Representatives from leading Japanese universities and tertiary education institutions are currently visiting the United Arab Emirates in efforts to enrol some of the UAE’s brightest high school and university graduate students to continue their education in Japan. Their visit coincides with the UAE’s largest higher education event, NAJAH Abu Dhabi, and NAJAH Dubai, which will be held from 27 – 29 October 2021, and the 31st of October to 1st of November, 2021 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and Dubai Exhibition Centre at EXPO 2020 respectively.
The promotional drive is spearheaded by JICE (Japan International Cooperation Center), which has the goal of encouraging Emirati students to develop their academic acumen in Japan. JICE will play host the Japan pavilions that will be set up at both NAJAH Abu Dhabi and NAJAH Dubai events. Here prospective students and their families will be able to meet with representatives from a number of prestigious Japanese educational institutions, both in person and online through dedicated Smart Stands, that connect the students directly to the representatives in Japan.
Seven leading Japanese universities and institutions will be present at the events including:
- Kobe Institute of Computing
- Kyoto University of Advanced Science
- Kyushu University
- Ritumeikan University
- Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University
- The University of Aizu
- University of Hyogo
Emirati students who have previously studied in Japan will also be present at the Japan Pavilions to offer hands-on information and details of their own experiences of studying in Japan. JICE Abu Dhabi Office staff members will also be on hand to offer consultation for prospect students and their families wanting further information.
All 7 participating universities at the Japan Pavilion not only provide undergraduate and postgraduate education in the Japanese language, but also offer courses in English, especially in fields that tend to be most popular among UAE students such as engineering, data science, information and communication technologies (ICT), robotics, international relations and business.
Most of these universities offer double-degree programs with overseas affiliated universities to actively seeking international students. Additionally, support systems for learning Japanese is provided, as well as internship programs through industry-academia collaboration. A scholarship system unique to each university is also offered.
Kyushu University, ranked 137th in the recent QS World University Rankings, is present at NAJAH with a representative to meet in-person at the Japan Pavilion. The university also leads 23 other renowned universities in Japan within the J-MENA network, which collectively provides support and guidance to students from the Middle East to study in Japan.
Mr. Yutaroh Oki, Associate Professor of Kyushu University says: “It is one of the best universities in Japan and the School of Engineering and the School of Agriculture are particularly renowned for their academic achievement. Both schools offer undergraduate programs in English. With the extensive support for international students, about 80 students from the Middle East enroll at Kyushu University every year. We look forward to welcoming students from the UAE”
Says Mr. Shigeto Aoki, General Manager, JICE Abu Dhabi Office: “The Japan Pavilion generated a huge amount of interest at NAJAH in 2019, with 6,700 out of the entire 17,000 visitors to NAJAH 2019 stopping at our stand. Despite the current situation, 8,000 to 10,000 visitors for NAJAH Abu Dhabi and 8,000 visitors to NAJAH Dubai are expected this year.”
Aoki continues; “Since the opening of the JICE Abu Dhabi office in 2013, the number of Emirati students studying in Japan for both degree and non-degree programmes has been increasing. Currently 83 Emirati students are studying in Japan.”
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