E-Paper
East meets West in the Middle East
Indians aspiring for a British degree can study in Dubai at Middlesex University?s first campus outside London.
Indians keen on a British degree need not go all the way to the Old Blighty. Middlesex University has announced the launch of its first campus outside London. The first batch of students will join the university’s overseas centre situated at Knowledge Village in Dubai in January 2005.
The university will offer a B.A. (Hons.) in Business Administration and a B.Sc. in Information Systems programmes at Middlesex University, Dubai. Besides, it also plans to set up a research facility, Centre for Environment and Safety Management in Business, in India next year. Senior officials including Pro Vice-Chancellor Margaret House talked about these and some other initiatives taken by Middlesex at a press meet held in New Delhi recently.
Asked why the university has chosen to establish a campus in Dubai and not in India, House said, “An opportunity to set up a campus in Dubai suddenly came by. We also have the financial backing for it.”
Middlesex’s Regional Director (South Asia), Maroof Raza added that it was difficult for a foreign university to set up shop in India. There are too many legislations, and proposals that get mired in bureaucratic bungles. Studying for a British degree in Dubai will be a cost-effective option for Indians, said officials. The tuition fee for undergraduate programmes at the London Campus is pegged at £ 8,000-8,400 a year and living expenses come to another £ 6,500, said Farheen Akhtar, Deputy Manager Education and Marketing Services at the Middlesex South Asia office. Hence, a student pursuing a course in London would have to spend £ 14,500.
However, at the Dubai campus the fee is US $10,900 and living costs will come to another US $8,400, added Akhtar. Hence, a student will have to shell out about US$ 19,300 or roughly £ 11,000 a year.
Raza also emphasised the Work-Based Learning programme offered by Middlesex. Working professionals can have their work programmes converted into modules and earn credits, he said. Candidates are awarded a certificate, diploma or degree by the university. Interestingly, Raza pointed out that more than training the staff, this also served as a retention tool for employees. The credits cannot be transferred if a candidate leaves the company before finishing his programme.
