Latest news with #KTUniExpo
Khaleej Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
KT UniExpo: Why UAE parents are now reluctant to send their kids abroad to study
An increasing number of parents are choosing to not send their children abroad for studies and instead opting for educating them in the UAE. One expert at the KT UniExpo said only 20-30 per cent of the total number of people she met during the two-day fair were interesting in sending their children abroad for studies. 'The first question by whoever came to our stands was whether we were Dubai-based,' said Vera Hubner, Chief Marketing Officer of Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, a German business school. 'When we said no, only 20 to 30 per cent of the total visitors showed interest in going abroad.' She said a lot of parents were hesitant to send their children away due to various reasons, including visas and safety. 'A lot of parents are not prepared to let their children travel too far away and want to keep them close,' she said. 'Their ability to obtain visa is another factor." She added that to counter this, the institute was planning to open a branch in Dubai. 'It would be a great hub for us and cater to parents from the Indian subcontinent who would be willing to send their children to Dubai because it is safe and it is just a short distance away,' she said. Another university that is looking to open a local campus is American Kean University. Located in New Jersey, the university offers a wide range of courses in engineering, business and psychology. 'We are looking for some local partners to expand our business here,' said T. Itunu Balogun, Vice President of Innovation and Engagement at the university. 'A lot of students are not ready to leave their families and move away to the US and we think having a local educational institute would be great for such people.' Some parents expressed concerns about sending their children abroad for their studies. Kavita M., a parent who attended the event, said her 16-year-old son had wanted to purse computer engineering in the US but she was unsure about it. 'We had looked at several American universities and had shortlisted a few but with the current political uncertainty, I am not really sure I want him to go there,' she said. 'We looked at a few European universities too but with fears of an economic recession and with a lot of students being unable to find jobs in many of those places, I don't see a point in that either. I came here looking to learn more about universities in the UAE and I was quite surprised. There are many foreign universities offering a world-class education. So we have a lot to think and discuss about now.' According to Mokhammad Mashavipov, student recruitment junior officer at Canadian University Dubai, there has been a drop in demand of students wanting to transfer to Canada. 'After the Covid pandemic, the number of students wanting to go to Canada has reduced,' he said. 'However, there are still a small group who want to go there and find jobs there.' Strong demand However, Ketevan Karbaia, Director of International Relations Department at Caucasus University, said she has seen a strong interest amongst parents for the medical programme that the institute offers in Georgia. 'Georgia has become a very popular destination for medical studies in recent times,' she said. 'We also have a lot of interest in the double degree programme that we offer in partnership with some universities in the US and UK which gives students the chance to transfer to these countries.' The university partners with Ceeco Education Support Services in the UAE to help students with the enrollment, visa and education services.
Khaleej Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
KT UniExpo Day 2: AI, machine learning taking over classrooms, say education experts
With advances in artificial Intelligence and machine learning going at breakneck speed, several universities are doing everything they can to ensure that new technology is taught in their classrooms in an effort to make students more ready for the future. According to Prof. Shantanu Roy, Executive Director, IIT Delhi – Abu Dhabi, this is a 'moment of possibility' for students. 'Technology is reshaping every industry, and traditional career paths are being disrupted,' he said. 'Talent is no longer confined by borders — it's fluid, digital, and deeply interconnected. In this rapidly evolving landscape, higher education must transform. At IIT Delhi - Abu Dhabi, we view this as a moment of possibility, not just for our students but for the region and the world. He added that IIT Abu Dhabi was building programmes 'rooted in research' and that was 'responsive' to the needs of the industry. 'Whether it's clean energy, water security, AI, or health tech, our students and faculty work on solutions that matter,' he said. 'They'll collaborate across disciplines, cultures, and borders. They'll graduate with knowledge and the ability to lead in a world of constant change. The future of education is not in silos — it is collaborative, inclusive, and globally networked.' His comments came on the second day of the KT UniExpo, which saw thousands of students and parents interact with over 35 universities to learn more about future educational and career prospects. Industry inputs At the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani – Dubai campus, education about new technology is integrated into every classroom, irrespective of the course students are enrolled in. 'AI, robotics, blockchain and machine learning are all very important topics in today's world,' said Geethu Menon, Admissions Executive at the university. 'So these subjects are taught irrespective of which course the students are registered in. Any student can choose these electives across disciplines. This is to ensure that no matter which degree they are choosing, they have a basic understanding of the topics that will be important in the future.' At the Vellore Institute of Technology, one of the most prestigious engineering colleges in Asia, instructors keep a close contact with alumni in various fields to ensure that the latest technology is incorporated into teaching. 'We have over 300,000 alumni all over the world and most of them are C-suite professionals,' said Dr. Deepa Madathil, Professor and Director of Outreach at the university. 'They give us a lot of input on what the latest technology is so that students can be made industry ready. From the first semester, we train students in the latest technology. The university, which recently launched its first international campus in Mauritius has seen very high interest for their computer engineering program with specialisations in data science, AI and machine learning. Student needs and soft skills AI has also made its way into the devices that students use. According to Nabeel Noorudden, a promoter for HP, there is a high demand for devices which combine multiple capabilities in a single place. 'In a traditional laptop, you only see CPU or GPU,' he said. 'Now we have something called NPU or neural processing unit in our laptops. This is going to help users to do more tasks with a better battery backup. We have integrated AI into 48 types of NPU in our new Omnibook flip, which has become very popular among students.' Soft skills Several universities highlighted that it was important to train students in soft skills for the workplace. A spokesperson for Symbiosis International University Dubai said that it was important for students to learn soft skills right from the first semester. 'We make sure they have soft skills in addition to technical skills,' said Shreebha Pillai, Head of Admission and Promotions. 'We prepare students to be confident in public speaking, how to build a CV, how to attend interviews and so on.'
Khaleej Times
17-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
KT UniExpo Day 2: Some graduates awaiting school results start exploring university options
New courses, on-the-spot admission sign-up opportunities and attractive scholarships awaited students visiting the KT UniExpo on its second day. The event, which brought together over 35 universities, began in Dubai on Wednesday, April 16. At the Emirates Aviation University, students had the opportunity to sign up for various programmes and avail a Dh10,000 early bird discount for the September intake, provided they register before May 31. The university is also offering new courses including a PhD program in aviation management and data science. A spokesperson said that they conducted market studies to design courses according to demand. 'We have seen a lot of demand for AI and data science, so we developed this programme two years ago,' said Israa Yousef, admissions officer at the university. 'We reworked the whole curriculum of our bachelor's in software engineering and introduced a new program called BSc in computer science, with concentrations in AI and data science.' She added that the PhD programme, which has two intakes a year, has seen a lot of interest and is currently full. The institute is also offering a bachelor's program in artificial intelligence and data science with project-based learning and real world problem solving including ethical AI integration. Immense response Several exhibitors said that they were impressed with the turnout on Day 1, when thousands of students from schools across the UAE visited the event. Some said they ran out of brochures and had to bring in more during the day due to the high number of visitors. A spokesperson for the Rochester Institute of Technology said that he had several students who had just graduated school coming to visit the stand. 'We had a handful of students who had graduated from Grade 12 and were waiting for their results,' he said. 'This means an immediate conversion for us for our September intake. We have also seen a good interest from other students for our next year's intake.' The American university offers various programmes in engineering, management, finance, cybersecurity and new media design among others. Scholarships Other institutes, like IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi, are offering attractive scholarships to local students. UAE nationals who meet certain conditions stand the chance of getting a full scholarship as well as a monthly stipend and transport allowance. International students, including Indian expats, can get scholarships based on the GPA they maintain during the college year. Others who get admitted to the prestigious institute after writing the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced, one of the toughest competitive exams in the world, can take advantage of the same reduced tuition fee that would be applicable to them at IIT Delhi's New Delhi campus. They are also eligible for a monthly stipend.
Khaleej Times
16-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
KT UniExpo: UAE educators say psychology, AI among most popular courses
According to experts, courses in artificial intelligence, robotics and psychology are among the most popular in students over the last few years. Many stated that since the pandemic, there has been a huge focus on mental health, bringing psychology back into the spotlight. 'A lot of the students that came to us were looking for computer engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, robotics and psychology,' said a spokesperson from Symbiosis International University. 'The business programmes are also very popular. Most of the students are now looking for psychology as a field.' Razeena Hisham, assistant manager of student recruitment at London South Bank University agreed that robotics and AI had seen a lot of interest. 'A lot of students realise that the future is going to be driven by AI and that is a field they want to get into,' she said. 'They are looking at data analytics, cybersecurity and fintech courses. Newer offerings like digital forensics has also become very popular in recent times.' She was speaking on the sidelines of the KT UniExpo which began in Dubai on Wednesday, April 16. The two-day event will offer thousands of students the option to register for courses, learn more about universities and explore career options. Taking place on April 16 and April 17 at The H Dubai between 8am and 6pm, the event offers free entry for students and parents. It brings together over 35 universities that offer a wide variety of courses ranging from medicine and engineering to aviation and fashion design. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Surge of psychology According to many experts at the event, psychology has seen a huge spike in interest. Bhakti Reen, recruitment manager at De Montfort University explained. 'Ever since the Covid pandemic, there has been an increased focus on psychology,' she said. 'Earlier it was just psychology as a whole but now it is being branched out into several different categories.' The university offers psychology, psychology with criminology and psychology with health and wellbeing in society — all three leading to three very different pathways and career options. At London South Bank University, psychology was offered along with HR to help students find jobs in corporates. 'It is a combination of goals and helps students get into counseling psychology rather than clinical psychology,' said Razeena. 'This opens a wide range of opportunities for them.' Prepared students Another exhibitor, Kean University was recruiting students for their US-based campus and are hoping to partner with some UAE-based institutes. 'Most of the students that we met are very well prepared,' said La Toro Yates, Vice President for Enrollment Services. 'They have done their research and know what they want. They also have a lot of financial literacy and talk about the costs and scholarships offered. They are very smart and very well-prepared for the future.' He added that there was a lot of interest in their campus in both US and China from the students that attended the event.
Khaleej Times
16-04-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
KT UniExpo: Universities offer scholarships, study-abroad options to attract students
With artificial intelligence and machine learning changing workplaces at breakneck speed, many universities present at KT UniExpo are offering scholarships, study-abroad options and flexible methods of learning to attract students and ensure they are well prepared for future jobs. Over 35 educational institutes were present at the first day of the expo held at The H Dubai on Wedensday. At the Dubai campus of University of Europe for Applied Sciences, students have the opportunity to move to one of four German cities to complete their education. 'We facilitate the transfer to Germany where they can finish their course,' said Paul Riad, Student Advisory Manager. 'We also help them to learn the German language, even though three out of our four campuses teach in English. Germany needs skilled workers so we help our students apply for job seeker visas. We support them in every way possible." He added that scholarships were a critical deciding factor for students and parents. 'Affordability is a big factor, so we provide scholarships to many of our students,' he said. 'Our fees are very competitive when compared to several other universities in the country.' He was speaking on the sidelines of the KT UniExpo which began in Dubai on Tuesday. The two-day event has returned for its eighth edition where thousands of students and parents can meet with representatives of over 35 educational institutes to explore future university and career options. Flexible learning methods The Dubai College of Tourism is one of the institutes that is giving flexible methods of learning to all its students. Offering certifications in hospitality, tourism, events and culinary arts, the vocational college focuses more on internships and on-the-job experience than in-class study. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. 'We require our students to complete mandatory internships,' said Manzar Waseem, Instructor and admissions officer. 'During the first year, they need to complete six weeks of internships and every following year they have to complete a 4-month internship.' He explained that any student which finds employment during the course of the internship can choose to go work. 'If at any point, they want to come back and complete their studies, they can do that with gap years,' he said. This year the institute has also introduced a one-week summer enrichment program for students from Grade 9 upwards to get taster sessions in their offerings. Integrated courses At the Dubai Institute of Design Innovation, combination degrees are offered in an effort to make students future-ready. 'We offer majors in product, fashion, multimedia and strategic design management,' said a spokesperson. 'Nearly 85 per cent of the current jobs will not be there in the future and in the field of design, everything is going digital. So we are trying to offer integrated courses in a way that students can specialise in multiple fields and apply in a wide range of jobs. For example, product design can be used in the medical field.'
