Education

While the emirate currently maintains one of the more respected educational systems in the region, the sector continues to develop and possesses tremendous potential for sustainable and long-term growth. Recent efforts have focused on upgrading the present academic system by reducing gaps between vocational education and industry and between secondary and tertiary education. Several organisations are working together to identify skills shortages and create vocational training programmes, and new partnerships aimed at strengthening research between academia and industry are being forged across and beyond the sector. Encouragingly, Abu Dhabi has also seen a significant increase in student enrolment numbers in recent years. The figure rose by 22% between the 2005/06 and 2010/11 academic years. At the same time, the sector has seen a significant rise in the number of private universities offering higher degrees. This chapter includes interviews with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; and Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Director-General, Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC).