Impact of Data Mining Techniques on Student Retention, within International Universities in the U.A.E.

Abstract

A rapid rise in population and demand for higher education led to considerable investment in the education sector in United Arab Emirates. UAE universities are facing a lot of challenges among which student retention a crucial one. Student retention is an indicator of academic performance and enrolment management and it is a major apprehension in all international universities of higher learning in UAE due to numerous reasons. Periodic global economic slowdown due to various reasons is also a factor that has impact on the student population in the UAE. It is important for higher educational institutions to have a clear commitment to student retention. By investigating the reasons for student satisfaction, retention and dropout, it is possible to improve student satisfaction, and retention rate. This paper analyzes the importance of education data mining in the international universities operating in the northern emirates of the UAE.