Edexcel, the UK's leading academic and vocational qualifications awarding body, has urged UAE universities to transfer credits of vocational training programs to allow working people to pursue lifelong learning.

“We urge universities in the UAE to allow candidates who have completed BTEC national diploma or higher national diploma qualifications to transfer their credits to bachelors or masters degrees,” said Mark Andrews, Mena regional director, Edexcel, part of Pearson, the world’s leading education services provider.

“This will go a long way in permitting people to continue their education without compromising their careers."

Currently, only three UAE universities – Middlesex, Heriot-Watt and American University in Emirates – compared to 48 in the UK allow holders of Edexcel BTEC HNDs to transfer credits to the relevant associate or bachelors programmes, he said.

“A large portion of the population in the Gulf is below 22 years of age. These people will enter the job market soon and it is imperative to arm them with the right professional tools, besides the theoretical knowledge,” Andrews added.

“The region’s education system is working to support the rising demand for skill sets and this is one of the most effective ways of doing so. Moreover, employability of students is a big challenge if not accompanied with practical skills and knowledge”.

“UAE universities are renowned for their academic excellence and commitment to delivering professionally relevant programmes,” Andrews continued.

“In order to maintain that reputation, they must either start preparing students for the workplace by adding more vocational courses or qualifications to the official curriculum in order to meet employers’ needs, or at least recognise the value of vocational qualifications by granting holders of such qualifications credit towards a university degree,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service