UAE introduces digital tools to enhance Emirati students' education abroad

During a digital media briefing jointly organized by the Education Council and the Ministry of Higher Education, it was affirmed that the recently issued decision regulating the study of Emirati students abroad aims to ensure that their investment in overseas higher education is effectively channelled towards beneficial academic outcomes, while also serving the interests of the nation.

The briefing was held virtually via Microsoft Teams, and was attended by a number of officials from the Ministry and representatives of the Education and Human Resources Council.

During the session, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced the availability of a suite of digital tools designed to support Emirati students studying abroad. These tools aim to facilitate informed decision-making regarding university and programme choices, in alignment with the new standards adopted by the Education Council for students studying outside the UAE.

The Education and Human Resources Council also highlighted the commencement of work by a specialised committee formed to evaluate exemption requests. This committee will consider a range of factors, including the chosen discipline, language of instruction, university ranking, and the unique circumstances of each case.

It was further noted that the policy considers the geographical distribution of Emirati students in various countries. For example, in nations such as the United States and Australia—where significant numbers of Emirati students are enrolled—study has been restricted to the top 100 universities based on both subject-specific and overall rankings. In countries with fewer Emirati students, the policy permits study at institutions ranked within the top 200. For non-English-speaking countries, there is even greater flexibility, allowing study at universities ranked in the top 300, thereby promoting cultural diversity and academic openness.

 The virtual session, led by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, included the participation of Dr Mohammed Al Mualla, Undersecretary of the Ministry, Azza Al Shehhiari, Director of the Higher Education Qualifications Recognition Department, and Khalid Al Rumaithi, Advisor to the Education and Human Resources Council.

During the session, Al Shehhiari encouraged students and their parents to utilize the available digital resources before making any decisions about overseas university study. This is essential to ensure the selection of recognized institutions and to avoid future issues related to academic accreditation.

The resources include a platform for submitting exemption requests and an electronic service for checking the availability of overseas programmes—both accessible through the Ministry’s website. This service provides an up-to-date list of approved universities and specializations, based on global rankings, and covers a wide range of academic fields.

In this context, Khalid Al Rumaithi delivered a message to students, emphasizing that the new standards are designed to help them make well-informed educational decisions rooted in quality and future opportunities. He explained that the exemption review committee, chaired by the Secretariat General of the Education and Human Resources Council, includes representatives from various federal bodies and institutions.

He stated, “This initiative is part of the Council’s broader efforts to enhance alignment between educational and developmental policies in the UAE, and is a reaffirmation of our commitment to continuously improve the higher education system in a manner that serves both societal interests and future generations.”

Dr Mohammed Al Mualla stressed during the briefing that one of the key reasons for introducing the new standards for Emirati students studying abroad is the observed trend of some students opting to enrol in lower-ranked foreign institutions at their own expense—even when such institutions are academically inferior to those available within the UAE.

He stated, “This trend is unjustifiable, particularly given the time, effort, and financial resources these students invest—resources that could be better utilized within high-quality educational environments available locally.”

Dr Al Mualla also pointed out that the decision seeks to address student over-concentration in a limited number of countries and universities, which can limit exposure to diverse cultural and educational experiences. The Ministry hopes to encourage students to diversify their academic journeys by exploring a broader range of global destinations.

He clarified that students studying abroad fall into two categories:

Dr Al Mualla added that, to ease procedures, scholarship authorities will be allowed to submit group exemption requests on behalf of student cohorts. This will help expedite the review process and reduce the administrative burden, particularly for specializations that necessitate study at specific institutions.

He stressed the importance of new students in particular using the Ministry’s online verification service to obtain official confirmation of the recognition status of both their university and specialisation at the time of commencing their studies.

The Ministry of Education has called on all Year 12 students, in both the general and advanced tracks, to expedite completion of their registration in the National Admission and Placement Office (NAPO) system, which governs admission to higher education institutions and defines students’ post-secondary academic pathways.

In a circular issued to students and parents through school administrations, the Ministry emphasized that registration in the NAPO system is a critical step in shaping students’ academic futures and directly affects their chances of admission to universities and colleges—both within the UAE and abroad.

The Ministry warned that delays in registration could lead to difficulties in arranging academic options or even result in missed opportunities. It stressed that adherence to the registration deadline reflects students’ readiness and commitment to their next academic stage.

The Ministry’s circular underscored the importance of registering in the system, as it helps streamline students’ transition from school to higher education. School administrations have urged all students to complete registration without delay to safeguard their academic and professional pathways. They confirmed that academic advisors in each school are available through various communication channels to provide guidance and respond to any queries.