SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT - UAE Interact

S O C I A L D E V E L O P M E N T237Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) was established in 2005 todeliver on the government’s ambitious strategy for technicaleducation. The IAT seeks to provide vocational and technicaleducation to fulfil the needs of major industry sectors such asaviation, automotive, health and defence.Guided by the IAT, four technical secondary school campuseshave been placed under new management with an updatededucational programme and, in 2006, five high school campuses,with a total student population of 2330, were made available fortechnical education.The National University of Science, Technology and Researchwas also created to improve and expand pathways for furthertechnical and vocational education in Abu Dhabi.Finally, commencing in September 2007 the Abu DhabiVocational Education and Training Institute (ADvETI) is providinginternational vocation-based training in targeted industry sectors,including areas such as health, law and tourism. The Institute isbeing established in cooperation with TAFE NSW, of Australia,which will create a turnkey operation that will become theresponsibility of the Abu Dhabi Education Council after five years.The government’s intent is to create – through the ADvETI andIAT initiatives – seamless pathways from grade nine to technicaldegree level for those wishing to engage in vocational and/ortechnical education.UAEUThe Al Ain-based United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), whichopened in the academic year 1977/78, remains the country’sflagship national institution of higher education and is committedto its role as the leading teaching and research institution in theUAE. The university currently comprises five separate campuses,seven residential areas and a population of 15,000 students. UAEUoffers over 70 undergraduate bachelor degrees and a number ofgraduate programmes in a wide range of disciplines. Internationalaccreditation has been awarded to the professional academicprogrammes and the non-professional courses undergo periodicexternal evaluation by international experts to ensure that theyAbu Dhabi VocationalEducation and TrainingInstitute.The government’sintent is to create –through the ADvETIand IAT initiatives –seamless pathwaysfrom grade nine totechnical degree levelfor those wishing toengage in vocationaland/or technicaleducation.@www.uaeinteract.com/uaeeducation