In this exclusive interview with Gulf Education, Heriot-Watt University Dubai’s Associate Regional Director, Prospect Experience and Global Admissions Hub, Gary A Fernandes discusses the rise of AI-focused degrees, changing career trends, employability skills, and why resilience matters as much as academic scores.

Gulf Education: From your perspective, what are the most important factors CBSE students in the UAE should consider when choosing a university pathway after results?

Students today should look beyond just rankings or course titles and focus on future career relevance, flexibility of pathways, and long-term employability. We are seeing students and parents becoming far more thoughtful and research-driven in their decision-making, particularly in the UAE’s rapidly evolving economy.

At Heriot-Watt University Dubai, we have seen strong interest from over 1,400 CBSE offer holders this year across areas including Business, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Psychology, Engineering, and Design. Increasingly, students are considering how their degree aligns with industries shaping the future economy.

Students should also evaluate whether a university offers flexibility through progression pathways, advanced entry opportunities, global mobility, industry placements, and strong employer connections. For example, eligible high-performing CBSE students on selected programmes may qualify for Year 2 advanced entry, reducing both the time and overall cost required to complete an honours degree at Heriot-Watt University.

Students also have the opportunity to transfer between our global campuses in Dubai, the UK, and Malaysia, providing a truly international learning experience and global exposure. Most importantly, students should choose a pathway aligned with their strengths, interests, and long-term aspirations rather than focusing solely on short-term trends.

GE: Are you seeing any shifts in the subjects or career fields CBSE students are increasingly interested in (for example AI, business, engineering, design, etc.)?

Yes, we are seeing a very clear shift towards future-focused and technology-driven disciplines. This year, some of the strongest interest areas among our CBSE offer holders include Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Robotics, Business, Psychology, Engineering, and Design. At Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Mathematical and Computing Sciences alone has attracted interest from close to 500 CBSE offer holders, with Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science-related programmes seeing particularly strong growth. We are also seeing growing interest in interdisciplinary fields that combine technology, business, and human behaviour.

This shift reflects wider economic and workforce trends in the UAE and globally. The UAE’s continued investment in AI, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, and digital transformation, including the recently announced initiative to integrate agentic AI across government operations, is influencing how students think about future careers.

At the same time, traditional sectors are also evolving. For example, areas such as real estate, construction, finance, and business analytics are becoming increasingly data-driven and technology-enabled, creating demand for graduates with both technical and strategic skill sets.

GE: How important is it for students to align their university choices with long-term job market trends in the UAE and globally?

It is becoming increasingly important for students to understand how global economic and workforce trends are shaping future careers. The UAE continues to position itself as a global hub for innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and advanced industries, creating new opportunities across multiple sectors.

According to the UAE Central Bank, the UAE economy is projected to continue growing strongly, while sectors such as AI, data analytics, construction, finance, supply chain management, and advanced technology are seeing increased investment and demand. Students, however, should not simply chase trends. The most successful graduates are often those who combine personal strengths and interests with adaptable, future-relevant skills. Universities, therefore, have an important role in helping students balance passion with employability.

The opportunities will exist, but the real question is whether we are preparing students to seize them successfully. Students in the UAE, or those considering studying here, also benefit from a highly competitive and globally connected higher education environment. According to KHDA Open Data AY 2024/25, Dubai is home to over 41 higher education providers, including 37 international branch campuses.

At our university, we place a strong emphasis on industry relevance, practical learning, and global exposure. Many of our programmes incorporate industry projects and emerging technologies to help students graduate with the skills needed to adapt to a rapidly changing global economy. For example, our Bloomberg Suite gives students access to live global financial market data and analytics tools used across the industry, helping them develop practical insights into markets, business behaviour, and economic trends. This hands-on exposure supports students across disciplines and notably in Accounting, Finance, and Business Management. We also encourage innovation and entrepreneurship through initiatives such as our Edinburgh Business School Global Incubator, which supports students and early-stage entrepreneurs in developing scalable business ideas through mentorship, industry engagement, and access to professional networks across Dubai and Edinburgh.

GE: What advice would you give students who may not have achieved the results they were hoping for but still want strong university options?

Firstly, students should remember that one set of results does not define their future. Every year we see students who may not initially achieve their expected grades still go on to succeed through alternative pathways and progression opportunities. From an Admissions perspective, we always encourage students and parents to engage directly with universities, counsellors, teachers, professors, and trusted education advisors before making assumptions about the options available to them. Depending on the programme and individual circumstances, there may still be opportunities through alternative pathways like our Advanced Degree Entry Programme.

For example, students who have successfully passed but may not have secured the grades required for more competitive programmes, we work closely with our academic Schools to review applications carefully and, where appropriate, consider flexibility in entry thresholds while fully maintaining academic standards and programme integrity.

Students awaiting supplementary or re-evaluation outcomes should also stay engaged with admissions teams, as universities can reassess applications once updated results are available. Over the years at Admissions, we have learned that proper guidance and early engagement are critical to the student’s success. Resilience, adaptability, and mindset often matter just as much as grades over the long term.

GE: How do universities like Heriot-Watt support CBSE students transitioning from school-level learning to university expectations?

Transitioning from school to university is a significant step, both academically and personally. At Heriot-Watt University Dubai, we place strong emphasis on supporting students throughout this journey by combining academic guidance, practical learning, personalised support, and industry engagement.

Many CBSE students adapt well because they come from academically rigorous environments, but university learning requires greater independence, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. To support this transition, we offer Foundation programmes, academic skills support, peer engagement opportunities, and close interaction with faculty members.

We also focus strongly on employability and real-world exposure from an early stage. Through our Careers and Graduate Futures team, students gain access to internships, industry projects, employer workshops, networking events, guest lectures, and graduate opportunities across a wide range of sectors.

We work closely with employers and industry partners to help students build practical skills, workplace confidence, and career readiness alongside their academic studies. Our Careers and Graduate Futures team also regularly engages with prospective students and parents during Open Days, offering guidance on employability, industry trends, internships, and future career opportunities.

With over 5,600 students enrolled in AY 2025/26 representing 117 nationalities, Heriot-Watt University Dubai offers a truly multicultural and globally connected learning environment. This exposure helps students develop adaptability, communication skills, cultural awareness, and a global outlook; qualities that are increasingly important in today’s workforce. Our aim is not only to help students succeed academically, but also to prepare them for long-term career growth in a rapidly evolving global economy.

GE: In your view, what skills are becoming most important for students entering university today, beyond academic grades?

Academic performance remains important, but employers today are increasingly looking for students who can adapt, communicate effectively, think critically, and work across disciplines. As industries evolve rapidly through AI, automation, and digital transformation, technical knowledge alone is no longer enough.

Some of the most valuable skills students can develop today include problem-solving, creativity, resilience, teamwork, emotional intelligence, and the ability to continuously learn and evolve. We are also seeing growing importance placed on data fluency and understanding how technology intersects with business, society, and human behaviour.

The future workforce will likely see students working alongside AI-powered systems rather than competing against them. This means uniquely human skills such as leadership, judgement, ethical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration will become even more valuable.

We are already seeing this shift accelerate in the UAE. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently announced plans to integrate AI across 50% of government sectors, services, and operations over the next two years, positioning the UAE among the global leaders in AI adoption and digital transformation.

This will create significant opportunities for graduates who can combine technical knowledge with critical thinking, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills. Disciplines such as Psychology, Business, and Design Thinking will also play an increasingly important role in shaping how people interact with technology, how services are designed, and how organisations lead innovation in a more AI-enabled world.

At our university, we aim to develop not only academically strong graduates but also globally minded and future-ready individuals who can navigate change confidently and contribute meaningfully across industries and communities.