6 out of Every 10 Students from UAE Who Study Abroad Choose the US

Referrals to US universities begin at home, says Consultancy’s MD
Dubai, UAE, 15 July 2014 – Carian College Advisors, an American education consultancy based in Dubai, has revealed that 6 out of every 10 UAE students currently studying in the US were strongly encouraged by one of their parents or siblings to pursue their undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in America.
The consultancy says that these students have their hearts set on studying in the US; that is their foremost concern, deciding which institution is secondary. In most cases, the choice has a lot to do with the opinion of parents or elder siblings who convey their first-hand experience and thereby inspire the students follow in their footsteps.

“The most desirable study options among UAE students this year are Business and Management, Engineering, and Math and Computer Science”, explained Peter Davos, Managing Director, Carian College Advisors.
Davos said: “Among UAE nationals, we see a definite trend of choosing the US for higher education, influenced by their parents or siblings. This is clear evidence that many of the referrals to universities begin at home and this is a direct endorsement of the US education system.”
He added: “It is remarkable how older UAE students (parents or siblings) maintain connections with their peers even after they leave universities or reconnect through social media. Most of them retain an emotional attachment to the place where they studied many years ago and take pride in referring their children to same university or state.”
Commenting on criteria for choosing the US as an education destination, Davos said: “Based on recommendations from fathers or siblings, UAE nationals look at quality of education as a main factor when selecting their destination of study as well as the prevailing cultural milieu.”
With over 4,000 degree-granting institutions of higher learning in the US in 50 states, Carian College Advisors caters to the varied needs and preferences of UAE students. Davos’ consultancy offers a range of admission counseling services for UAE students targeting the US for further studies.
Davos stated: “There is strong emphasis in the US on the holistic development of the individual and this is passed on to aspiring students by their parents who endorse that US education sharpens students’ personalities, broadens their views, and widens their vision and perspective on life.”
American universities encourage self-exploration and self-development and view them as an inherent part of an undergraduate education. Students at American universities are allowed to choose a minor, double major, or triple major of their choice, as long as they fulfill the stipulated course requirements. It is this freedom of choice that most attracts students to study in America.
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Editor’s Note:
Carian College Advisors is a specialist US education consultant that offers a range of admission counselling services for students in the UAE. Headed by Peter Davos (MSt Oxon, MDesS Harvard), Carian College Advisors is one among the few education consultants in the country that specialises in offering admission-counselling services for universities exclusively in the United States. Carian College Advisors can assist with the entire or specific parts of the application process, such as college list creation, the submission of a personal statement, supplemental essays, letters of recommendation, summary list of extracurricular activities, description of past summer experiences, and the completion of a college interview.


Space Experts Highlight the Role of Dubai Sat-1, Dubai Sat-2 & Khalifa Sat in Country’s Progress

EIAST successfully holds workshop at RTA to promote outer space technology in UAE
UAE, July 14, 2014 The Emirates Institution for Advanced Science and Technology (EIAST), successfully conducted a workshop at the head office of the UAE Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) recently as part of its strategic initiatives to promote the institution and its milestones as well as raise public awareness of outer space technology. The workshop was held at the RTA Auditorium and was attended by officials and employees from RTA’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Center.

During the workshop, space experts Ammar al Muhairi, Mohamed Bin Neshooq, Hessa Al Matrooshi, Eman Al Tunaiji, and Ghariba Salem made presentations about EIAST, its space programs, and its two fully functioning satellites – the Dubai Sat-1 and Dubai Sat-2. Their discussions revolved around various topics such as the remote sensing change detection, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Dubai Sat-2’s image specifications, image classification, and EIAST’s image enhancement and analysis tool. They also shared the 3D images captured by the satellites with the audience.
Further, the delegation tackled EIAST’s ongoing Khalifa Sat project, which is being developed by a team of Emirati engineers. Khalifa Sat will be launched into outer space in 2017. At the end of the workshop, an open forum was held to enable EIAST personnel to address questions and clarifications from the participants.
H.E. Yousuf Al Shaibani, Director General, EIAST, said: “The recently concluded workshop staged at the RTA was one of the many initiatives that we plan to do to raise public awareness of space science and technology. At EIAST, we want to educate the public about the role of space science in their everyday lives and how crucial it is in Dubai’s overall development and progress. During the event, our delegation did not only tackle EIAST’s landmark achievements but also how RTA could use and apply the data being captured by Dubai Sat-2 in its operations. Through this workshop and future events, we hope to generate the interest of the general population, especially the young Emiratis, to join us in our ultimate goal to position UAE as a global leader in the field of science and technology.”
EIAST was established by the Dubai Government in 2006 to encourage scientific innovation and technological progress in Dubai and in the UAE. It also aims to develop the scientific skills and knowledge of Emiratis. It is mainly involved in outer space research and development; satellite manufacturing and systems development; space imaging; and ground station services and support for other satellites.