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Start-up aviation varsity shuts shop

DUBAI — Students of a start-up aviation university in Dubai were shocked to receive e-mails a few weeks ago informing them that the university is closing down by the end of this month. The faculty members of the university have also reportedly lost their jobs.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise University (DAEU), which would suspend all classes from August 31, attributed its decision to the slump in demand for aerospace professionals, despite aggressive marketing in the UAE and around the world till recently.

Meanwhile, Emirates Airline's Aviation College has offered to admit some of these students.

The majority of the students were out of the country on vacation when the year-old university notified them through emails about the closure.

"We were all on vacation. We were stunned to see the email," said a student, who is pursuing the four-year Flight and Aviation Management Bachelor's degree.

The locally accredited university, based at Dubai International Academic City, told its first year bachelor degree students and hundreds of new applicants that the "development of the university was being put on hold" due to the economic recession in the aviation industry.

"It is with deep regret that we inform you that plans for DAEU are to be put on hold as the economic recession tightens its grip on the aviation industry. Against a backdrop of growing uncertainty affecting many businesses, academic courses are being postponed until demand returns," stated the email to the university's 20-odd local, expatriate and overseas students.

"How could the authorities play with our future?" asked a student, expressing surprise at the ‘economic recession’, as stated in the email, in a booming Middle East aviation sector. The email added the university officials would help the students gain admission in a comparable university and ensure that appropriate credits are transferred. It would also offer financial support for qualified students to continue their studies elsewhere.

Confirming the decision, DAEU officials said in a statement to Khaleej Times, "Our university students have always been of paramount concern and following the decision in July to put the development of our university on hold, the institution's 20 students were immediately advised and offered support to help them transfer to other universities."

Mohammed Al Budoor, Vice-Chancellor of Emirates Aviation College, said, "Emirates Aviation College, in consultation with the management of Dubai Aerospace University, are accepting the transfer of students from the programmes at DAU to EAC. In fact, some students have already been accepted at EAC.”

preeti@khaleejtimes.com

zoe@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE