MoHESR Collaborates With Quacquarelli Symonds To Enhance UAE Higher Education's Global Competitiveness

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has partnered with Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global leader in higher education analytics, to evaluate the UAE's higher education sector. This collaboration aims to transform UAE universities into global leaders through data-driven insights and strategic partnerships. The initiative will assess the performance of UAE-based institutions, benchmark them against top global universities, and identify areas for growth.

Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary of MoHESR, emphasised the importance of this collaboration. "The UAE recognises the vital role of an innovative and future-ready higher education sector in equipping the next generations with the skills and knowledge needed to shape a bright future for the nation. The collaboration with QS reflects the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing the performance of UAE universities and boosting their competitiveness on the world stage. This project gives our universities a valuable opportunity to work with a leading global rankings agency at a subsidised cost."

The project will unfold over six months in four phases. Initially, university representatives will attend workshops to understand QS's ranking methodology during the Capacity Building phase. Next, in Data Submission and Validation, QS will collect and verify data from these institutions. The third phase involves benchmarking and gap analysis using this data.

In its final phase, QS will provide tailored performance reports for each university alongside a national report summarising sector-wide insights. These reports aim to support evidence-based decision-making at the federal level. A ministerial workshop will also be held to develop a strategic roadmap aligned with the UAE’s National Strategy for Higher Education 2030.

Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA) at QS, expressed enthusiasm about this partnership: "We are honoured to partner with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on this landmark initiative. The UAE has shown remarkable ambition in advancing its higher education system, and this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to excellence and transparency. By providing robust data insights and benchmarking support, our goal is to help UAE-based universities make informed strategic decisions that enhance their global connectivity and impact, and further strengthen their contribution to the nation’s knowledge-based economy."

The initiative builds on existing momentum as 12 UAE universities are already featured in QS rankings, with more institutions climbing each year. QS's extensive experience – collaborating with 18 governments globally – makes it an ideal partner for advancing UAE's educational aspirations.

This partnership underscores MoHESR's dedication to fostering a sustainable knowledge-based economy by leveraging QS's expertise in data analytics and consultancy. By identifying key areas for improvement, this initiative aims to enhance the global standing of UAE universities while contributing significantly to national development goals.

With inputs from WAM