Enrolment in private university rises

Private universities in Dubai and Sharjah have reported an overall increase in their undergraduate student enrolment numbers at the start of the new 2011-12 academic year. The Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) Education cluster of Tecom Investments has reported an approximate increase of 15 per cent on total student numbers. This brings DIAC's student numbers up to 21,000, up from last year's 18,000. However, the final figures will only be finalised at the end of the enrolment process for the 2011-12 academic year. The institution reporting the highest leap in its new undergraduate student intake is Heriot-Watt University's Dubai campus. Professor Ammar Kaka, Vice-Principal and Dean of the university, reported an approximate increase of 40 per cent. This brings its student numbers up to nearly 2,500.