More UAE students dump the idea of US education

They also cite tighter immigration laws as a discouraging factor for the students to seek education in the US.

Representatives of universities told Khaleej Times that American colleges are facing stiff competition from the international colleges that have cropped up in the UAE.

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Paul Gaspari, programme coordinator of US-based International Student Network, 'The number of students coming to the US is definitely going down as a lot of international colleges are popping up here and they are competing directly with the universities in the US.

'Renowned colleges from various countries, including the US, are setting up base here and many students prefer them to the traditional American schools.'

Stiff immigration rules also discouraged students from applying to US colleges and universities, he added. Robert J. Dlouhy, master faculty specialist at the Western Michigan University, said, 'The education infrastructure around the world has improved in the last one decade and there are many more quality graduation schools available today, and the UAE is no exception.

'There is a diminishing interest in undergraduate courses. After 9/11, US government made immigration laws tighter, with the result countries like the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia have picked up.'

He pointed out that educational institutions have been lobbying hard to get the American regulations relaxed for students desirous of pursuing their studies in the US.

Judy Reed, Director of Intensive English Language Programme at Portland State University in Portland, observed that international colleges in the UAE were a source of concern.

'International schools are a concern but it is a great opportunity for students in the UAE to travel and pursue studies in the US. 'Even if they do study in the best colleges here, they cannot get the American experience. The scenario is much better and students don't face problems with visas,' she asserted.'