DUBAI, 29th March, 2017 (WAM) -- Dubai International Academic City, DIAC, has concluded a four day visit to Beijing and Xian to participate in the Chinese International Education Exhibition Tour, CIEET, as part of DIAC's continued efforts to promote Dubai as a leading global destination for higher education, This marks DIACs fourth year of participation in CIEET, one of the largest exhibitions in the field of international education in China. The exhibition endorsed by the Ministry of Education of the Peoples Republic of China, provides a platform for Chinese students and parents to assess the latest information about studying abroad and develops channels for universities and institutions to introduce their quality education resources and opportunities.

DIACs participation in CIEET is timely as Dubai and China continue to forge greater collaboration in higher education as part of Chinas "One Belt, One Road" initiative, which aims to deepen Chinas infrastructural, economic, institutional and cultural connectivity with key parts of the globe. In October 2016, an agreement, signed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, KHDA, in Dubai and the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange, CSCSE, outlined that degrees earned by Chinese students in Dubai will be verified by CSCSE and the Ministry of Education in China, paving the way for Chinese students to obtain degrees from top Dubai based institutions.

In recent years, Dubai has become an attractive choice for a rising number of Chinese students who are seeking international experience from world-class universities. The rise of International Branch Campuses, IBCs, has allowed students to receive recognised degrees from leading American, English and Australian universities, without having to travel to the home countrys campus. This, coupled with the ease of obtaining student visas compared to the aforementioned countries, is one of the key indicators for the 83 percent increase of Chinese students at DIAC universities from 2013 to 2015.

Commenting on the importance of creating awareness among Chinese students of the higher education opportunities in Dubai, Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director, Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, said, "International students play a vital role in expanding DIACs vibrant and dynamic cultural environment. Chinese students contribute to a large portion of our enrolment and make a huge contribution to our academic life, knowledge and economic growth by brining valuable skills and a commendable work ethic to our academic and professional workforce." According to a report launched by DIAC in partnership with Aon Hewitt, as many as 85 percent of students plan to look for job opportunities in the UAE upon graduation due to course satisfaction, preparation for private sector careers and a competitive labour market, especially in light of the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020.

Abdullah added, "We envisage an increasingly significant role for Chinese students in Dubai especially with the upcoming Dubai Expo 2020, which has promised to create more than 275,000 jobs in sectors such as aviation, construction, retail and transportation across the region over the next six years. The opportunities are abound and there is no better time than now to seize them."

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.