Study Abroad in UAE
A country of eastern Arabia, a federation of seven
sheikdoms on the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Converted to Islam in the 7th century, the area later
became a base for pirates and was known as the Pirate Coast
into the 19th century. The British signed a series of
truces with the ruling sheiks between 1820 and 1892,
and the area became known as the Trucial States or
Trucial Oman. After World War II Britain granted internal
autonomy to the sheikdoms or emirates, with the United
Arab Emirates being formed in 1971 after Britain
withdrew from the area completely. Abu Dhabi is the
capital. Population: 2,560,000.
Economy
The UAE's wealth is largely based on oil and gas
output, some 33% of GDP. It is the third largest oil
producer in the Persian Gulf after Saudi Arabia and Iran
(Iraq's oil output has fluctuated due to war). Since
1973, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from
an impoverished region of small desert principalities
to a modern state with a high standard of living. The
country's per capita GDP is not far below the GDPs of
the leading West European nations. Its generosity with
oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance
have allowed it to play a vital role in the affairs of
the region. In recent years the government has sought
to diversify its sources of income and lessen its
dependence on finite oil reserves. One result of these
efforts is a steadily developing tourism industry,
centered on coastal, desert and sporting resorts and
infrastructure. The success of these ventures, along with
other factors like the relatively low price of
commodities, the warm temperatures that prevail for most of the
year, the engineering marvels such as Burj Al Arab and
The Palm Islands, and friendliness to the West have
led many to call it the Singapore or Hong Kong of the
Middle East.
Cities
The UAE comprises the following seven emirates:
Abu Dhabi
Ajman
Dubai
Fujairah
Ras al-Khaimah
Sharjah
Umm al-Qaiwain
Population
The U.A.E. has approximately 2.95 million people from
all over the Arab world, Asia, Europe, Africa and
America live. Approximately 80% of the population is
non-UAE nationals. The religion that the majority of the
population have is Islam but Christianity, Hinduism,
etc. are also found. The official language of the UAE is
Arabic though other languages like English, Hindi and
Farsi are also spoken.
Currency
The currency used in the UAE is called the Dirham and
is abbreviated as Dhs or AED. The sub unit of a Dirham
is a Fil and 100 Fils equal 1 Dirham. (Display
pictures of the 1 Dirham coin as well as the bills for 5, 10,
20, 50, 100). One US Dollar has an approximate
exchange to 3.685 UAE Dirhams
UAE Education System
Primary and secondary education is provided for all
UAE citizens. The existing educational structure, which
was established in the early 1970s, is a four-tier
system covering 14 years of education.
Kindergarten
Age level from: 4 to 5 years old
Primary
Length of programme in years: 6
Age level from: 6 to 12 years old
Preparatory
Length of programme in years: 3
Age level from: 12 to 15 years old
Secondary
Length of programme in years: 3
Age level from: 15 to 18 years old
Certificate/Diploma awarded: Secondary School Leaving
Certificate
Technical Secondary School
Length of programme in years: 6
Age level from: 12 to 18 years old
Certificate/Diploma awarded: Technical Secondary
Diploma
Primary school education is compulsory for all UAE
citizens. Government policy is to provide staff/student
ratios of 1:20 at kindergarten and primary levels; and
1:15 at intermediate and secondary levels. The
existing staff/student ratios are well within this proposed
range.
Curriculum
The Primary education curriculum emphasises basic
literacy and numeracy skills, and includes basic
instruction in language, mathematics, and sciences.
The Secondary cycle focuses on preparing students for
University, technical or vocation training, or for the
joining the workforce directly. Most students in the
UAE tend to pursue higher education at universities
rather than at technical or vocational institutes.
Secondary Education
Secondary education lasts for three years. It consists
of a common first year followed by specialization in
Science or Arts. At the end of the twelfth year,
students take the examination for the Shahadat Al-Thanawiya
Al-Amma (Secondary School Leaving Certificate).
Technical secondary education offers both preparatory and
secondary cycles. The preparatory cycle offers an
Engineering course for the acquisition of basic skills
leading to the Intermediate Certificate. At the end of the
secondary cycle, a Technical Secondary Diploma is
awarded.
Higher Education
Higher education is offered at the United Arab
Emirates (UAE) University, Ajman University College of
Science and Technology, and Higher Colleges of Technology
(HCT).
The UAE University has independent status and a
separate government budget. Its governing body, the supreme
council, is made up of the chancellor, the
vice-chancellor, deans of the faculties and members selected by
the Council of Ministers
Higher Colleges of Technology were established in
1988. Located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ras Al
Khaimah and Fujairah, these colleges prepare nationals
for professional and technological careers in both
government and private sectors. Since their foundation,
the colleges have grown significantly, with staff and
students increasing by about 30 per cent each year
Foregin Students Admission
Quotas: Some 8% of total places are reserved for
students from the Arab Gulf region and 7% for other
foreigners.
Admission requirements: Students should hold a General
Secondary School Certificate. Gulf students should
obtain 60% of total marks in the high school Certificate
for admission to the Faculties of Engineering and
Economics; non-Gulf students should obtain 80% for
admission to any faculty, except Engineering where they must
obtain 90%. For Islamic Studies and Sharia, candidates
must be Muslims and must obtain 50% of the total marks
in the High School Certificate. Applications should be
made to the University in June
Arabic is the official language of the United Arab
Emirates. English is also widely spoken, as are Hindi,
Urdu, and Persian.
Welcome ahlan wasahlan
Greetings a-salaam alaikum
How are you? keef halak?
I am fine al ham dulillah (All praise is to Allah)
Sorry aff wan
No problem mafi mushkil
My name is (Karim) isme (Karim)
What is your name? shu ismak?
Thank you shukran
How much is that? kem hadha?
Where is (the airport) wain hadha airport?
The food is good! el ta'aam shahi!
This web site is good! hadhi el ma-ha-ta mumtazih!
Good bye mah asalaamah
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