UAE Ministry of Higher Education Partners with QS to Boost Global Competitiveness of Universities
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has announced a landmark partnership with Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the global authority behind the QS World University Rankings, to enhance the international standing and competitiveness of UAE’s higher education institutions.
The collaboration will involve a comprehensive performance evaluation of UAE-based universities using QS’s globally recognized analytics, benchmarking tools, and consultancy expertise. The initiative aims to identify areas for strategic growth, foster institutional excellence, and align the UAE’s academic landscape with global best practices.
His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary of MoHESR, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership:
“The UAE recognises the vital role of an innovative and future-ready higher education sector in equipping the next generations with the skills and knowledge needed to shape a bright future for the nation. The collaboration with QS reflects our commitment to enhancing the performance of UAE universities and boosting their global competitiveness.”
He added that gaining a holistic view of university performance through global benchmarking will allow the Ministry to identify potential areas of improvement and implement targeted strategies.
Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA) at QS, welcomed the partnership, stating:
“We are honoured to collaborate with the Ministry on this transformative initiative. This project reinforces the UAE’s vision of academic excellence, global impact, and informed decision-making. Through robust data insights and benchmarking, our goal is to support UAE universities in building stronger global connections and advancing their contribution to the nation’s knowledge-based economy.”
The initiative will roll out over four phases across six months:
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Capacity Building – QS will train university representatives on data definitions, submission protocols, and ranking methodologies.
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Data Submission and Validation – Participating universities will submit data for rigorous verification.
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Benchmarking and Gap Analysis – QS will conduct global comparisons, identify performance gaps, and run simulation models.
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Reporting and Strategic Roadmapping – Each university will receive a tailored report with strategic insights, while a national report will summarize sector-wide findings. A final ministerial workshop will help align outcomes with the UAE’s National Strategy for Higher Education 2030.
With 12 UAE universities currently featured in the QS World University Rankings and several institutions climbing steadily, this partnership builds on the country’s growing reputation for educational excellence. QS’s global network, spanning collaborations with 18 governments and thousands of universities, reinforces the UAE’s ambition to become a world leader in higher education innovation and impact.
