@ADU_Tweets 10% surge in new ADU students underlines global power shift towards Abu Dhabi as an emerging student magnet

1,100 new students from 5 continents lured by ADU’s globally competitive programs and Abu Dhabi’s attractions

In a 10% rise from last year, Abu Dhabi University has attracted 1,100 new students for the 2013-14 academic year. The students hail from five continents, further enriching the cosmopolitan student community that boasts almost 70 nationalities. At a time when many traditionally popular student destinations worldwide have witnessed a decline in enrollment, the growth at ADU suggests a power shift towards emerging destinations like Abu Dhabi, as a magnet for regional and international students.        

ADU’s new students can pursue 24 undergraduate and 10 postgraduate programs, and have already been given an orientation and tour so they can instantly acclimatize and settle in their adopted home for the next few years. The orientation activities included an electrifying light show and Club Fair in which students were introduced to the vibrant extracurricular life, encouraging them to unleash their talents in sports, arts, sciences, culture and much more.

Commenting on the increase in enrollment numbers, Dr Nabil Ibrahim, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University said: “I can reassure all the new members of the ADU family that you have made one of the best decisions of your lives. You are not here by accident, but because you are the “best of the best”, from the many thousands of applications we attract worldwide. By choosing Abu Dhabi University, you have chosen exceptional programs - some of which are the only ones of their kind in the entire country. You have chosen an effervescent social life in the dazzling attractions of Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s emerging tourist hubs and financial capitals. But above all, you have chosen to join over 90% of our graduates who are absorbed by the job market every year. Whatever your career aspirations, at Abu Dhabi University the only limit is your imagination.”

The capital’s growing popularity among students has been partly attributed to the fact that many global corporations are choosing to root their regional headquarters in the city, which in turn increases the partnerships between the business community and the academic community. ADU has already signed partnerships with influential entities like Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX), among others.

The 2,041 male and 2,341 female students at ADU have a choice of two campuses: one in the heart of the capital, within touching distance of Abu Dhabi’s attractions; and the other in the Garden City of Al Ain, providing a more tranquil and relaxing setting.

Dr Ibrahim went on to point out: “It is no coincidence that we are now the UAE’s top university in social media interaction, because everything we do revolves around two-way interaction with our students. We give them the voice to freely express their opinions, and we crowd-source student-driven solutions that can impact their campus, their city and ultimately their world. We have given international students a warm Emirati hospitality and we are now their ‘home away from home’, thousands of miles way. With each day that passes, students will appreciate that our cultural, artistic, sporting, entertainment, leisure and other attractions are truly a once in a lifetime experience.”