MoHESR partners with Microsoft to develop AI agents for higher education in the UAE

Technology

MoHESR partners with Microsoft to develop AI agents for higher education in the UAE

The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has announced a new collaboration with Microsoft to research and develop prototype artificial intelligence (AI) agents aimed at enhancing higher education delivery and research outcomes across the country.

The initiative will leverage Microsoft Azure and cloud-based AI capabilities to design and test advanced AI agents aligned with national education and innovation priorities. The announcement was made on 6 February 2026.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said the partnership supports the UAE’s long-term innovation strategy.

He noted that MoHESR is committed to strengthening the country’s position as a global hub for innovation and advanced research and building a sustainable, resilient and future-ready nation. He added that collaboration with Microsoft will deepen engagement across the higher education and scientific research ecosystem while aligning research and innovation outcomes with national priorities.

The collaboration will focus on developing four prototype AI agents designed to support different areas of the higher education system. These include a Lifelong Learning and Skills Progression agent to guide career pathways and in-demand skills development; a Faculty Enablement and Course Co-Creation agent to help educators update curricula and co-design courses with industry partners; a Student Personalised Learning agent to provide tailored academic support; and a Research Mission Alignment agent to connect research activity with national missions and real-world challenges.

MoHESR and Microsoft will also explore further opportunities in data analytics, machine learning and applied AI, using a participatory design approach that includes faculty, students and industry stakeholders.

Amr Kamel, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, said agentic AI can significantly improve education systems by enabling more personalised learning experiences and increasing operational efficiency. He added that adopting agentic AI in education can help position the UAE at the forefront of global innovation and prepare future generations for a knowledge-based economy.

According to MoHESR, the partnership reflects its broader strategy to expand private-sector collaboration in innovation and ideation, and to build an interconnected ecosystem that equips students with future-ready skills for the labour market.