UAE Unveils Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework

At the National Higher Education Institutions Classification Framework media round table held on Thursday, a new classification criteria for top universities in the UAE was revealed.

This framework assesses and categorises institutions based on national performance metrics across four primary dimensions: teaching quality and student life, employment and job market alignment, scientific research and innovation, and international collaboration.

The UAE is placing significant emphasis on scientific research, innovation, and teaching quality, each constituting 35% of the framework's assessment criteria. Employment and job market alignment account for 20%, while international collaboration is weighted at 10%.

Dr. Sameera Almulla, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Curriculum Sector and Director of Certificate Equivalency Department at the Ministry of Education, clarified,

“Today we are doing the classification and not the ranking of the universities. The classification at this stage is meant only for ‘research’ universities and a few weeks from now, this classification will be announced for ‘non-research’ universities."

The framework segments institutions into two major categories: research institutions and non-research institutions of higher education. Within each category, institutions are further classified into one of four levels.

The objective of this framework is to elevate the standards of educational institutions, encourage the implementation of best academic practices, and create an educational environment that enhances both the quality of education and the overall student experience. Earlier, the Cabinet had approved a national framework to classify higher education institutions within the UAE, encompassing both public and private institutions.

News Source: Khaleej Times