Government

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has unveiled a streamlined system for institutional licensure and programme accreditation for UAE-based higher education institutions (HEIs). This initiative includes the adoption of an Outcome-Based Evaluation Framework under Ministerial Resolutions No. (27) of 2024 and No. (62) of 2025. The move establishes clear pathways for licensure and accreditation while implementing a unified evaluation framework based on performance indicators.

Faster and Simplified Licensure & Accreditation

As part of this initiative, the document requirements have been significantly reduced to enhance efficiency. New institutions will now require only five documents, down from 28, to obtain a licence. The paperwork for first-time academic programme accreditation has been reduced from 13 documents to just one, while the requirements for renewing institutional licensure have been lowered from more than 11 to just one. Similarly, existing HEIs seeking accreditation for a new programme will now only need one document instead of 13.

His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary of MoHESR, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Ministry’s commitment to simplifying services under the Zero Government Bureaucracy programme. He further highlighted that this decision supports the Ministry’s broader strategy to enhance higher education quality, aligning outcomes with labour market needs and fostering lifelong learning.

Significant Reduction in Processing Time

The ministerial decision significantly shortens the licensure and accreditation timeline. If all requirements are met:

• The licensure process for new institutions has been reduced from six months to one week.

• Accreditation for new academic programmes now takes only one week instead of nine months.

• The renewal for accreditation of existing programmes has been reduced from nine months to a maximum of three months.

Additionally, a risk-based management system will be introduced for renewing institutional licensure and academic accreditations. Low-risk institutions will receive a six-year licence with oversight every three years, whereas high-risk institutions will be granted a two-year licence with annual monitoring.

Unified Evaluation Framework

Dr. Al Mualla emphasized that the new framework provides all accredited UAE-based HEIs with a unified evaluation mechanism based on clear performance indicators, ensuring institutions are assessed based on measurable outcomes. The framework identifies six key pillars, each assigned a specific weight:

• Employment Outcomes (25%)

• Learning Outcomes (25%)

• Collaboration with Partners (20%)

• Scientific Research Outcomes (15%)

• Reputation and Global Presence (10%)

• Community Engagement (5%)

These pillars will be evaluated through predefined performance indicators to ensure a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of HEIs.

Streamlined Accreditation Procedures

The decision outlines clear pathways for new institutions to obtain a licence and accreditation and for existing institutions to renew institutional licensure or programme accreditations. Adding or closing an academic unit will require prior approval from MoHESR. Furthermore, licensure procedures will be unified between MoHESR and local education authorities. Institutions will receive Ministry licensure upon obtaining local approval, and internationally accredited academic programmes will be automatically recognized without additional procedures, streamlining the service and enhancing efficiency.

This decision applies to all existing HEIs licensed by the Ministry and to new institutions seeking licensure from MoHESR.

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