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7 out of 10 students plan to stay in UAE after graduation

Dubai - Course satisfaction, preparation for private sector careers and job opportunities are among the reasons for a rise in Dubai's ability to attract and retain global talent.

The number of university students planning to stay in the UAE after graduating has risen 19 per cent since 2013, to 69 per cent, according to the 2016 Qudurat Wave III: Report commissioned by Aon Hewitt (NYSE: AON) and Dubai International Academic City.
Course satisfaction, preparation for private sector careers and job opportunities are among the reasons for a rise in Dubai's ability to attract and retain global talent.
The findings of the report were revealed at an event hosted by Aon Hewitt and Dubai International Academic City, with 84 per cent of students said to be satisfied with their course of study. The launch event, hosted at Dubai Knowledge Park, demonstrated findings of the report, and highlighted Dubai's position as a desired academic destination for students. The report also points to a 36 per cent drop in the number of Emirati students pursuing a career in the public sector. One in four Emirati students expressed an interest in becoming entrepreneurs and starting a business.
Commenting on the importance of the findings, Mohammad Abdullah, managing director of Dubai International Academic City, said: "Having a strong academic ecosystem in Dubai will provide students who aspire to create the economies of tomorrow with the infrastructure that is needed to get there. As Dubai seeks to create an innovative economy, findings from the 2016 Qudurat report demonstrate how aspirations of students are changing and how young people are becoming far more entrepreneurial and optimistic about their future, because of the opportunities to fulfil their ambitions in Dubai."
Elias Dib, partner of Aon Hewitt Middle East, said: "The study findings point to the changing expectations and aspirations of the new employees entering the workforce with a clear shift towards more realistic expectations from their employers as well as a stronger entrepreneurial sentiment."
Findings from the Qudurat Student Wave III study highlight that organisations and academia will need to make concerted efforts to forge strong and collaborative partnerships and seek coordinated solutions in preparing students to face upcoming workplace challenges.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

Major findings