MoHESR Forms Advisory Committee To Enhance Higher Education And Future Skills In The UAE

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) in the UAE has established a new Advisory Committee for Higher Education and Future Skills. This committee is led by Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, who also serves as the Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The committee aims to enhance collaboration within the higher education sector.

During its inaugural meeting at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the committee reviewed the current state of higher education in the UAE. Discussions focused on linking higher education with secondary education and the labour market. Strategies to improve global competitiveness through partnerships with international institutions were also explored.

The committee's diverse membership includes academic leaders from UAE’s higher education institutions (HEIs) and representatives from key sectors like technology, industry, energy, health, tourism, and investment. This composition ensures that the higher education system aligns with national development priorities effectively.

Dr. Al Awar stated, "At MoHESR, we believe that developing a successful and sustainable higher education system requires strong collaboration with national companies, the private sector, and research institutes." He emphasised that this approach will help prepare graduates for a competitive, knowledge-based economy.

The committee is tasked with proposing development plans for higher education that align with general education strategies. It will assess HEIs' performance against international competitiveness indicators while ensuring alignment with national needs. The goal is to ensure graduates have qualifications that meet labour market demands.

A pilot initiative was launched to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into higher education. Specialised working groups were formed to oversee the implementation of initiatives and recommendations made by the committee. These efforts aim to make the educational system more agile and responsive.

Strengthening Institutional Collaboration

Further responsibilities include enhancing coordination between HEIs, research councils, and key economic sectors in the UAE. The committee will organise conferences and scientific events while forming technical teams for joint projects across various sectors. These activities aim to boost global competitiveness.

Dr. Al Awar added, "We continue to work closely with our partners in the public and private sectors to redesign the higher education system." This redesign aims to make it more flexible and aligned with economic needs while equipping students with advanced skills.

The formation of this committee reflects MoHESR's commitment to advancing higher education in line with UAE’s strategic objectives. By fostering collaboration among educational institutions and economic sectors, it seeks to build a knowledge economy and develop national human capital effectively.

With inputs from WAM