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Ø Dubai Campus contributed AED 330.5 million GVA to Dubai's economy in 2011, which increased to AED 1.02 billion in 2015, recording growth of over 300 per cent
Ø University's Principal and Vice-Chancellor reveals figures from a newly published report on the Economic Impact of Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus
Dubai, UAE - Heriot-Watt's Principal and Vice-Chancellor Richard A. Williams has revealed that the university contributed a Gross Value Added (GVA) total of AED 520 million to the United Arab Emirates' economy in 2015 - AED 460.2 million of that GVA total was generated in Dubai. The figures were revealed in the newly published Economic Impact of Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus report.
During the British Council's Going Global Conference on May 4 in Cape Town, South Africa, Principal Richard A. Williams also revealed that the Dubai Campus' contribution to Dubai's economy grew by 300 per cent in the years from 2011 to 2015. Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus contributed AED 330.5 million GVA to Dubai's economy in 2011, which increased to AED 1.02 billion in 2015.
Additionally, the Dubai Campus supported 1,215 jobs in the UAE out of which 1,065 jobs were created in Dubai. Every job at the campus supports a further 8 jobs in the wider UAE community.
The university's student expenditure is estimated to have contributed AED 244.6 million GVA, leading to 581 jobs in UAE. University-linked tourism - friends, family, attendees to events at the Dubai Campus and staff travelling - also contributed towards economic growth with an estimated AED 35.0 million GVA generated and 116 jobs created in the UAE.
Speaking to the Going Global conference on the subject of 'Building Nations and Connecting Cultures', Professor Williams stressed that, as the first overseas university in Dubai's International Academic City, Heriot-Watt has played a hugely important role in the development of the Dubai higher education sector, establishing a successful model of transnational education which others have adopted, as well as supporting Dubai's aim of economic growth underpinned by diversified economic activity.
Professor Williams said, "Since it was launched in 2005 our Dubai campus has been a tremendous success for our students and as part of the University's long-term international strategy, it is heartening to have this confirmation that it also provides large scale and long-term benefits to the economy and community which hosts it.
"Our Dubai Campus has allowed students from the UAE and a wide range of other countries to study for a top quality UK degree programme, nearer to their home, in subjects which are relevant to the demands of their local economies. The growth and success of the campus has helped to underpin Heriot-Watt's international strategy and our transnational programme of education where students are encouraged to spend part of their course studying the same programme in a different country, be that at our UK, Dubai or Malaysia campuses.
"Now we have a detailed view of the value which the Dubai Campus adds to the local economy through the long term returns of its teaching activity across a range of areas. The skills and knowledge acquired by our students enable them to become more productive, successful employees. A high percentage of them stay in the UAE to work after graduating, driving the economy, creating solutions for industry and contributing to the region."
The UAE has two potential drivers for future economic growth- resource based growth or innovation and skills based growth. Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus supports the development of innovation and skills based growth in the UAE economy through its research informed teaching and by encouraging students to approach challenges with an innovative mind-set.
Warren Fox, Chief of Higher Education, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said: "Dubai has emerged as a top-quality higher education destination in the Middle East and the presence of successful branch campuses like Heriot-Watt has allowed students from the wider region to access international programmes. We encourage high quality provision of qualifications and programmes by foreign Higher Education Providers (HEPs) as a way of supporting the development of Dubai's strategic objectives."
Heriot-Watt University was the first international university to open a campus in 2005 in Dubai International Academic City. The university has successfully led the way in creating an institutional structure and model for transnational higher education. Heriot-Watt's degrees are accredited by Royal Charter in the UK, and is one of the first higher education providers to be licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai (KHDA).
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About
Heriot-Watt's Dubai Campus - which has close to 3,700 students - was the first overseas university to open a campus in Dubai International Academic City.
One of the first higher education providers to be licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai (KHDA), Heriot-Watt's degrees are also accredited by Royal Charter in the UK. The Campus provides courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level from each of the University's seven schools:
· The School of the Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure & Society
· The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
· The School of Life Sciences
· The School of Management and Languages
· The School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences
· The School of Textiles and Design
· Edinburgh Business School
The Dubai Campus provides a comprehensive university experience and maintains strong links with the UK, with students able to transfer to any Heriot-Watt campus in Britain at the end of each academic year.
Report on the Economic Impact of Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus
The report presents the findings of a study undertaken by BiGGAR Economics in 2016 into the economic impact of Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus.
The analysis was informed by research carried out by the Institute for Social and Economic Research (2010) at Zayed University which indicates that those with secondary level education in the UAE earn on average AED4,000 per month compared to AED10,000 per month by those with tertiary level education. Establishing a benchmark for a graduate premium by degree type was further informed by research carried out in the UK by The Department for Business Innovation and Skills and data OECD.
This compares well to a comparable study of European universities which found that for every job directly supported by these universities, 5.7 jobs were created in the wider economy.
BiGGAR Economics is an independent economic consultancy, founded in 2002. The consultancy provides a range of economic development services for central and local government, universities, private sector firms, economic development agencies, and other public sector bodies.
© Press Release 2016