Sharjah: Engineering, Medicine, and Business Administration remain the top three majors either pursued or considered by students in the UAE, education counsellors said at the 12th edition of the International Education Show (IES)
However, a large number of students remain uncertain about what their real passion is and their choices are still heavily influenced by their parents and their peers, they added.
These popular majors have seen the highest demand over the years in higher educational institutions in the country and abroad and also in this exhibition, which received hundreds of school students on its first day at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, opened the I2th edition of the IES along with the 18th National Career Fair Exhibition being held alongside.
Students, mostly men on the first day, thronged the IES to meet representatives of top educational institutions from across the region and the world to find the university and major that matches their preferences. Parents also toured the venue to explore the various opportunities available for their children.
Suad Al Halwachi, an education counsellor at Education Zone, a company that offers counselling to students studying abroad, said an alarming number of students here don’t know what to study and end up not working in their field of study because they are not adequately prepared for this stage.
“It’s a never-ending dilemma with students being confused about what to major in and also with students being influenced by other’s choices so quickly. Most of the applications we got today are for engineering and medicine majors, but that’s only because they are unaware of other options. If I mention another field, their choices can change so quickly.”
Al Halwachi said students searching for universities here or abroad must undergo counselling and a few tests to determine what is best for them to ensure the money spent on their education does not go to waste.
Abdullah Nuaimi, an academic counsellor at the Ministry of Education, said the ministry has been actively helping students discover the field of study that best matches their abilities and passion, but he said the final choice is left to the students themselves to decide.
“Students must know what their passion is and also what their abilities are. We have the role to guide them by encouraging them to undergo a test, which determines these things. We then advise them based on the results.”
Despite the US being the most popular destination for students to study, followed by the UK and Europe, the UAE is still a common choice for many students, he said.
“A lot of students like to continue their studies inside the country. Only those looking to specialise in fields not available here, or who would like to join top institutions abroad, choose to travel abroad.”
According to a Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) report, 52,586 students were enrolled in higher education institutions in Dubai in 2013-14, a 9.4 per cent increase year on year.
In the 2014-2015 academic year, the total enrolment was 59,801, a 13.7 per cent increase.
Rema Menon Vellat, director at Counselling Point, said parents move their children away from creative fields such as music, drama, film and digital media because they want more professional qualifications such as engineering and medicine.
“I believe children should be given a chance to recognise their passion, which doesn’t always appear so early. They should speak to counsellors, speak directly to universities and explore various fields before making final decisions.”
Shaker Zeno, a Syrian father of three, came to look for universities abroad for his two children. He said he made them choose on their own.
“I gave them the freedom to choose what they want. One decided to study law, even though I advised him that engineering has better job opportunities here, but he insisted on law. I’m looking around now and will get them here to look for themselves.”
Heyam Khanfar, a Palestinian mother, was exploring options for her son-in-law, who has been switching between majors and is still not sure what he wants.
“If I were to give him my advice, I would encourage him to seek new fields with a good future.”
As Gulf News spoke to students, it appeared that many lean towards medicine and engineering.
Aleena Anil, 16, Indian, said: “I used to think science is everything because I’m a biology student, but I came to know there are other degrees available. I want to study in the US and prefer to stick to what I like, which is medicine.”
Abdullah Salem, Emirati, 17, said he is considering studying abroad, but is also considering options here. “There’s a bigger possibility I would travel abroad to study engineering. I think I can get better experience there.”
The IES is being held from February 10 to 12 and features more than 100 institutions offering the widest range of undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and vocational courses in disciplines from medicine to engineering and management to New-Age study programmes. The National Career Fair is also held on the same days.
