Western-accredited universities are gradually taking over Middle East and reinventing higher education all over the globe. Here are five reasons why it could yield highly positive results:
Long-term funding
The Arabian Peninsula continues to spout black gold that is spent on record-breaking buildings, custom-made Bentleys and creating artificial snowfields. In simpler words, the Arabs have no clue where to spend all their money. Therefore, long-term funding is the last issue that could trouble universities situated in the Middle East. As a result, the students, both foreign and local, are subsidised and provided with financial aids along with fairly-high merit scholarships. The students who manage to secure top positions in their batch also have the opportunity to receive a tuition fee waiver.
Smaller enrollment numbers
Fewer enrollments result in an equitable teachers-to-students ratio. Hence, these western universities help in sharing the burden of giant national universities that become saturated while also promoting as well as maximising interaction between students and teachers. Moreover, it will also provide students the opportunity to obtain a decent education according to the American model.
Degree of competitiveness
In the year 2014, NYU Abu Dhabi accepted 189 students out of 9,048 applicants at an amazingly low acceptance rate of only 2.08%, and since statistics never lie, it was practically easier to get accepted by either Stanford, Columbia or Princeton. The median total SAT score for the Abu Dhabi class was 1470. Therefore, it can safely be assumed that getting into these universities itself is a daunting task that requires you to be the best among the rest. Studying in such a positive environment is set to yield positive results in the training process of entering practical life.
State of the art facilities
What makes a good university great are its professors and the provided facilities. Full-time, qualified faculty from countries such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom ensures that quality education is provided at high standards. These professors guide you regarding subjects of your interest and play key role in shaping your future.
It comes as no surprise that these campuses have dorm rooms the size of hotel suites and provide students with state of the art equipment that assists them during research work. 24 hour access to the library, 3D printers, professional video cameras – some of these privileges are a rarity in other universities.
Flexibility
"What do you want to be when you grow up?" The answer to this question changes frequently based upon your performance in an exam. The results are what determine whether you can study medicine, computer science or any other field. Branch campuses, on the other hand, provide their students with a free hand in what they can study.
Now for the most interesting part…
Let’s suppose you are a student who wishes to study business and computer science. You have been admitted to Northwestern University Qatar that is known for its journalism and communication. You can still study your desired subjects at a different university, suppose Carnegie Mellon, without getting enrolled and your credit hours will automatically be shifted.
Speculations emerge, debates ensue, and opinions come forward. Nothing can be predicted with certainty, but Western university campuses in the Middle East have freed themselves from the image of safety schools and, some, have established themselves at a whole new level – ready to compete with the education standards elsewhere.