UAE tops regional education list, Unesco study shows

DUBAI // The UAE tops a list of Arab countries regarding the ratio of inbound versus outbound students, says the Unesco Institute for Statistics (UIS).

Presently, 34,122 foreigners study in the UAE, compared with 7,719 local students who are studying abroad, the study shows. Qatar is in second place after the UAE.

In most Arab countries, the number of locals moving overseas for studies far outpace the number of inbound students. Morocco, Tunisia and Djibouti have the worst such imbalance.

The UIS figures are a primary source of cross-national education statistics and were highlighted by Carian College Advisors, an independent educational consultancy.

The consultancy has offered four scholarships for high-school students in the UAE. It has asked high-school seniors to write a 500-word essay about why they want to pursue an undergraduate education in the United States.

The winner will have unlimited access to Carian consultants and assistance with up to 14 university applications.

Three runners-up will get weekly meetings with consultants and assistance with up to 10 applications.

“The number of students in the UAE attending university in the United States is on the rise,” said Peter Davos, the firm’s managing director.

“The scholarship competition allows students considering the US for higher studies to critically analyse the benefits of US education and to begin preparing for the rigorous application process.

“We are therefore pleased to offer UAE students an opportunity to receive scholarships for Carian’s services so that they are well informed about education facilities in US universities.”