesson plans that you feel comfortable with, and add in a bit of technology. The technology component itself can be varied, you can use whatever devices you have (desktop, laptop, iDevices, tablets) and go from there. You can integrate videos to support the material you’re teaching, have a web based scavenger hunt, or even use a student response system. Use a few digital materials rather than handouts and books. Or, use a social media platform like Twitter or Instagram to have students share their work with a speciﬁc class or project hashtag. Even if the only device in the room is

yours, use it to simplify and streamline your grading (by using either an app or a service like Google Drive), and keep all of your important class documents in one place (like Google Drive or another cloud based service).

Get Started With Social Media Even if your students know more about social media than you do (and that’s ok!), getting started with social media isn’t that hard – and you can reap a lot of rewards (such as having very engaged and excited students, and expanding the reach of your classroom and teaching outside the walls and time restrictions of a traditional classroom). Twitter is a great place to start. Using a classroom Twitter account to keep students (and parents!) in the loop is simple and doesn’t require a ton of time or technical know how, and you can also use the classroom Twitter and hashtags to add a technology component to your lesson plans. Creating an online classroom space might be the next step – (like with 143

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Edublogs or WikiSpaces) – but requires a little more effort but offers more robust opportunities for students to engage online. Tom Daccord in his article “Helping teachers grasp mobile learning’s possibilities” says, ”In constructing edtech professional development, the focus should not be on teaching apps, but on helping educators grasp the possibilities inherent in mobile, personalized, and differentiated learning environments.” Although the iPad (and other mobile technology) is largely intuitive, incorporating it effectively into teaching and learning is by no means self evident. While teachers readily understand how to take a picture, shoot a video, or open a PDF, few immediately grasp the implications of these operations for transforming assessment, modeling exemplary practices, and nurturing creative selfexpression. Many struggle to conceive of effective iPad learning beyond their four walls or in networked communities. Professional development should inspire teachers to integrate the iPad as a portable media creation device that manifests student learning and nurtures essential skills for our digital age. Mobile environments that empower students to assume more control over their learning and demonstrate understanding through various media help embolden students to be proactive consumers and creative problem solvers. 144

Challengebased professional learning avoids creating a culture of dependency in which educators immediately turn to “experts” and ask them to “show me how to do it.” By providing both beginner and advanced challenges, participants work at their own pace, enabling strategies for diﬀerentiated learning. According to Tom Daccord, the director of EdTechTeacher, a leading professional learning organization, For edtech professional development to be truly meaningful and successful, it must explore the instructional possibilities for augmenting—and even redeﬁning— learning in digitalage classrooms. If we want teachers to integrate exemplary practices and inspire the next generation, we must prepare them in relevant mobile learning environments. What we should be asking teachers to do is not master devices or apps, but actually

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think about learning in new ways. The pathway to success is not a clickhere withme or a facile, “howto” approach. It is rethinking learning in the context of new possibilities. Even the school library is changing. Instead of a stuﬀy and silent space ﬁlled with books, today’s school libraries are becoming collaboration centers, where teachers and librarians work together to help students develop technology skills

WHEN COMPUTERS ARE READILY AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN, THOSE CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO USE TECHNOLOGY SUCH AS SEARCH ENGINES COMFORTABLY AS THEY COMPARE INFORMATION AND ENGAGE IN LEARNING. CHILDREN WITHOUT THE SAME EASY COMPUTER ACCESS ARE NOT ABLE TO JUDGE THE QUALITY OF INFORMATION FOUND ONLINE AS ADEQUATELY. and evaluate digital information. Over the past decade, studies have shown that students in schools with endorsed librarians earn higher scores on standardized reading tests, and those scores are higher regardless of students’ socioeconomic level. When computers are readily available to children, those children are able to use technology such as search engines compare they as comfortably information and engage in learning. Children without the same easy computer access are not able to judge the quality of information found online

as adequately. According to a recent report from the US, public libraries can serve as an extension of school libraries and can support early learning in important ways, including linking new digital technologies to learning and helping children develop “deeper learning” skills through literacy and STEMbased experiences. Today’s students joke about older generations using printed encyclopedias for reference projects, as many schools have added digital collections to augment their offerings. But it’s not just reference materials that are going digital: Entire book collections are as well. Students and teachers in the Van Meter Community School in Iowa have used the eBook platform MackinVIA for more than a year, and have access to roughly 900 eBook titles in the collection. In addition to eBooks, MackinVIA includes online databases as part of a “onestop” process and offers access to most titles simultaneously, so multiple students can use the same book at once. Using a “backpack” feature, students can select books they want to read and can store books and resources as part of school projects. Another feature on “How music technology can boost student skills” by how discusses Stansbury Meris Neuroscience proves brain thrives on learning music A new study reveals that music education student widespread offset can achievement gaps, enhance student learning skills, and promote better brain function later in life. Now, new music technology can provide students with music education at little to no cost. “We are what we do,” said Nina Kraus, Hugh Knowles professor and principal investigator at the Auditory Neuroscience

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Lab at Northwestern University. “And the brain helps prove that.” According to Kraus’s research, as well as years of previous research, when music is played, the brain’s neurons produce an electrical mirror of the sound heard. Also fascinating is the brain’s dependence on experience. For example, if the brain hears a few notes of a song it recognizes, even if the song stops playing, the brain will often continue mirroring the next few notes of the song. “What this proves to us is that music experience enhances sound processing, and this is applied to language skills,” said Kraus. Learning music also boosts communication skills (hearing in noise, auditory working memory, auditory attention, and rhythm) and biological functions (the way the brain processes and identiﬁes consonants, speech in noise, and patterns of rhythm), said Kraus. “And all of these processes are necessary for literacy.” She also noted that the skills students 146

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learn while studying music don’t diminish the effects on the brain later in life. “The brain continues to profit even after you stop playing music. Fortyfive young adults at Northwestern [University] participated in a study that showed if a person had five or more years of music education he or she is able to process sound more accurately and filter out noise,” she said. “Music has the power to shape human brain function within one’s lifespan,” she concluded. “We really are what we do.” Today’s students need more than just instruction in the core topic areas. They also need to develop key 21stcentury skills that will serve them well in a globally competitive, information based society, such as problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. These skills will be critical for success. You can’t even work at a McDonald’s without using a touch screen. … If we don’t change how we teach, it’s a disservice to our kids.” Source: eschool news

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When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know PEACE

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