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The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) was established in 1976 to oversee and regulate higher education and research across the UAE. Its primary mandate is to ensure that local universities meet international standards, promote scientific research, and support the development of a knowledge-based economy.
It coordinates nationwide education policies, manages government scholarships, and supervises critical bodies such as CAA and NAPO, ensuring quality assurance, managing student admissions, verifying foreign qualifications, and overseeing scholarship programs.
MOHESR sets strict accreditation and licensing regulations for universities and colleges. Institutions must demonstrate financial stability, qualified faculty with postgraduate degrees, approved curricula, and robust student support systems. The ministry also monitors annual performance, including graduation rates, research output, and graduate employment statistics. These standards ensure that over 120 higher education institutions in the UAE operate consistently at global benchmarks.
To support students and researchers, MOHESR provides services including degree recognition, certificate equivalency for foreign qualifications, visa assistance, career guidance, and funding for research projects. It also organizes workshops, conferences, and international collaborations to foster innovation and global exposure.
MOHESR has modernized processes with outcome-based evaluation frameworks and partnerships with Times Higher Education and Quacquarelli Symonds. Licensing for new universities now takes one week, compared with months previously. Scholarships target high-demand fields like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and renewable energy, preparing UAE graduates for the evolving global job market.
What is MOHESR?
MOHESR stands for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the federal authority responsible for overseeing and regulating higher education and research in the UAE. It manages university licensing, accreditation, government scholarships, and recognition of foreign degrees. MOHESR ensures academic standards, promotes research, and aligns education with global benchmarks.
When was MOHESR established in the UAE?
MOHESR was established in the UAE in 1976 to promote education, research, and improve national education standards. At that time, the country focused on building infrastructure and developing human capital. The ministry created structured academic policies and a centralized authority to oversee universities, colleges, and research institutions across all Emirates.
Where is the headquarters of MOHESR?
The headquarters of MOHESR is located in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE. From there, the ministry coordinates nationwide education policies, works with international education bodies, and manages key departments like the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA). Its central location allows close collaboration with other government agencies and decision-makers.
Who regulates MOHESR in the UAE?
MOHESR is regulated through its internal body, the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), which handles licensing of new universities and accredits degree programs. The CAA ensures institutions comply with international quality standards, evaluating academic performance, faculty qualifications, research output, and student outcomes to maintain high education standards across the UAE.
What was the purpose of establishing MOHESR?
The purpose of establishing MOHESR was to build a world-class education system in the UAE. It ensures local institutions meet international standards, promotes scientific research, and creates opportunities for Emirati students locally and abroad. The ministry also focuses on innovation, academic-industry partnerships, and preparing a skilled workforce for a knowledge-based economy.
How many departments are there in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE?
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) has established several departments, each with a specific role to enhance higher education and research across the UAE. These departments oversee quality assurance, student admissions, proficiency assessments, certificate recognition, and scholarship management. Below is a closer look at the main departments and their responsibilities.
Commission for Academic Accreditation
The Department of Commission for Academic Accreditation serves as the quality assurance arm of MOHESR and manages the licensing of institutions and accreditation of academic programmes. It measures universities, colleges, degree validity, and program standards to set against international benchmarks.
National Admissions and Placement Office
The National Admission and Placement Office handled the admissions for federal universities that include UAEU, HCT, and Zayed University. It will process students’ applications, and place them in appropriate programmes and managed scholarship placements.
Common Educational Proficiency Assessment
The common educational proficiency assessment (CEPA) assessed students’ English and math skills for higher education readiness with the cooperation of MOHESR and under the NAPO. They will serve as a national exam to determine placement and to make sure students are academically prepared.
Certificate Attestation and Equivalency Service
MOHESR also introduced the institution to handle their degrees, named as Certificate Attestation and Equivalency service department to handle degrees and qualifications that you obtained outside the UAE. This department issued the foreign certificates and equated them with the UAE’s national qualifications framework.
Government Scholarships
This department will manage your scholarship programmes for students to study in the UAE. It managed the funding process, placement abroad, and ensured that the returning process of students’ qualifications was recognized domestically.
What are the Rules and Regulations of MOHESR in the UAE?
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE worked with a clear set of rules and regulations to make sure that universities and colleges maintain internal standards. Here are the guidelines that will cover every rule, from how the university gets a license to how students are admitted and how performance is reviewed every year.
- Accreditation Standards for Higher Education Institutions
Universities must meet MOHESR’s strict rules before offering any degree to students. This rule is to prove that the campus, teaching methods, student support services, and research facilities are all up to international benchmarks.
- Licensing Regulations for Universities and Colleges
Universities and colleges need a license to operate legally in the UAE. They all needed an official license from MOHESR. This licensure process will check the institution’s governance, financial stability, faculty qualifications, and long-term academic plans.
- Faculty Qualification and Hiring Criteria
MOHESR sets clear rules and regulations for universities for faculty education and hiring criteria. Faculty members must hold postgraduate degrees that have proven teaching or research experience and meet the specific language proficiency standards.
- Curriculum and Program Approval Regulations
All curricula and programs had to be reviewed and approved by MOHESR. No university launched a new degree on its own. This process makes sure that courses are set with market need, international standards, and the UAE’s long-term development goals.
- Student Admission and Transfer Guidelines
MOHESR provides you with clear guidelines on student admissions that include minimum academic requirements, entrance exams, and English proficiency standards. After that, they allow transfer students from other institutions, local or international.
- Annual Performance Review and Reporting Requirements
Every college and university had to submit a detailed performance report to MOHESR. This report includes student graduation rates, faculty research output, employment rates of graduates, and financial sustainability. This review will allow OHESR to keep a close check on performance and make improvements where necessary.
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Services provided by MOHESR in the UAE
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the UAE offers a wide range of services to support students, universities, and the overall growth of the education sector. These services were specifically designed to maintain high academic quality, assist learners at every stage of their journey, and promote innovation in the country.
Speedy Licensing and Accreditation
In the past, licensing a new university or degree program could take months, but now it will be done in just one week. That is all done just because of MOHESR’s updated process. That means universities can start offering courses much faster while still meeting strict quality checks.
Outcome-Based Evaluation Workshops
MOHESR is now focused on real results, instead of online checking documents. They will guide universities to measure success based on graduate employment rates, teaching quality, research impact, and community contributions.
Partnerships for Global Benchmarks
MOHESR’s work with Times Higher Education and Quacquarelli Symonds to generated good results. These are the two biggest names in the global education rankings. This partnership will help UAE universities to compare themselves with the best in the world and find ways to improve.
Industry-Focused Scholarship Programs
This MOHESR’s ministry also offers scholarships in high-demand fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and cybersecurity. This will make sure that students graduate with skills that match today’s job market.
Innovation Pioneers Award
MOHESR launched the Innovation Pioneers Award to inspire creativity in the UAE. It will reward students and researchers who come up with fresh, impactful ideas. Also, they will help them with funding and mentorship to turn those ideas into reality.
FAQs
MOHESR plays a very important role in overseeing higher education standards, approves universities, accredits programs, and supports research and innovation across the UAE.
With the new process, licensing can be completed in just one week, rather than waiting for months.
They offer scholarships to students in fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and other high-demand areas.
It is a national award that will give it to the students and researchers for impactful ideas, offering recognition, funding, and mentorship.
It partners with Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) to improve UAE universities’ global rankings and performance.
