60% of UAE's working professionals plan to pursue postgrad studies

60% of UAE’s working professionals plan to pursue postgrad studies

GETEX Dubai serves as important platform for academic programs as one of three surveyed learners show interest to attend education exhibitions.

April 5, 2010 11:47 by Ben Flanagan

April 5, 2010: International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E), organiser of GETEX Dubai 2010, the Middle East and Asia’s leading education, training and professional development event, has announced that post-graduate studies remain in great demand among working professionals in the UAE, as reflected in a recent survey conducted by IC&E. More than 60 percent of the survey’s respondents said they want to pursue or complete their master’s degree to boost their employment opportunities, while up to 74 percent of those planning to take up post-graduate studies prefer to attend classes at the university campus.

The survey also revealed that 22.9 percent of learners are interested in online study programs, while less than 3 percent prefer self study programs. IC&E pointed out that the survey was crucial in developing the core offerings of GETEX Dubai 2010, which will be featuring a wider range of postgraduate programs and value-added services. In addition, the survey supports the emerging trend at GETEX Dubai, wherein nearly a third of all visiting learners look for various postgraduate courses.

Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, IC&E, said: “The survey confirms that majority of working professionals in the UAE are proactively seeking opportunities to boost their career development. Obtaining postgraduate qualification has remained the most popular means of enhancing employment prospects, particularly in view of the numerous academic institutions that have been established in the country.”

“We have also discovered through the survey that one out of three learners prefer to attend exhibitions and other trade events to find out more about different postgraduate programs. This is certainly a very important indication that GETEX Dubai will continue to be a highly strategic platform for learners to gain direct access to world-class academic programs being offered in the UAE and by academic institutions from other countries,” added Godinho.

According to the survey, 72 percent of respondents find information about various postgraduate courses either through the internet or by attending trade exhibitions and conferences. Moreover, the survey revealed that about 84 percent of those who want to pursue a master’s degree are in the 24 to 35 age bracket.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahayan Bin Mubarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, GETEX Dubai 2010 will be held from April 14 to 17 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Over 20,000 learners are expected to attend the event, looking to enrol in various undergraduate, postgraduate, vocational and training programs being offered by more than 500 international education providers. There will be more than 2,500 courses available during the event’s four-day run.

GETEX Dubai 2010 will gather exhibitors from different government ministries and education boards, universities, colleges and academic institutions, professional training centres, international and regional education organisations, and language learning centres. The event will also showcase the latest innovations in the fields of learning aids, labs, vocational and technical supplies, educational tools and scientific equipment, global business schools, distance learning IT and ICT, seminars and presentations technologies, textbooks, software and publications.

- ends –

For further information, please contact:

Orient Planet PR & Marketing Communications

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

P.O.Box: 23345

Tel: 00971 4 398 8901

Fax: 00971 4 398 8941

Email: media@orientplanet.com

Website: www.orientplanet.com