Six university branches get five-star rating in KHDA classification
64% OF 17 DUBAI CAMPUSES IN KHDA’S HIGHER EDUCATION CLASSIFICATION ACHIEVE 4 OR 5 STARS
Sixty-four per cent of university branch campuses in Dubai have achieved four or five stars in the second annual Higher Education Classification (HEC), which rates services and quality of education provided by higher education institutions in Dubai.
This year’s classification released by Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) showed that six campuses achieved the highest 5-star rating, five were rated 4-star, four got 3-star and two got 2-star.
Among those that earned five stars were Heriot-Watt University, London Business School, Manipal Academy, Middlesex University Dubai, Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Dubai Campus, and City, University of London.
Amity University Dubai, Hult International Business School, S P Jain School of Global Management, SAE Institute and The University of Manchester Worldwide received four stars.
Seventeen branch campuses across Dubai took part in the classification and more than 30,000 students were surveyed.
Dr Wafi Dawood, CEO of Strategy and Planning Sector, KHDA, said, “Students in Dubai and all over the world can refer to the HEC to identify what they value in higher education to make more confident decisions about their future in Dubai.”
The heads of the five-star universities explained how they secured the top ratings.
‘Inclusiveness was a contributing factor’
Ammar Kaka, Provost and Vice Principal, Heriot-Watt University Dubai
“Equality and diversity is a primary consideration throughout the university, especially with students. We embed equality and diversity into all that we do at Heriot-Watt to help them achieve their potential. We provide one-toone pastoral support and our Professional Services staff, such as the Careers and Wellbeing teams provides a range of advice and support for students on all kinds of issues,” he said.
‘We scored high in career services support’
Dr Kevin Dunseath, Regional director (Mena) and director of Dubai centre of ‘City, University of London’
“The main change I think this year, which enabled us to achieve the 5-star rating, was our facility and a higher rating for employability.
“Employability is actually a rather difficult metric for us because all of our students are already in full-time employment and study on a part time basis. We scored the maximum points for our career services support and we think that is very important because even if students are already in full employment, they still need excellent support for the development of their careers.”
‘Focus on internationalism helped us’
Dr S. V. Kota Reddy, Academic President, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai Campus
“We focused particularly on international collaboration, inviting international faculty to Dubai, and organising various exchange programmes,” Dr
Reddy said, pointing out that the academy’s renewed focus on ‘internationalism’ contributed to achieving the 5-star rating.
‘We have an expanded portfolio of programmes’
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Middlesex University Dubai
“2020 has been the dawn of a new decade, which has seen unprecedented times. However, this phase will pass. Opportunities will return. Our world will emerge stronger than before. This is already the case at Middlesex University Dubai, which has been going from strength-to-strength, with a record expected year of admissions and an expanded portfolio of programmes available in autumn,” he said.
Students can refer to the HEC to identify what they value in higher education to make more confident decisions about their future in Dubai.”
Dr Wafi Dawood | CEO of Strategy and Planning Sector, KHDA