The UAE now has a wealth of institutions offering higher education. Some of them are government owned which focus exclusively on UAE nationals, while others from the private sector look for students both nationals and expatriates. All these need to work to the highest standards, for which the main guarantee is for the college to be accredited by the UAE's independent commission.
As the UAE moves closer to becoming a regional centre of quality education, the process of ensuring formal quality will become all the more important. Academic rigour is at the heart of the process, but so are social values and understanding, as higher education prepares the student to enter the work force.
It is important for students to know the status of the institution they attend. Most will be accredited by the UAE government, and if they are an international institution, they will also have their accreditation from the parent organisation and its legal environment.
Some will not be recognised by the UAE government, and it is important to ask if the institution has applied for accreditation and if the process is under way. No student wants to find out after graduating that his/her degree is not recognised by the UAE authorities.
Page last updated 01 January 2020