Omani Students "Banned" From Two UAE Colleges

Omani students are being banned from attending two UAE higher education following an announcement by the Omani educational authorities. The ban applies to the Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST) and the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies in Dubai. Its imposition follows a study conducted by Oman’s Committee on Qualifications for Institutions [CQI] which found that graduates of both colleges had a very low success rate in securing employment.

Ajman University was founded in 1988. A campus in Fujairah opened in 2000. Dubai’s College of Islamic and Arabic Studies was established in 1986 and is based in Al Karama. It runs courses for foreign students, including non-Muslims, in Arabic, French and English.

According to AUST around 10,000 students have graduated from AUST since 1990 and 749 are still enrolled.

Speaking to UAE’s The National newspaper Dr Natasha Ridge, head of research at the Al Qasimi Foundation in Ras Al Khaimah, pointed to a broader requirement for improved regulation at UAE universities. This is necessary “so that we can comply with international standards and continue to attract students from overseas. We need greater consistency across the GCC to allow students to move more freely between countries,” said Dr Ridge.