International students from the UAE choose challenging programs in AI and medicine at foreign institutions
UAE students heading to study in other countries for the new academic year are prioritizing educational quality, program suitability, and student experience over geopolitical events, according to a recent report.
In fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) and medicine, the primary factors influencing students' decisions to study abroad are centered on the quality of education, including university reputations, program structure, and student support. Geopolitical issues, such as US vetting policies or international tensions, were not significant in their choice of study destinations.
This trend was evident in the case of Medha Mesri, an 18-year-old Indian living in the UAE, who will be studying medicine at the University of Buckingham in the UK. Other factors that influenced her decision were a smaller cohort size, early clinical exposure, a diverse international student body, and a supportive learning environment.
Similarly, Emirati Abdulrahman Majed, 22, chose to study AI in Malaysia at UTeM (Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka) due to a desire to learn about new cultures and experience life in a Muslim country with a strong educational system.
The number of students studying abroad globally increased by 50% between 2015 and 2022, with more than 8,000 UAE residents studying in British institutions, a number that has almost doubled since six years ago.
However, Rema Vellat, director of education consultancy Counselling Point, warned that if a role requires local experience, studying overseas might not be the right fit. If a degree does not require local experience, studying overseas can be a great boost for the student, she added.
The US administration's clampdown on international student visa processing caused dismay across campuses in the US and among people hoping to study there. The US government has decided to freeze overseas student interviews and plan to begin vetting their social media accounts.
Despite these challenges, the US hosted a record 1.1 million international students in 2023-2024. Emirati Fahad Sameer, 21, is entering his second year studying software engineering in the University of Southampton in the UK. Abdulrahman Majed expressed excitement about studying abroad, stating it has been a great opportunity for personal and academic development.
International student mobility forecasts indicate increasing competition among study destinations, with the UK gaining interest as US policies become more restrictive. Students are responsive to visa policies and funding availability; however, for UAE students in particular, recent US visa vetting changes did not deter their choices, contrasting with trends seen in other international student populations.
In conclusion, UAE students are prioritizing their academic and career goals when choosing study abroad destinations, focusing on educational quality and environment rather than geopolitical events. This distinction highlights a divide between educational mobility motivations and broader geopolitical competition in AI and related fields.
References:
- The National
- The Conversation
- Times Higher Education
- The Guardian
- Brookings Institution
- Regardless of geopolitical tensions, the quality of education remains a key factor for students in fields like artificial intelligence and medicine, as they endeavor to study abroad.
- Students' choices of study destinations are influenced by factors such as university reputation, program structure, and student support, rather than geopolitical issues like US vetting policies or international tensions.
- Medha Mesri, an Indian student living in the UAE, prioritized the University of Buckingham in the UK for her medicine studies because of factors like smaller cohort size, early clinical exposure, and a supportive learning environment.
- In contrast, Abdulrahman Majed, an Emirati student, opted to study AI in Malaysia, driven by a desire to immerse himself in new cultures and study in a Muslim country with a strong educational system.
- The number of students studying abroad increased significantly between 2015 and 2022, with many UAE residents pursuing education in British institutions; however, the US's stricter visa processing and social media account vetting have sparked concerns among students and aspiring international students.
- Despite these restrictions, UAE students continue to prioritize their academic and career goals over geopolitical events, choosing destinations based on educational quality and environment, particularly in the field of AI and related fields.
