Education & Research

In a significant move to enhance efficiency in the education sector, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has introduced a streamlined process for licensing higher education institutions and accrediting academic programs.

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy programme, aiming to simplify procedures, reduce paperwork, and ensure faster approvals for universities and academic courses.

New University Evaluation Framework

The ministry has also launched a unified, outcome-based evaluation framework for both new and existing institutions. The framework assesses universities based on six key performance indicators (KPIs) with assigned weightings:

1️⃣ Learning outcomes – 25%
2️⃣ Scientific research outcomes – 15%
3️⃣ Employment outcomes – 25%
4️⃣ Collaboration with partners – 20%
5️⃣ Reputation and global presence – 10%
6️⃣ Community engagement – 5%

This performance-based approach ensures that higher education institutions meet international standards while focusing on quality learning, research, and employability.

Faster Licensing & Accreditation with Fewer Documents

As part of the reforms, the number of required documents for licensing and accreditation has been significantly reduced, making the process more accessible for institutions:

📌 New Institutional Licensing – Reduced from 28 documents to 5
📌 New Academic Programme Accreditation – Reduced from 13 documents to 1
📌 Renewal of Institutional Licensure/Academic Accreditation – Reduced from 11+ documents to 1
📌 New Programme Accreditation for Existing Institutions – Reduced from 13 documents to 1

Drastic Reduction in Approval Time

🔹 New Institutional Licensing – Reduced from 6 months to 1 week
🔹 New Academic Programme Accreditation – Reduced from 9 months to 1 week
🔹 Renewal of Accreditation – Reduced from 9 months to a maximum of 3 months

Immediate Licensing & Accreditation for Recognized Institutions

The updated system allows for instant licensing for universities already accredited by trusted bodies in their respective countries. Additionally, internationally recognized academic programs can receive immediate accreditation without undergoing the full approval process.

Impact on UAE’s Higher Education Sector

The new regulations are expected to:

✅ Attract more international universities to set up campuses in the UAE.
✅ Encourage innovation by allowing quicker approvals for new academic programs.
✅ Improve global rankings for UAE institutions by focusing on learning outcomes, employment rates, and research impact.
✅ Reduce bureaucracy and make it easier for institutions to expand and adapt to market needs.

By streamlining these processes, the UAE is positioning itself as a leading hub for higher education, ensuring institutions can focus on academic excellence rather than administrative hurdles.

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