UAE Emerges as the Arab World’s Most Improved Higher Education System
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been recognised as the Arab world’s most improved higher education system, according to the QS World University Rankings: Arab Region 2026, marking another milestone in the nation’s journey toward academic excellence and global competitiveness.
A total of 15 UAE universities secured positions in this year’s regional rankings, underscoring the country’s strong commitment to advancing research, innovation, and international education standards. Among these, nine institutions demonstrated improved performance compared to the previous year, reflecting steady progress across key indicators such as academic reputation, employer reputation, web impact, and international student diversity.
Leading the UAE’s representation, Khalifa University ranked 3rd in the Arab region, maintaining its position as a leading institution in science and technology education. The United Arab Emirates University followed closely at 5th, while the American University of Sharjah achieved a spot in the top 10, ranking 9th overall.
This improvement highlights the UAE’s continued investment in higher education infrastructure, faculty development, and research partnerships. Over the past decade, the country has introduced several initiatives aimed at fostering innovation, enhancing global collaboration, and attracting top academic talent.
Experts believe this positive momentum is transforming the UAE into a regional education hub. Projections indicate that international enrolment in UAE universities could reach 120,000 students by 2030, driven by the nation’s expanding academic reputation, high-quality facilities, and student-friendly environment.
The UAE’s progress also reflects broader national goals aligned with UAE Vision 2031, which emphasizes human capital development, knowledge economy growth, and leadership in global education standards.
With its universities now competing on a regional and international level, the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a destination of choice for students seeking world-class education in the heart of the Arab world.
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