Abu Dhabi students in international study

More than 130 engineering students enrolled at three universities in the capital have participated in a pilot study that aims to compare university learning outcomes for the first time on an international level, Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) officials announced yesterday. The study, the Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes Feasibility Study, is the first of its kind to look into the learning outcomes of university students in a consistent manner, Adec officials said. Results Final-year undergraduate students enrolled in civil engineering programmes at the UAE University, Abu Dhabi University and Al Hosn University were tested in a 90-minute session in May. Test performances will be compared, and results will be made available by the end of the year."By becoming involved in the [pilot] phase, Abu Dhabi universities… will have the opportunity to take part in the global higher education community committed to research…," said Dr Mugheer Al Khaili, director-general at Adec. The study was crafted by the Organisation for Economic Development and includes evaluations of final year students in three different streams of study, generic skills, economics and engineering. "A large share of econ-omic growth stems from technological development, and this is why the Adec has chosen to test the outcomes of Abu Dhabi engineering students in this pilot study," said Dr Rafic Makki, executive director of Adec's Office of Planning and Strategic Affairs, and acting executive director of higher education.