MIDDLE EAST, UAE, DUBAI, More and more Emirati students opting for media studies

Dubai, UAE: Hessa Al Shuweihi is one of the growing number of Emiratis who choose to study media at university.

But she chose to do so at the women’s campus of the Dubai Higher Colleges of Technology where, unlike some other universities, the teaching is in English.

Ms Al Shuweihi believes the increasing number of Emiratis studying media may be because some of the courses are taught in Arabic and are seen as easier options.

“You don’t have to pass your Toefl [English examination to qualify for degree study] and it’s not seen as so difficult like other subjects,” she said.

When she told her family she had chosen media at HCT, 21-year-old Ms Al Shuweihi, from Sharjah, said she had their full support.

The course includes print journalism, public relations and film making.

There are positive role models who can promote the sector as a career, particularly for Emirati women, she said.

She gave the example of Noura Al Kaabi, the head of Twofour54 in Abu Dhabi.

“When I started I just thought about filmmaking, but then I realised there is no big industry in this area, so I decided to focus on a career I can find a career in”, such as public relations, Ms Al Shuweihi said.

“There are a lot of options available to Emirati women. It doesn’t bother me whether I am in a government agency or not. There are plenty of options out there.”