Dubai, May 3, 2008: Over 70 per cent of university students are keen to take up further studies in the near future, according to the results of a graduate exit survey conducted by the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD).

The survey revealed that about 76 per cent of undergraduate respondents were interested in obtaining a Master's degree, while 60 per cent of postgraduate were keen to obtain a doctoral degree, indicating a strong demand for PhD programs.

The survey, conducted by UOWD's Office of Institutional Research and Quality in November and December 2007, also threw up interesting figures about employability after graduation. In the final year of study, only 18 per cent of respondents were not employed. The private sector was the largest employer of UOWD graduates, employing 64 per cent undergraduate and 60 per cent postgraduate working students.

The average monthly salary for undergraduates was AED 11,667, and for postgraduates AED 18,774, according to the survey.

"The results show that the 2007 satisfaction ratings were higher than 2006 scores on all statements relating to university experience, indicating improvements in all areas," said David Rome, President of UOWD. "The survey also provided new insights into student expectations and the employment market."

Overall, graduates in 2007 agreed that their university experience was positive. The respondents acknowledged that the university experience stimulated their enthusiasm for further learning and encouraged them to explore new ideas.

Results from the 2007 graduate exit survey have been fed into UOWD's operational and strategic planning mechanisms that would lead to development of short-term and long-term action plans to further enhance the experience of students at UOWD and achieve its vision of "achieving distinction as a teaching and research university with a region-wide reputation for high-quality, student-centred undergraduate and graduate education."

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About University of Wollongong Dubai
Established in 1993, UOWD was the first Australian university in Dubai to be licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research. Located at Knowledge Village, it boasts 2500 students from 80 different nationalities. It is part of one of Australia's best performing research institutions, the University of Wollongong Australia (UOW) which is recognised as one of the top Australian universities for excellence in teaching performance. UOW was included in the Times Higher Education Supplement's list of the World's Top 200 Universities in 2007.

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© Press Release 2008