By Mariam Obaid
ABU DHABI — Zayed University students are privileged to have discounts for many services and shops. Students received information about these discounts from the university emails and on the ZU website. They also hear about them by word of mouth.
ZU students are given a 10- to 15-percent discount at M Venture Sea for water sports in Dubai, according to the university’s website.
The university’s website includes an Aramex 50 percent discount until May for students on Shop & Ship membership that allows students to have a physical delivery addresses in the United States, United Kingdom and China.
There are some discounts that aren’t included in the university’s website, but students are also using them.
Istyle, which is an Apple outlet in the Middle East, gives 5 to 8 percent discount for university students if they are willing to buy a Macbook Pro, Macbook Air or an iMac.
“Istyle gives discounts for students if they buy a Macbook,” said Wafa Al Hamed, 22, an international affairs student. “My sister used the discount when she bought her Macbook.”
Shaikha Mohammed, 19, an Academic Bridge Program student, said that Topshop gives discounts for university students.
“I saw a sign on top shop that says university students are given 10 percent discount,” she said.
Marwa Al Hosani, 21, a security and networking student, said that Splash gives discounts for university students. It’s quoted as being 10 percent.
“I’ve tried Splash’s discount,” she said. “I just wanted to try it for fun.”
Many students get their information about discounts from one or another either face to face or by text.
“I heard from my friend that New Look gives discounts for students,” said Mariam Saeed, 20, a general studies student.
Etisalat also provides university students with 25 percent discounts on mobile Internet and data packages, according to the Etisalat website.
“I know that Etisalat gives discounts for students, and I use it,” said Saeedah Saleh, 23, an Academic Bridge Program student.
Many students didn’t know about the discounts that they are available to them and were surprised when they’ve been informed.
“I didn’t know that we had any discounts at all,” said Asma Alabdulla, 19, a general studies student.
Miss Saeed said that there is a reason why many students don’t know about the discounts they are given.
“Shops don’t tell us about discounts that students have,” she said. “Maybe they think we are rich and don’t need discount.”
Some shops also give discounts to faculty. For example, Esquire, located in the Promenade in Abu Dhabi, gives discount for coffee purchases. Faculty also receive discounts from sports and fitness companies. Discounts on travel and hotel packages occasionally are given, too.
This story was originally published on March 30, 2013. It was re-uploaded on Nov. 2, 2020. The photo that accompanied this story was lost due to the loss of the domain name.
