UAE streamlines accreditation process for HEIs in Dubai

A Memorandum of Understanding between the United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has been signed in a bid to make it easier for higher education institutions to be granted a license to open campuses in Dubai.

The move comes as the UEA looks to elevate its higher education sector and boost its global competitiveness.

Prior to the agreement, it took three to six months for institutions to complete the licensing process through the Ministry of Higher Education. But now, the time has been greatly reduced to a few weeks, supporting the UAE’s goal of eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy around government processes.

These licensing decisions allow students to obtain Ministry approval for certificates, transcripts, and other documents, ensuring official recognition of their qualifications.

Mark Brown, general manager of Murdoch University Dubai, commented: “For the UAE, ensuring both local Emirati universities and now international branch campuses of global universities come under one regulator not only recognises the government’s commitment to education but further enhances the country’s reputation as a true education destination.

Following the announcement, KHDA’s director general Aisha Abdulla Miran said: “We are dedicated to working with MoHESR to reinforce the country’s position as a global hub for innovation and academic excellence and a premier destination for international students and world-class universities.”

The process of obtaining MoHESR regulation involves two stages. The first is Institutional Licensure, which confirms the university’s adherence to stringent quality standards. The second stage is program accreditation, which ensures that each academic offering meets the same high standards.

In Dubai, there are no restrictions around post-study work rights. Once graduates secure a job in the country, their ability to stay in the UAE is linked to their employment, meaning they move from a student visa to an employer’s visa.

The Dubai job market is buoyant and shows no signs of slowing down
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In the Free Zones, the KHDA would normally grant licenses to institutes; however, the recent changes allow the MoHESR to handle these licenses.

“I think that’s one of the major changes that has happened, as it brings those institutions that previously would operate as branch campuses within the free zones under the auspices of the federal authority as well as other institutions would have,” explained Jan Horns, the chief executive officer at SAE University College.

“Dubai has a fantastic reputation as one of the safest cities in the world. And what aligns the future objectives of the UAE authorities through the Dubai education strategy for 2033 is to position the emirate of Dubai as a global hub, not only for attracting top institutions but also attracting more international students.”

“There’s so much cutting-edge development that happens here and that’s very attractive,” said Horns.

Now, the UAE’s MoHESR has licensed 16 higher education institutions in the country, including international university branches operating within the emirate’s Free Zones. These licenses are additional to the universities’ pre-existing KHDA licences.

The newly MoHESR-licensed institutions include Curtin University, Murdoch University Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai, BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, India, Luiss University-Dubai, and SKEMA Business School.

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