Globalization, Education and Emiratisation: A Study of the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The United Arab Emirates Government has pursed educational excellence for its citizens through the provision of free education for all nationals from K-12 to University. Furthermore, from the earliest days of federation the United Arab Emirates Government has encouraged private education providers to establish educational operations under the governance of the Commission for Academic Accreditation. The growth and globalization of education has contributed to an increase in the number and quality of private and/or international educational institutions entering the United Arab Emirates. These private educational institutions provide gateways to western educational qualifications and ideologies, while generating revenue as new markets are developed. More recently the United Arab Emirates Government has embarked on an affirmative action program to satisfy the employment and career aspirations of its citizens with a focus that links employment and education. In this paper, the author examines the discourse of globalization of a developing nation in the context of the United Arab Emirates education system and examines the implications for the United Arab Emirates Government. The conclusion suggests that education is not the panacea for the problems faced by the United Arab Emirates Government, but recommends the inclusion of health based education into the current curriculum reform along with the acceleration of the articulation and accreditation program.