UAE Ministry of Higher Education Partners with Times Higher Education to Elevate National Universities
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has entered into a strategic partnership with Times Higher Education (THE) to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the UAE’s higher education landscape. This initiative is designed to enhance the global competitiveness of UAE-based universities and strengthen their contribution to the country’s knowledge-based economy.
A Milestone in UAE’s Higher Education Sector
The announcement was made in conjunction with Emirati Day for Education, celebrated under the theme ‘Education By Everyone, For Everyone’, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to advancing its education system in alignment with national development goals.
His Excellency Dr. Hassan AlMheiri, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education & Scientific Research Regulation and Governance Sector, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating:
“The UAE recognises that a strong higher education sector is fundamental to achieving development, progress, and success at the individual, community, and national levels. Our partnership with THE will enable us to assess the strengths and areas for improvement across our higher education institutions (HEIs), ensuring they are even better positioned to produce world-class graduates and contribute to societal progress.”
Comprehensive Five-Phase Assessment
The five-phase project will evaluate UAE-based universities using global benchmarks, identifying key areas for growth and development:
- Nationwide Engagement – Universities will receive training on THE's ranking methodology and data submission processes.
- Data Submission and Quality Assurance – Institutions will provide data across 11 subjects for benchmarking analysis.
- Simulation and Rankings Production – UAE universities will be ranked and compared with their global counterparts.
- Higher Education Landscape Analysis – Local and federal education policies will be assessed in alignment with THE World University Rankings.
- International Peer Benchmarking – UAE universities will be compared against top-tier global institutions.
Strengthening UAE’s Position as a Knowledge Hub
Phil Baty, Chief Global Affairs Officer at THE, praised the UAE’s dedication to data-driven decision-making in higher education:
“We have been extremely impressed with the UAE’s nationwide commitment to data collection and analysis, ensuring universities align their outcomes with national policy goals. The rapid development of UAE universities in research and innovation is remarkable, and we are honored to support MoHESR’s vision for the country’s burgeoning higher education sector.”
Enhancing Institutional Competitiveness
Through this collaboration, universities will gain insights into their standing within the UAE’s education sector and receive customized recommendations for improvement. THE will also conduct training sessions, stakeholder engagements, and masterclasses to equip universities with the knowledge needed to enhance their academic and research performance.
This initiative is expected to drive significant advancements in the UAE’s higher education system, reinforcing its position as a global leader in innovation and scientific research.
