Interview with Dr. Mariam Shaikh: Supporting Students and Building Global Education Opportunities

Dr. Mariam Shaikh is a respected education leader and the Founder and CEO of MS Education Consultants. With close to four decades of experience in the education sector across the UAE, she has played a key role in supporting students, building international university partnerships, and expanding global learning opportunities. 

In her career, she has served alongside various leading institutions and has advocated for access to education. In this interview, Dr. Shaikh reveals her experience in learning and teaching, her goals in international education, and how she believes she can help students achieve meaningful academic and professional experiences.

Amira: Tell us about yourself and your professional journey.

Dr. Mariam Shaikh:

My education has been a long and rewarding process. I have served in the UAE education sector for the past 40 years, focusing on student development, institutional growth, and international collaborations. I am the Founder and CEO of MS Education Consultants today, and I still assist students who are interested in pursuing academic opportunities across the globe.

Interestingly, I started my career in the field of education in a very personal manner. I was in Ras Al Khaimah in the early 80s when I was seeking a good preschool to take my children. The number of options at the time was very limited. I chose not to accept the situation and took a step forward and opened a nursery school at home. What started as a small project slowly became a recognized preschool that accommodated families of various nationalities.

That experience opened me up to the realm of education and demonstrated to me how valuable this work can be. I shifted to school leadership over the years and then to higher education. Every step of my career presented me with new learning opportunities and chances to make a difference.

Amira: What inspired you to dedicate your career to education?

Dr. Mariam Shaikh:

Education has been the way I have always been. I experienced firsthand how the right learning environment can determine a child and their confidence. It was so satisfying to see young children learn and develop in the preschool that I established.

My career progressed and I came to know that education is much more than classes and books. It concerns direction, mentoring, and assisting students in finding opportunities that they may not even be aware of. There are a lot of good youths who just require guidance and motivation.

This realization made me more dedicated to the discipline. I felt that I should go on helping students beyond the early years of education to help them in their university and career experiences. I was inspired to assist them in the correct academic course.

Amira: You have worked with several universities in the UAE. What were some important milestones in your career?

Dr. Mariam Shaikh:

The most memorable experience of my career was my involvement in the formation of the University of New Brunswick campus in Dubai Knowledge Village. The concept of international branch campuses was not very advanced in the region at that time. It was thrilling and difficult to be involved in such a process.

The start of a new campus necessitated creating awareness, creating partnerships, and winning the confidence of students and parents. It was an educational experience that enabled me to comprehend the way international organizations work in an international setting

Subsequently, I got a chance to work in a few other universities in Dubai with high prestige, such as Canadian University Dubai, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Amity University Dubai, the University of Guelph, and Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). In these, I was concerned with student recruitment, meaningful collaborations, and assisting institutions to reach out to learners worldwide.

All these have been rewarding moments and most recently, I have been engaged with Georgian Global, which is a subsidiary of Georgian College Canada and the first Canadian training center in the UAE licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). The program aims at supporting professional growth by providing programs of relevance to the industry in high-growth areas, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, automotive innovation, healthcare, hospitality, and sports management. Participating in its creation has enabled me to help in creating avenues bridging academic knowledge with industry requirements, enabling students and professionals to acquire future-proof, practical skills.

It has been very gratifying to see these universities and initiatives expanding, developing, and eventually allowing students to obtain a high-quality international education. It further confirms why I am so enthusiastic about education; it changes lives, opens the world, and equips individuals to succeed in a rapidly competitive world.

Amira: What motivated you to establish MS Education Consultants?

Dr. Mariam Shaikh:

I have spent a long time working in universities, and I believe I need to develop a platform where I can personally mentor students and families. In 2020, I established MS Education Consultants, aiming to support students in finding education opportunities in the international world.

The time was also intriguing since it was during the global pandemic. When most of the people were decelerating, I was inspired to begin something new. I also had a desire to apply my experience and assist students in making well-informed choices regarding their academic future.

We help students to get into universities in countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, and even in Europe through the consultancy. We also collaborate with institutions that are in need of growing the number of international students.

In my case, it is giving sincere advice. Students and parents get confused when it comes to selecting universities. My job is to make it easy and to assist them in getting the most suitable.

Amira: What makes your consultancy different from others in the field?

Dr. Mariam Shaikh:

Experience behind the organization is one of the major differences. I am a veteran of almost 40 years of experience in the university setting, and I am aware of the expectations of students and the needs of institutions.

We help students with a step-by-step approach at MS Education Consultants. This involves making the correct choice, application preparation, visa processes, and even career options upon graduation.

The other initiative we have launched is the Cultural and Higher Education Experience Program in Dubai. This program will enable students to explore campuses, participate in workshops and get a glimpse of the academic atmosphere prior to arriving at their final decisions.

Such experiences make the students more confident about their options. Learning is a big choice in life and we feel it ought to be treated with a lot of care.

Amira: You are also involved in initiatives that support refugee students. Could you tell us more about that?

Dr. Mariam Shaikh:

I am very close to supporting refugee students. During my experience at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), I have participated in initiatives to provide young individuals who have been displaced an opportunity to study.

Most of the refugee students are very motivated and talented and yet they have great challenges in terms of accessing higher education. They are usually hampered by financial constraints and legal constraints.

To help address this issue, I work with partner universities to encourage scholarships and internship opportunities for these students. An opportunity can transform the life of a person even once.

Education brings about stability, dignity and hope. Refugee students are also able to give back to society when they get an opportunity to study and establish their careers.

Amira: You have received several recognitions throughout your career. Which achievements are most meaningful to you?

Dr. Mariam Shaikh:

I have luckily got a number of awards during my lifetime, although the awards that are significant to me are those that have been given to me at the most critical time of my life. Among them, the GCC Woman Leadership Award, which I won in 2019, can be mentioned. It was a timely experience in my work life and, indeed, was a motivating experience to keep on with my work in education and leadership even more diligently.

The other highly significant acknowledgment is the fact that I was recognized by the Al Jalila foundation where my name was written on their Wall of Fame. This recognition was particularly important as I have been helping in mentoring student entrepreneurs and education in the region, which are quite close to my heart.

I also appreciate the fact that I have been empowered by my efforts in empowering students and enabling them to access global education opportunities. Be it the number of students we have been able to assist in getting scholarships, sending them to universities in other countries, or even mentoring young experts, these achievements are what make me think that what we do is not in vain.

Finally, although it is good to be recognized, the important thing to me is the impact I can leave on the lives of people. The most fulfilling success of all is to observe my students not only succeed, but also develop and continue to make their own impact.

Amira: What are your goals for the future?

Dr. Mariam Shaikh:

In the future, I intend to increase the scope of MS Education Consultants and establish better relationships with universities in various parts of the world. Education is in a constant state of flux, and new technologies and learning models have to be adopted by the institutions.

I would also love to develop mentorship programs that would assist students in preparing to work in the global field. School success is valued, though in addition to it, practical skills and advice are necessary to students as they join the workforce.

My other priority is to remain an advocate for refugee students and underserved communities. The situation of a person should not affect access to education. All students have a right to be educated and develop.

Amira: Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs and young professionals?

Dr. Mariam Shaikh:

My advice is simple: stay patient and stay committed. Success rarely happens overnight. It requires effort, persistence, and a willingness to learn from challenges.

I also push individuals to be balanced in their lives. Careers are significant, and personal well-being and relationships are equally important.

Above all, trust in the worth of education. The power of knowledge is able to open doors and present opportunities that can mould the future. It is the belief that has been my path in various years and something that drives all my actions today.