Dubai’s growing student population fuels TNE expansion

Increased studentship is driving the growth of transnational education (TNE) in Dubai. In 2023, the UAE will become a major regional and international centre for TNE welcoming over 237000 international students. Amongst them, Middlesex University Dubai founded in 2005 represents one example of expansion. In 1968, it had 6300 students from 120 countries, and over the next four years plans to enroll 8000. The Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) was founded in 2007, and it also enjoys a role in the growing education sector. In 2011, the DIAC's student body was 24 percent international and 76 percent from the United Arab Emirates. Noteworthy is the fact that a large part of the intake is foreign, which indicates the heterogeneous population of Dubai. They expect Dubai to need another 10 to 15 branch campuses to cater for demand. At the same time, the expansion is necessary to maintain the quality of education being provided and to meet the rising number of students. Finally, the emirates standing as a major center for global education is solidified by the growth of the emirates student body from international education.