The Role Educational Institutions Play in the UAE Regional Economy Introduction A positive relationship between education , economic development , and growth had come of age in the United Arab Emirate (UAE ) and is showing good results . It had been a while back since UAE realized that the two main catalysts to increase productivity are education and training and there is a strong belief that they will introduce unprecedented advantage . The fact that the nation requires ongoing modernization that will heavily be dependant on the skills of its citizens had been understood by those who are in charge starting from a few decades back .That had instigated the government to avail free education for its citizens , as well as for other Arabic-speaking children of foreign expatriates who are in the country for work related reasons and are working for the public sector . The existing UAE education system that started as early as the 1970s has a four-tier-system . Starting from kindergarten , students would have to spend at least 14 years before they join the nation ‘s universities and higher learning establishments that offer undergraduate , Master , and Ph .D . programs . The citizens have a choice of remaining in the country and further their education at the local universities or they can participate in the generous scholarship programs that would enable them to go abroad and complete their education at renowned universities . There are also technology colleges established around 1988 that offer three year training in subject areas ,such as business administration , accounting , financial sector service ,IT , computer science , advanced engineering , aviation service , and medical and health training .Furthermore , once students complete their education and join the government civil service , such employees are required to attend at least one seminar offer locally or internationally , by higher establishments such as universities on a yearly basis . This could be highlighted as one key area where higher learning establishments are contributing to regional economies according to what Schultz (1961 ) called accumulation of human capital by engaging in a lifetime learning process that will directly enhance the productivity of the workers as they pass through higher hierarchies of assuming responsibilities . Others had also emphasized that the improved skill of the workforce of any nation is highly determinant as to how the economy performs . Based on such findings , universities and higher learning establishments are having a direct hand in shaping what kind of economic future the various regions in the UAE would have , as well as to put to effective use what the nation generates from it oil wealth (International Report .Business Start-up It is also possible to look at the direct roles the various universities in the UAE are playing in the various key sectors of the economy . One good area among many to look at is business start-up since that is what ushers in the private sector of any nation , which is an integral part of the overall economy of any country . Lately , the advent of modern education is giving it a boost and is showing a tremendous…