UAE: MoHESR Collaborates With Quacquarelli Symonds To Boost Competitiveness Of Higher Education Institutions
In a move to elevate the UAE's universities to a premier global standing, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has embarked on a pivotal alliance with Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), global higher education analytics and rankings firm.
This collaboration aims to scrutinise the UAE’s higher education institutions (HEIs) through a detailed evaluation, positioning them alongside the world's elite universities and pinpointing strategies for improvement and development.
QS’s role in this partnership involves a thorough assessment of the UAE’s HEIs, comparing them with international counterparts to highlight strengths and areas needing enhancement. This evaluation is critical for shaping policies that bolster the higher education sector's role in nurturing a thriving, knowledge-driven economy.
Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, the Undersecretary of MoHESR, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "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, leveraging QS’s unparalleled expertise in data analytics, rankings methodology, and educational consultancy, is structured into four phases over six months. Initially, it will focus on Capacity Building, where university representatives will be trained on QS’s ranking processes and data collection methods.
Following this, the Data Submission and Validation phase will see QS collecting and verifying data from universities. Using this data, QS will then conduct global benchmarking, gap analysis, and simulation modelling to identify gaps and opportunities.
In the project's concluding stage, QS will provide customised performance reports to each university, outlining recommendations for best practices and strategies for improvement. Additionally, a national report will be compiled, offering insights for the federal government's decision-making process. This will culminate in a ministerial workshop aimed at creating a strategic plan aligned with the UAE’s National Strategy for Higher Education 2030.
Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA) at QS, added, "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."
This strategic partnership is timely, as the UAE already has 12 universities featured in the QS ranking, with more institutions making significant strides each year. QS’s global influence, having worked with 18 governments and evaluated thousands of universities, positions it as a formidable ally for the UAE’s ambitions in the higher education sphere.
The initiative underscores the UAE’s commitment to crafting a future-proof higher education sector that not only meets international standards but also plays a pivotal role in the nation’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.
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