282 Int. J. Services, Economics and Management, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2012 Copyright © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Determinants of student satisfaction in higher education: an empirical study in Dubai Sanjai K. Parahoo* E-School of Business and Quality Management, Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, P.O. Box 71 400, Dubai, UAE E-mail: s.parahoo@hbmeu.ac.ae E-mail: s.parahoo@gmail.com *Corresponding author Rana M. Tamim College of Education, Zayed University, P.O. Box 19 282, Dubai, UAE E-mail: rana.tamim@zu.ac.ae E-mail: rm.tamim@gmail.com Abstract: We develop and empirically validate a student satisfaction modelling technology-enabled university environments. We use focus groups at a university in Dubai and an intensive literature review to propose a theoretical model that involves different types of student interactions; perceptions of infrastructure; and university branding as independent variables influencing student satisfaction as outcome variable. Using data collected from a random sample of 99 students, we empirically test the model using linear regression analysis. Two variables, branding and interactions of students with administrative staff are found to significantly influence student satisfaction, accounting for 61% of variance. Implications are discussed and suggestions for future research are given. With its specific context, the study requires replication in other countries to determine whether the findings are generalisable. This study is one of the rare occasions when a structural model of student satisfaction in technology-enabled environments in the Middle East has been subjected to empirical scrutiny. Keywords: student interactions; service quality; satisfaction; university branding; reputation; image; higher education; technology-enabled environment; Dubai. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Parahoo, S.K. and Tamim, R.M. (2012) ‘Determinants of student satisfaction in higher education: an empirical study in Dubai’, Int. J. Services, Economics and Management, Vol. 4, No. 4, pp.282–297. Biographical notes: Sanjai K. Parahoo is the Director for graduate programmes at the Business School at Hamdan Bin Mohammed e-University, Dubai. He holds a BTech from IIT Delhi, an MBA (Mauritius) and a PhD (Mauritius and FACIREM, La Reunion). He has extensive project management and contract research experience in various African countries. His research interests and publications are in the field of consumer behaviour in business and e-learning environments.