QUALITY OF EDUCATION
TBY talks to Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, President of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), on the consequences of growing global demand for education and AURAK's efforts to attract students from beyond the Emirate.
BIOGRAPHY
Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim held several positions before being appointed President of AURAK, including the Chair of the RAK Research and Follow-Up Authority, Director-General of RAK Economic Development Department, and advisor to the RAK government. He received his bachelor of arts in political science, magna cum laude, from Seattle University and a master’s of arts and doctorate of philosophy in international relations from the University of Exeter. He was earlier with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU).How do you assess the growth of the education sector in the region?
The global population growth is demanding more from the education sector, and the latter is struggling to accommodate it; there is higher demand than supply. That will have two effects on education. We will see more schools throughout the world, though the quality of education in many areas will fall, especially in countries where demand cannot be matched. For those who are willing to cope with high demand, there is a bright future for education. The number of students who are looking for a place in higher education institutions is growing. We may see stiffer competition due to new universities, as every institution tries to showcase what they have. Today, every university that wants to survive must have modern technology with labs and equipment. They may also offer online teaching and so forth. In the UAE, there are more than 80 academic institutions accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education. There are also many satellite campuses as branches of foreign universities that we should bear in mind when discussing quality. This creates a competitive environment among high quality institutions. The environment of the campus should be appealing since the student will spend four years of their lives there. The size of the university does not mean anything in this case; it is always the quality of the education that counts.
What challenges do you face when trying to attract students to Ras Al Khaimah?
I do not view them as challenges, but as driving forces and motivation. They include the population, which is less than 500,000; of that number, two-thirds are expatriates. We need to be open to the region, not only to the country. The expatriate ratio in Ras Al Khaimah is relatively well reflected in our student mix: about 70% of our students are expats. The UAE is a tolerant and open society, especially when compared to other Arab nations, and often that feeling of comparative security is a draw for many people. Many were betting against the success of this institution, mainly due to the rising costs of living in the Emirate, coupled with the fact that just 10 years ago it was not as developed as it is today. However, we can also attract students from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In our case, the numbers show it can be done since we have grown from 100 students in 2011 to more than 1,000 in seven years. Moreover, faculty recruitment can present a challenge. In order to have a good faculty, we have to offer a competitive salary and benefits. Because we teach in English, the pool for recruitment is the whole world. The only issue then is credentials.
QUALITY OF EDUCATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Interview
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TBY talks to Andrea Di Gregorio, Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables of the RAK Municipality Department, on the Emirate's overall strategy, specific programs, and early supporters of energy efficiency and renewables.
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Abdulrhman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Director General, Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED)
TBY talks to Abdulrhman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, Director General of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economic Development (RAK DED), on improving the ease of doing business, key diversification pillars, and the impact of new VAT.
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Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ)
TBY talks to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), on offering investors a global platform, creating a one-stop shop, and the strategic comparative advantages of access to the Indian Ocean.
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Manu Mehra, CFO, RAK Investment & Development Office (RAK IDO)
TBY talks to Manu Mehra, CFO of the RAK Investment & Development Office (RAK IDO), on the role of free zones in diversification, the benefits of smart state intervention, and the keys most needed for a strong manufacturing sector.
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Yousef Esmaeel, Chairman, Supreme Committee of Saud Bin Saqr Establishment for Youth Enterprises Development (RAK SME)
TBY talks to Yousef Esmaeel, Chairman of the Supreme Committee of Saud Bin Saqr Establishment for Youth Enterprises Development (RAK SME), on incentivizing young people, working with local government to encourage entrepreneurialism, and the role of SMEs in the UAE marketplace.
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Abdullah Al Abdooli, Managing Director, Al Marjan Island
TBY talks to Abdullah Al Abdooli, Managing Director of Al Marjan Island, on the continuous growth of the real estate market in RAK, its robust investment landscape, and the Emirate's ambitious plans to develop its tourism sector.
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Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, President , American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK)
TBY talks to Hassan Hamdan Al Alkim, President of the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK), on the consequences of growing global demand for education and AURAK's efforts to attract students from beyond the Emirate.
read articleInterview
Gurumadhva Rao, Vice Chancellor, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU)
TBY talks to S. Gurumadhva Rao, Vice Chancellor of the RAK Medical & Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU), on the further development of higher education, its key differentiators, and the need for qualified doctors.
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Taner Topcu, Director, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone’s (RAKEZ) Academic Zone
Taner Topcu holds a bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Anadolu University in Turkey. He is an industry expert with more than 20 years of successful experience in education, hospitality, business development, and customer relations. Prior to joining RAKEZ in 2015, Taner worked at TECOM Investment's Education Cluster in Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, where he worked in operations, business development, and account management. He also worked at Aabar Investments in Abu Dhabi as a Business Development Manager and at Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority as a Director of Engagement Operations.
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