The Ras al Khaimah branch of George Mason University is set in a quiet area a few minutes' drive from the city, but that is not the only reason for the tranquil surroundings - there is a shortage of students. Despite the attractions of an American degree, the first UAE branch of a US university attracted fewer than 40 undergraduates to study subjects including finance, management and international business in 2006-07. This was about a fifth of the number expected in its first year.
Numbers doubled to 83 last year and the university hopes to double them again when courses begin this month. There will also be about 70 students on an English programme to bring language skills up to the level required for studying in English. Professor Zaid Adib Ansari, the acting vice president of George Mason's RAK campus - the fourth vice president in three years - said early growth predictions had been unrealistic.
"The really important lesson we've learnt is that building a university is a slow, meticulous process," he said. "A part of our anxiety was that our expectations were a little bit out of sync with how long it really takes. "We're actually not doing that bad in terms of the number of students, because this is just the third year." George Mason has 30,000 students at its main campus in Fairfax, Virginia, and its other three locations in the US.
One problem in RAK has been securing students with sufficient skills in English. George Mason requires a score of 570 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). This is higher than some universities in the US require, meaning many people have to go through the preparatory English programme. Another issue, Prof Ansari said, was that RAK was not seen as an exciting place for students.
"There is one mall and another mall under construction," he said. "There are a couple of dance clubs for young people, but there are a lot of outdoor activities. "I think there's more perhaps for students interested in exploring the environment and outdoors, and activities related to cultural artefacts." Despite the slow start, Prof Ansari is confident the RAK enterprise will be successful. He said the school maintains academic standards and is hiring well-qualified staff.
The campus recently secured a licence from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and applications jumped by more than a quarter. Interest should grow further when the academic programmes secures ministry accreditation, says Prof Ansari, and another boost is expected once construction starts on a new campus, to be based around the present site. The university also plans to launch a master's degree and possibly PhD programmes.
George Mason's experiences mirror those of another American university, Michigan State, which opens a branch in Dubai International Academic City this month. Michigan State, based in East Lansing, Michigan, has more than 46,000 students and nearly 5,000 academic staff in the US. In Dubai, it has relaxed its English-language requirements, following difficulties in finding students with the required skills.
These new students will have to take an extra English course. "We believe education is important and we cannot penalise a person because they're close but they did not quite make it," said a spokesman. "We've taken the view that we should help people." The university may also take another look at the courses it offers, as it does not have the general business programmes popular in the UAE. Subjects currently offered include computer engineering, construction project management and family community services.
"There's more of a business focus in Dubai on the part of students. Our programmes have a business component but not general business," she said. Dubai's rapid increase in property prices forced the university to increase its housing charge from Dh22,000 per year to Dh31,000, for three students sharing a flat, although the spokesman said no students had pulled out as a result. "An American degree is highly respected, but it's just getting all the parts correct," the spokesman said. "That's a challenge for any institution new to the region. We are offering a niche-type of programme and not everybody is aware that this is available. The awareness will grow and our programme offerings will increase as well next year."
Michigan State hopes to grow its UAE campus to about 1,000 students, although this might take longer than the four years initially predicted. "It is not clear where we will be next year, but I believe we'll be far ahead of where we are now," the spokesman said. "People have a year to digest this brand." @Email:dbardsley@thenational.ae
