Middle East rises in popularity as overseas study destination

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Universities in the Middle East are increasingly opening their doors to Chinese students.

In 2024, Dubai was home to 34,000 university students, with 33 percent from outside the UAE, according to the city's Knowledge and Human Development Authority. Among them were 741 Chinese students, with 29 percent of those pursuing undergraduate degrees and 71 percent studying for master's degrees.

In 2017, Curtin University, an Australian tertiary institution with three campuses in Western Australia and five campuses globally, launched its Dubai campus, which is located in the Dubai International Academic City.

Over the past 15 years, Professor Ammar Kaka, pro vice-chancellor and president of Curtin University Dubai, has witnessed significant growth in the number of international students.

"We do have a small number of students from China who come to study with us, but the majority are professionals already working in the UAE," Kaka said.

"China is definitely a market we are keen to grow further, especially given Curtin University's strong connections with Chinese students across our campuses in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia. We already have extensive partnerships with universities in China, including joint programs and pathways that allow students to earn dual degrees," he added.

Kaka has visited China several times and delivered keynote speeches at events organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange. He said he believes China's growing economic ties with Gulf Cooperation Council countries, particularly the UAE, make the region an attractive destination for Chinese students.

"We are also seeing growth in the Chinese expatriate community here. To give one example, Dubai even has a mall dedicated mainly to Chinese goods, highlighting the depth of cooperation and trade between the two countries," he said.

For Chinese students studying in Dubai, Kaka sees multiple benefits.

"They gain exposure not only to the culture, but also to the business landscape, and many take advantage of opportunities for internships during their studies," he said. "At the same time, they can immerse themselves in Arabic culture. So, if they return to China after graduation, they bring back knowledge and experience that is highly attractive to Chinese companies looking to expand into the Middle East."