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The UAE is investing significantly in improving the attractiveness and competitiveness of its universities. This is reflected in the strong emphasis put on Education and Research excellence in the national level strategies and plans, and all the supporting initiatives for improvements in regulations, funding models, infrastructure, partnerships, and others.
Dubai, to date, has over 60 higher education institutions in total, of which 25 are international branch campuses. These campuses include branches of UK, Australian, Indian, US, and other universities. In addition to international campuses, international partnerships are also leveraged by local universities, in the areas of faculty and student exchange programmes and joint research.
Classification for convenience
In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) recently introduced a new national classification system for international universities. The "Higher Education Classification" was developed by KHDA and QS, built on the international QS approach and adapted to the needs of Dubai.
This system classifies today 17 (out of 25) international branch campuses in Dubai on a five-star ranking. This provides additional transparency to students, parents, and employers. It also introduces healthy competition between universities themselves.
- Maya El Hachem is a partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Dubai.