United Arab Emirates University
جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة | |
 | |
| Type | Public research university |
|---|---|
| Established | 7 July 1976 |
| Chancellor | Zaki Nusseibeh |
| Vice-Chancellor | Ahmed Ali Alraeesi |
| Provost | Mohsen Sherif |
| Undergraduates | 18000 |
| Postgraduates | 1800 |
| Location | , 24°12′1″N 55°40′34″E / 24.20028°N 55.67611°E |
| Campus |
|
| Website | uaeu |
United Arab Emirates University (UAEU; Arabic: جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة) is the first and foremost comprehensive national university in the United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1976 by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first President of the United Arab Emirates, UAEU is a public research university located in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.[2]
The university is headed by Chancellor Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh and Vice Chancellor Dr. Ahmed Ali Alraeesi.[3]
UAEU comprises nine academic colleges: the College of Business and Economics, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, College of Law, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, and College of Science.[4] The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs and operates research centers and institutes in fields including health sciences, space science and technology, water and energy, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and biotechnology, mobility, public policy, entrepreneurship and environmental research.[5]
In the 2027 QS World University Rankings, UAEU was ranked 217th worldwide.[6]
History
The United Arab Emirates University was established through the Federal Law No. (4) issued by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates in 1976.[7]
Location
The university is located in the city of Al Ain, an oasis city in the Abu Dhabi emirate 140 km east of the capital city of Abu Dhabi and a similar distance from the city of Dubai.[8]
Students
Students come from all seven Emirates and more than 81 other countries. 6,696 students live on campus. In 2024 enrolled international students constituted 19% of the total enrolled students.[9]
Rankings
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World[10] | 601–700 (2026) |
| QS World[11] | 217 (2027) |
| THE World[12] | 201–250 (2026) |
| USNWR Global[13] | 285 (2027) |
The United Arab Emirates University is continuously ranked among the top universities in the United Arab Emirates and 5th in the Arab region,[14] the 217th in the world in the 2027 QS World University Rankings.[15] In the 2021 QS Top 50 Under 50, i.e. the top 50 world universities that were founded within the past 50 years, UAEU was ranked number 27.[16]
In its capacity as a business school, UAEU was placed as the third best business school in Africa and the Middle East in the 2010 QS Global 200 Business Schools Report.[17] As a research university the UAEU is ranked as number one in the GCC countries, number two in the Arab World, and ninth in the Muslim world. As of 2026, the university is ranked 201–250 globally according to Times Higher Education.[18]
Leadership and governance
United Arab Emirates University is headed by the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor. Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh serves as Chancellor, while Ahmed Ali Alraeesi serves as Vice Chancellor. Prof. Mohsen Sherif serves as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (Provost).[19]
The university's administration includes offices responsible for academic affairs, research, student affairs, and finance and administration. The Office of the Associate Provost for Research coordinates research administration, including research funding, intellectual property and institutional partnerships, while the Student Affairs sector oversees student services and development programs. The Finance and Administration Division is responsible for areas including financial affairs, human resources, facilities management, procurement, and health and safety.[19]
Structure
The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for the management of the university as well as policy and strategic planning, budget and financial activities, external relations, and alumni. The Provost is the Chief Academic Officer responsible for the Colleges, undergraduate studies, research and graduate studies, and information technology. He is assisted by the Deputy Provost. The Secretary General is responsible for services including finance, budget, facilities management, human resources, auxiliary services, and safety. The Deans are the heads of the academic colleges, which are groupings of academic disciplines, through which the academic staff teach at undergraduate and post graduate levels, and conduct research and scholarship.
The UAEU has undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in nine colleges:
- College of Business and Economics
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence
- College of Law
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences
- College of Science
Graduate degrees are granted by the College of Graduate Studies. There are more than 86 programs offered, including master's and doctoral degrees in several subjects.[20] The University Foundations Program prepares students for academic degree programs with pre-university courses in English, Arabic and Mathematics and other support in making the transition from school to university.
In addition to undergraduate and graduate programs, the UAEU conducts continuous education courses and vocational certificates for the community across all disciplines and hosts the Emirates Health Services, which provides medical skills training.
Faculty
- Ibrahim Galadari, professor and dermatologist
Symposiums
Biological Sciences
In November 2016, the University held its first ever symposium on Biological Sciences "GENOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS" attended by experts from different parts of the world.[21]
Research
In May 2009, United Arab Emirates University announced the launch of the first PhD programs at a national university in the United Arab Emirates, and began admitting students to its doctoral programs in September 2009.[22] The university offers doctoral and professional doctorate programs across several academic disciplines, including programs in public health, biomedical sciences, engineering, computing, education and business.[23]
UAEU operates research centers and institutes in areas including health sciences, space science and technology, water and energy, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering and biotechnology, mobility, public policy, entrepreneurship, human capital and environmental research.[24] Its research centers and institutes include:
- Emirates Center for Happiness Research
- National Space Science and Technology Center
- Zayed Bin Sultan Center for Health Sciences
- National Water and Energy Center
- Human Capital Research Center
- Emirates Center for Mobility Research
- Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
- Center for Public Policy and Leadership
- Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation
- Emirates Center for Entrepreneurship Research
- Desert Environment Research Center
- Mouza Bint Suhail Center for Exceptional Children[24]
Internationalization
UAEU has enacted partnerships with other higher education institutions across the world. In May 2026, a delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahmed Ali Al Raeesi visited the Education University of Hong Kong and explored possibilities of student mobility, joint research and other potential collaboration between the institutions.[25]
Notable faculty
- Tariq Najm, Iraqi politician
Notable alumni
- Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of presidential affairs of the United Arab Emirates
- Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of interior and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates
- Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of foreign affairs of the United Arab Emirates
- Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates
- Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former minister of foreign affairs of the United Arab Emirates and former deputy prime minister
- Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, was regarded as the 27th most powerful person in the world by Forbes in 2009 before his death[26]
- Shaykha al-Nakhi, pioneering female short story writer
- Maryam Al Roumi, minister of social affairs of the United Arab Emirates and the second woman to hold a cabinet post in the history of United Arab Emirates, listed among top 10 most powerful Arab women in government by Forbes[27]
- Saqr Ghobash, minister of labour of the United Arab Emirates and former ambassador to the United States of America and Mexico
- Abdul Rahman Al Oweis, minister of health in the United Arab Emirates
- Fatima Al Jaber, first woman to be elected to the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce board of directors in December 2009.[28] As of 2014, she is listed as the 94th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes[29]
- Amal Al Qubaisi, first woman to be elected to the UAE’s Federal National Council,[30] first woman appointed to Abu Dhabi Executive Council[27]
- Najla Al Qassimi, UAE's first female ambassador, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Portugal, former ambassador to Sweden
- Essa Al Basha Al Noaimi, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- Salma Hareb, Chief Executive Officer at Jafza (Dubai free zone), the first female in the Middle East and North Africa to be appointed head of an economic free zone,[31] ranked as the 2nd most powerful Arab woman in government by Forbes[27]
- Mariam Al Mansouri, first woman to fly combat fighters in UAE
- Noura Al Kaabi, minister of culture and knowledge development
- Abdul Qader Al Rais, Emirati artist
- Khadem Al Qubaisi, Emirati businessman and the former managing director of the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).
- Aisha al-Ghais, poet and storyteller
See also
References
- ↑ "UAE University". Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
- ↑ "United Arab Emirates University – Overview". United Arab Emirates University. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "University Leadership". United Arab Emirates University. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "Colleges". United Arab Emirates University. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "Research Centers and Institutes". United Arab Emirates University. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "United Arab Emirates University". QS Top Universities. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "Executive By-Laws of Federal Law No. (4) for 1976 concerning the establishment and organization of UAE University" (PDF). United Arab Emirates University. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "Campus". Uniandi. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
- ↑ "Annual Report for the Academic Year 2023/2024" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "United Arab Emirates University". ShanghaiRanking. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "United Arab Emirates University". QS Top Universities. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "United Arab Emirates University". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ U.S. News. "United Arab Emirates University". Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ "QS Arab Region World University Rankings". Top Universities. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ↑ "United Arab Emirates University". Top Universities. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "QS Top 50 Under 50 2021". Top Universities. 19 June 2020. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
- ↑ "Top Business Schools in Africa & the Middle East". TopMBA. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ↑ "UAEU Ranks First Nationally and within the 201–250 category Globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026". www.uaeu.ac.ae. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- 1 2 "University Leadership". United Arab Emirates University. Retrieved 24 August 2026.
- ↑ University (UAEU), United Arab Emirates. "United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)". www.uaeu.ac.ae. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "UAEU holds first symposium on genomics, bioinformatics". wam. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
- ↑ "Statistical Year Book 2012–2013" (PDF). United Arab Emirates University. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "Graduate Program Catalog 2022–2023" (PDF). United Arab Emirates University. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- 1 2 "Research Centers and Institutes". United Arab Emirates University. Retrieved 20 August 2026.
- ↑ "EdUHK and UAEU Deepen Collaboration Hold Joint International Symposium". The Education University of Hong Kong. 5 May 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "The World's Most Powerful People - Forbes.com". www.forbes.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- 1 2 3 "The most influential Arab women in government". Yahoo Maktoob News. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ↑ "100 most powerful Arab women 2012". Arabian Business. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ↑ "The Most Powerful Women In Business". www.forbes.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ↑ "First woman appointed to Abu Dhabi Executive Council | The National". www.thenational.ae. 15 March 2014. Archived from the original on 21 March 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
- ↑ "100 Most Powerful Arab Women 2011". Arabian Business. Retrieved 20 October 2015.