Zayed University welcomes 19 nations

The Abu Dhabi university has had its widest intake of foreigners this year, with 19 nationalities represented alongside the Emirati student population.

DUBAI // Zayed University has had its widest intake of foreigners this year, with 19 nationalities represented alongside the Emirati student population.

It is the second year that the federal university has opened its doors to foreign students, part of a wider diversification in which the Dubai campus welcomed its first men. The university was established 13 years ago for Emirati women.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and president of Zayed University, said: "We are extremely pleased with the interest and recognition Zayed University has received internationally."

The students, from countries including Kuwait and Swaziland, study in disciplines from arts and sciences to international studies.

Dan Johnson, provost, said: "We want to attract international students to bring their experience, ideas and backgrounds to our campuses. We all learn from one another and this is one way we can foster greater knowledge and understanding among nationalities and cultures."

The Higher Colleges of Technology, the largest federal university, has no room for international students, said its provost, Mark Drummond.

UAE University has taken students from the GCC for around 33 years, at no cost to them, as a "service" to the region, said its provost, Rory Hume.