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Combating coronavirus: Reluctant to send kids abroad, parents in UAE turn to local varsities

Dubai - Live classes may not resume until January 2021.  

With the current Covid-19 pandemic, UAE parents and prospective international students are now considering options for higher education within the country.
Many top foreign universities have already announced that if public health officials deem it unsafe for students to congregate, live classes may not resume until January 2021.  
Speaking to Khaleej Times, parents and students shared their thoughts on why studying abroad doesn't appear to be a good option this year.
UAE resident Manisha Bhatia feels the Covid-19 situation has changed the way people perceive things. Even higher education in foreign universities seems less attractive to families, given the health scare.
"My son is in Grade 12 in an Indian school and, earlier, we wanted him to go abroad and study which he still wants. But as a mother, I am keen that he continues studying in the UAE, while staying at home with us," she said. "All the news of stranded students and worried parents really bother me and nobody wants to be caught in such a situation."
Parents do not want a gap year
Similarly, Madhulika Chatterjee said they wouldn't want her son to miss one school year because of the flight suspensions and the pandemic situation.
"We are still thinking about the whole admission process but, if required, we will have to look at university options here, especially if the flights and the countries don't open up as much. We wouldn't want our child to be sitting at home for a full year" said Chatterjee, whose son is in Year 13 at Jumeirah College Dubai.
Tunisian resident Basma Buazzi, whose elder daughter is a student of American University of Ras Al Khaimah, said that even for her son, local universities are the only option.
"The Covid-19 scare is here to stay for a while. Who knows whether there would be a second wave of the virus or not? I am not sending my son to my home country, Tunisia, to study. He will study here," Buazzi said.
A Grade 13 student of Al Diyafah High School, Michael Gonsalves, is convinced that he doesn't have to travel abroad to get a good education.
"Some of the universities in the UAE are really good. I therefore wish to study in the UAE. All I need to explore are universities offering good discounts or scholarships," Gonsalves said.
Experts notice 'shift' in favour of UAE colleges
??Education counsellors feel that there may be a "discernible shift" in university choices this year.
"The employability aspect is not too promising this year. So, logically health concerns and affordability become serious factors and foreign universities, therefore, lose the edge they used to have. This is also when local universities have an opportunity for the first time," said Sanjeev Verma, director of Intelligent Partners. 
With foreign colleges and universities resorting to online-only courses, the chance tailwinds towards local offerings.
Dr Vajahat Hussain, CEO of Amity Education Middle East, said: "As things continue to change all around the world, UAE universities will see an increase in the number of UAE-based students applying for undergraduate and post graduate degree programmes this year." 
But another higher education expert also believes that while some may reconsider options, many have adopted the wait-and-see approach.
Peter Davos, CEO and founder of Hale Education, said: "Those students who've got conditional offers from Harvard, Princeton or any other Ivy League universities are set to enrol in their online courses from this September and will continue with on-campus learning once things improve.
"Therefore, several perceive it to be temporary adjustments till situations get better. A miniscule five per cent may consider a gap year."
nandini@khaleejtimes.com