Choosing university is a marathon, not a sprint

If proper "research" is completed by students, then they'll get the best of their ability for admission success

What's the "end game" of high school, especially for international, multilingual, multicultural students in Dubai? The answer is 'university.'
A student's high school experience is a journey leading to higher education, and this journey is a marathon, not a sprint.
How better to prepare for this expensive, life-changing journey than to "train for it":
(1)as students by investigating potential universities, careers and academic paths, and (2) as schools to develop relationships with effective higher education partners to motivate, nurture, mentor and expand the thinking of potential students.
The more research done by students with partner institutions for post-graduation choices, the more educated and purposeful the transition will be for both students and families. "College thinking" should start in middle school (grades 7 and 8) to investigate college options, potential career paths, and to prepare for the "Go Live" period - the four year high school journey that showcases each student's academic curriculum and supplemental activities.
This "Go Live" period is reviewed by universities on a holistic (whole student) process where all facets of a student's record are evaluated and weighted in different manners per the admission criteria.  Middle and high school years offer students and schools valuable time to investigate college choices to get the final choice right, which involves research and trust built with school partners over time.
If proper "research" is completed by students, then they'll get the best of their ability for admission success, which will also help increase their undergraduate success.
Relationships with colleges, alums, researchers, etc., are important to develop early so students learn how to confidently build their own relationships as they refine college choices throughout high school.
Capitalising on this relationship in a custom manner for each student over time can help lead to college acceptances, better academic choices for future careers, and scholarships.  It's a two way street: colleges want relationships with schools to help share their resources/options for post-secondary success, and students want informed, trusting communication to help make good decisions about one of the most expensive purchases they will make with their family: a college degree.