Dubai's higher education sector sees record growth
A record 42,026 students are now enrolled across 41 institutions, with 37 of them being international campuses.
They are offering an expanding range of programmes designed for future-focused learners, aligning with Dubai's ambitious Education 33 strategy.
International students, those who came to Dubai specifically to study, saw a sharp 29 per cent increase, now making up 35 per cent of all enrolments.
Dubai is aiming to raise that figure to 50 per cent by 2033, as part of its 'City of Students Game Changer' initiative to become a global hub for higher education.
Emirati enrolment also hit a record, rising 22 per cent, showing strong local confidence in Dubai's private education offerings.
The KHDA's Director General, Aisha Miran, said the growth reflects growing trust in the quality and relevance of education in Dubai. She highlighted that universities are preparing students for the jobs of the future, supporting both Dubai Plan 33 and the city's drive toward a knowledge-based economy.
Four new international universities opened their doors this academic year, from China, India, Russia and Italy.
Dubai's private higher education institutions offer 706 programmes, with degrees in business, information technology, engineering, media and design, and humanities being the most popular among students.
Notably, information technology, engineering, and health and medicine degree programmes saw the biggest enrolment spikes.
Student enrolment at higher education institutions licensed and regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai continued its record-breaking growth, rising by 20% in the 2024–25 academic year. pic.twitter.com/BRPZRPvypY
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) May 19, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
a day ago
- Gulf Business
Dubai Metro's AC overhaul: What RTA is doing to keep summer riders cool
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), through its Rail Agency, has completed Phase 2 of a major ventilation and air conditioning (VAC) overhaul across stations on the Red and Green Lines of the Dubai Metro. Read- The project is part of RTA's Strategic Plan 2024–2030, focusing on passenger comfort, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and long-term sustainability of assets. It also aligns with RTA's broader vision to be a global leader in seamless and sustainable mobility, This milestone underscores the partnership between RTA and Keolis-MHI, the Dubai Metro and Tram operator, in maintaining service excellence—especially during the city's demanding summer season. 876 assets upgraded across 14 stations Phase 2 saw the overhaul of 876 VAC assets across 14 stations and two car parks along the Red Line. Notably, the project was completed without any disruption to train operations. This builds on the success of Phase 1, which covered 261 assets across 13 stations. The 10-month program was carefully scheduled during off-peak hours and night shifts to ensure smooth station operations and uninterrupted service for commuters. Next phase to focus on energy efficiency Preparations are already underway for Phase 3, which will target the remaining 25% of public-area fan coil units (FCUs) and air handling units (AHUs) located in back-of-house and critical rooms across Red Line stations. Testing and verification work began in mid-July 2025. The RTA is continuing its VAC Enhancement Project with a focus on energy optimisation and a potential shift toward variable flow technology—part of a broader effort to enhance sustainability and reduce energy consumption system-wide.
The National
a day ago
- The National
Emirati housing and education funds launched
Two allowance funding schemes have been launched, one for housing and the other for education, by the Ministry of Community and Empowerment. The allowances have been set up to support the nation's Social Support and Empowerment Programme, a federal initiative providing monthly support to Emirati families with limited income. The housing allowance is intended for families enrolled in the programme who do not receive any form of government housing assistance. The amount is determined based on the family's size and living conditions, distinguished between those living independently and those sharing accommodation with other households. The allowance also includes flexible terms for orphans and children of individuals serving jail terms. What about the education allowance? The education, or academic excellence, allowance is aimed at high-achieving university students. Students enrolled in accredited higher education institutions in the UAE who maintain a cumulative GPA (the grade given per term) of 3.3 or higher are eligible to receive up to Dh3,200 per month. Students enrolled in accredited UAE institutions through remote learning are also eligible. How to apply Applications can be submitted through the ministry's official digital platform via the social subsidy service. All applications are processed within 21 days of submission. Stepping up support The employment programme is the latest step by the government to provide additional assistance to its citizens. In 2022, President Sheikh Mohamed announced a Dh28 billion ($7.6 billion) social support package to provide lower-income Emirati families with subsidies to pay for essentials including fuel, food and utilities. Under the move, annual financial support for eligible families was raised from Dh2.7 billion to Dh5 billion, with the total social support budget doubling from Dh14 billion. The UAE's social welfare programme for low-income citizens is available to Emirati families whose income is less than Dh25,000 ($6,800) a month. The programme offers Dh5,000 aid a month for citizens over the age of 45, housing allowance up to Dh2,500 a month, university education allowance of Dh3,200 a month to outstanding students and Dh5,000 a month for six months to those who are unemployed. In addition, the government offers an inflation allowance, which covers food, electricity, water and fuel costs.
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
UAE PASS evolving toward a smarter, people-first future
25 July 2025 00:48 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)With over 11 million users and 1.5 million digital transactions taking place every day, UAE PASS stands as a clear success in advancing the nation's vision for a smart government — but its development is far from over. Mira Sultan, one of the Emirati women among the project's pioneers, speaks to Aletihad about the growing significance of the nation's digital identity system and how it is evolving as a future-ready platform. 'Our digital government journey is driven by a clear ambition: to deliver seamless, secure, and proactive services that meet people's needs without friction,' said Sultan, Senior Director of the Digital Enabling Platforms Department at Digital Dubai and a National Expert in NEP Cohort 4. 'The next milestones focus on accelerating full digital service delivery, deepening integration across entities, and enhancing personalisation through secure data exchange,' she said. Continuously evolving through user feedback and testing, the digital identity system is being enhanced to deliver a seamless, AI-driven experience. By expanding the use of e-signatures and paperless solutions, UAE PASS is set to fully replace outdated processes and power a smarter, more connected country.'The goal is not merely to digitise existing services, but to rethink how the government functions, removing complexity, increasing efficiency, and making services available anywhere, anytime, and on any device,' Sultan said. UAE PASS links individuals to thousands of online services with a secure, single login — eliminating the need for users to create multiple accounts or visit customer care centres. Usage and feedback are closely monitored through a combination of quantitative and qualitative channels, Sultan said. 'With over 1.5 million daily transactions and thousands of new users joining every day, the growth itself is a key indicator of satisfaction and usability.''What sets it apart and makes it truly game-changing is how it simplifies and unifies digital identity, access, and signature across both government and private sectors,' she added. With emerging AI solutions, the UAE PASS team is now looking to 'deliver more personalised experiences, enhance accessibility, and enable smarter service recommendations', Sultan said. 'Operationally, AI helps us detect patterns, predict demand, and optimise delivery. All of this is governed by robust privacy and data protection frameworks. The future of UAE PASS lies in becoming more intelligent, responsive, and deeply integrated into citizens' daily lives.'The move toward paperless governance is anchored in national infrastructure, which includes the digital ID, online payment platforms, cloud services, and secure data sharing channels, Sultan said. 'Together, they enable a frictionless government that operates 24/7, anytime, anywhere. The ultimate goal is not just digitalisation, it is elevating the quality of life for every resident.' A Shared Vision Back when the UAE PASS was just a concept, days were filled with 'bold ideas and big questions', Sultan said. They asked: Is it really possible to create such a system? 'Could we unify digital identity across a diverse ecosystem? Could we convince entities to move away from their current identity systems entirely?' she recalled. Sultan admitted that the journey was challenging — but also 'incredibly rewarding', as the team was driven by a deep sense of responsibility to shape a platform that reflects the nation's values and empowers its people.'The trust placed in me, along with the shared vision we embraced as a team inspired me to push boundaries,' she said. Her personal motivation was rooted in impact.'I have always believed that true transformation happens when technology improves everyday lives. The opportunity to contribute to a national platform that embodies this mission, by saving time, enabling secure interactions, and simplifying life, was deeply motivating,' Sultan her, it wasn't just about launching a new tool but 'reshaping how people connect with government in the digital era'.Sultan's leadership journey has been moulded by the National Experts Programme (NEP), of which she is a graduate.'NEP has played a transformative role in sharpening my strategic lens. The focus on five leadership mindsets — global, analytical, reflective, collaborative, and execution-driven — empowered me to approach digital transformation with a broader perspective,' she said. Looking ahead, Sultan sees the UAE PASS evolving beyond its role as a gateway to services. 'It should remain human-centred, inclusive, and resilient in the face of change. My hope is that UAE PASS continues to inspire other nations while always keeping people at its core.' Early this year, the UAE PASS application has won the Gold Award in the International General Authority category for the 16th Edition of the Public Sector Transformation Awards, an annual global event that celebrates innovation culture and showcases best practices in the government sector.
