The Relationship of PR Program Learning Outcomes and Labor Market Requirements in the UAE

Abstract

Recently, technology has made public relations overlap with other fields. In the UAE labor market, the demand for technology has increased and government entities have moved to remote work. This study, therefore, examines the extent to which university public relations (PR) education outcomes meet the needs of the UAE labor market. It also investigates the extent to which UAE universities provide academic programs in PR that keep pace with the evolution of new media technologies. The study draws on systems theory because local universities, international universities, and the labor market form an interconnected system, and none of these components can work alone. Using the qualitative method, which relies primarily on benchmarks, UAE government entities can better understand whether PR graduates are receiving a tailored education and are well qualified to handle ever-changing tasks. The result shows that UAE universities are providing students in PR programs with the latest information and essential tools they need to enter the UAE labor market and keep pace with new technology. However, local universities need to improve students' technological skills, as there is a big difference compared to what international universities offer their students.