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centred learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> teach<strong>in</strong>g process becomes a learn<strong>in</strong>g activity <strong>in</strong><br />

which <strong>the</strong> teacher works as facilitator ra<strong>the</strong>r than educator.<br />

4.3 Higher Education <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE<br />

Higher Education <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE is a fundamental sector <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE<br />

federation system. Prepar<strong>in</strong>g <strong>for</strong> susta<strong>in</strong>able development, <strong>the</strong> UAE is<br />

<strong>in</strong>vest<strong>in</strong>g heavily on education and substantially <strong>in</strong> Higher Education.<br />

The Prime M<strong>in</strong>ister <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE and <strong>the</strong> Crown Pr<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>of</strong> Dubai, H.H.<br />

Sheikh Mohammed, declares that <strong>the</strong> UAE‟s realises <strong>the</strong> needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

youth and <strong>the</strong>ir education is among our priorities. 230 The <strong>in</strong>creased<br />

number <strong>of</strong> Higher Educational <strong>in</strong>stitutes <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> last decade<br />

reflects <strong>the</strong> country‟s mission <strong>for</strong> susta<strong>in</strong>able development.<br />

The focus <strong>of</strong> this section will be on <strong>the</strong> government established<br />

universities that are com<strong>in</strong>g under <strong>the</strong> rule <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong> Higher<br />

Education. The private <strong>in</strong>stitutes will not be addressed due to <strong>the</strong> lack <strong>of</strong><br />

publicity and homogeneity and <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong>y do not reflect <strong>the</strong><br />

society <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE and <strong>the</strong> <strong>model</strong> <strong>in</strong> this study addresses <strong>the</strong> UAE<br />

culture specifically.<br />

4.3.1 Governmental Universities <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE<br />

Higher education <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE started <strong>in</strong> 1977 when <strong>the</strong> University <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

UAE was first established. 231 Be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> UAE lacked a <strong>for</strong>mal<br />

educational system, as far as higher education is concerned. 232<br />

Sayed 233 conducted a study under <strong>the</strong> banner <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Nation<br />

Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The report<br />

entitled “Women, Politics, and Development <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE” asserts <strong>the</strong><br />

importance <strong>of</strong> education <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> UAE.<br />

229<br />

O'Neill, G., Moore, S., McMull<strong>in</strong>, B. (2005). ‘Student-centred learn<strong>in</strong>g: What does it mean <strong>for</strong> students<br />

and lecturers?’ All Ireland Society <strong>for</strong> Higher Education (AISHE).<br />

230<br />

Mohammed b<strong>in</strong> Rashid Al-Maktoum Foundation & United Nation Development Programme (2009).<br />

op.cit. p38<br />

231<br />

Young, B. (2005). op.cit. p28.<br />

232<br />

Pamela J. Creedon, Mai Abdul Wahed Al-Khaja, Dean Kruckeberg (1995). ‘Women and public relations<br />

education and practice <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Arab Emirates’. Public Relations Review. 21. (1). p59-76.<br />

233<br />

Sayed, S. (2002). Women, Politics, Development <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> United Arab Emirates.<br />

75

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