1. EAIE Annual Conference 2011, Copenhagen Perils, pitfalls and new opportunities in international education Case study: The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
Stephen Wilkins

2. THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)
Population: 5.1 million
Main Cities: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
Centres for international higher education: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah
Number of private higher education institutions: 69
(Source: CAA, 2011)
Number of international branch campuses: 40+

3. INTERNATIONAL BRANCH CAMPUSES IN THE UAE - EXAMPLES
Australia
University of Wollongong – est ,352 students ( )
Murdoch University - est. 2008
France
Paris-Sorbonne - est fully funded by Abu Dhabi government
Switzerland
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) - est in RAK
United Kingdom
Heriot-Watt University - est. 2005
Middlesex University - est ,700 students
United States
New York University - est fully funded by Abu Dhabi government

4. OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
IN THE UAE
Large expatriate population with few alternatives for higher education in the UAE
Insufficient capacity in the state education system
Incentives and funding from UAE government
Source of revenue for institutions
Facilitates two-way movement of students between home and branch campuses
Meets the needs of local employers and economy
Contributes to raising quality of UAE higher education

5. POTENTIAL PERILS AND PITFALLS FOR INSTITUTIONS
Very competitive market – failure to meet student enrolment targets
Financial loss – costs higher, revenues lower than expected
Quality of students
Quality of academic staff
Quality assurance concerns – learning resources and assessment
Difficult to offer a student experience that is comparable with the home campus
Unpredictable regulatory regime
Potential loss of reputation and damage to brand image

6. Questionnaire – hard copy or online version
STUDY 1: Why do students choose to study at international branch campuses?
STUDY 2: How satisfied are students at international branch campuses with their overall student experience?
(Wilkins, Balakrishnan and Huisman – not yet published)
Questionnaire – hard copy or online version
Data obtained by students using social media and
Sample sizes: 320 and 247
Several branch campuses – 3 US, 2 UK, 1 Australian
Undergraduate and postgraduate students
85-90% students studying Business/Management/Computer Science/Information Technology

7. Home campus of Western university International branch campus
P1 push factors from home country
Lack places
Low quality
Subjects not available
Economic/social problems
P2 push factors
Lack places
Low quality
Subjects not available
Ineligibility to enter state institutions
P1 pull factors
Reputation of country for quality
Reputation of institution
High rankings
English speaking country
Prospects international labour mkt.
Experience a new culture
P2 pull factors
Convenience
Country-specific advantages
Better than state institutions
Prospects in local labour market
More familiar/comfortable with culture/lifestyle in UAE
Home campus of Western university
International branch campus

8. STUDENT SATISFACTION AT BRANCH CAMPUSES IN THE UAE
Indicator
% students agreeing with statementa
So far, my course has met all of my expectations
64.4%
I am very satisfied with my university and would definitely choose it again
66.5%
My choice of university was a wise decision
72.0%
My programme offers good value for money
65.6%
I would recommend my university to friends
67.3%
a Scores of 5-7 on the 7-point rating scale.

9. Scorecard Programme effectiveness – 7.1 / 10
Quality of lecturers and teaching – 7.2 /10
Student learning – 7.1 / 10
Assessment and feedback – 7.2 / 10
Learning resources – 7.1 / 10
Use of technology – 7.1 / 10
Facilities and quality of social life – 7.2 / 10

10. AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
Need more contact with lecturers (17.9%)
Do not receive detailed and helpful feedback on my work (20.7%)
Lecturers not sympathetic when I have problems (18.7%)
My university does not provide a lot of leisure activities and entertainment for students (17.5%)
My university does not have a lot of clubs and societies for students (15.9%)
There is not a lively social scene on campus (15.8%)
My university does not have a good careers advice and internships service (16.6%)

11. CONCLUSION
Generally high levels of student satisfaction across all UAE branch campuses represented in the survey
Student satisfaction scores in this study lower than similar studies in UK (e.g. Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2011)

12. Any questions or comments?
The end
Any questions or comments?