Understanding the Advisory Committee for Higher Education and Future Skills

The Advisory Committee for Higher Education and Future Skills serves as a pivotal subcommittee under the Higher Education Committee of the UAE's Education, Human Resources, and Community Development Council. Established in June 2025 by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), chaired by His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, who holds positions as Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the committee brings together prominent academic leaders from UAE universities and representatives from key economic sectors such as technology, energy, health, and industry.

Its primary objectives include developing flexible higher education plans aligned with national priorities and global labor market demands, evaluating higher education institution (HEI) performance, fostering collaborations between academia and industry, and organizing events to drive innovation. This structure ensures that UAE's higher education evolves in tandem with economic goals, emphasizing skills like artificial intelligence (AI), drones, and legal competencies essential for future jobs.

Key Highlights from the February 16, 2026 Meeting

On February 16, 2026, in Dubai, the committee convened its latest meeting, attended by leaders from institutions like Higher Colleges of Technology, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Khalifa University, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, University of Sharjah, and Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, alongside industry figures from Google Cloud, PureHealth, and Al Tamimi & Company. Discussions centered on accelerating transformative reforms, transitioning from input-focused traditional models to outcome-driven systems aligned with labor market needs.

Participants reviewed advancements in the new Higher Education Law and the Higher Education Database for data-driven decisions. Initial results from the National Practical Training Platform, Nafis, showed robust engagement from HEIs and training providers, enhancing students' practical skills. Progress across eight working groups targeting sectors like energy and health was also assessed, underscoring the committee's role in bridging academia and economy.

Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2025: The Legislative Backbone

Issued at the end of 2025, Federal Decree-Law No. 31/2025 regulates higher education and scientific research nationwide, including free zones. It mandates licensing and accreditation for all HEIs and technical/vocational providers, prohibits unlicensed operations, and enforces national frameworks for classification, quality, qualifications, and research. Institutions must offer innovative programs meeting labor market needs, with one-year transition starting January 2026 to update policies and governance.

This law integrates higher education with the UAE National Qualifications Framework, promoting lifelong learning and competitiveness. It addresses regulatory gaps, unifies standards, and uses data for transparency, reducing risks for students and investors while accelerating processes.

Seven Major Reforms Shaping UAE Higher Education

The new law introduces seven reforms: (1) clearer regulatory frameworks for planning; (2) outcome-focused quality over procedures; (3) national standards and real-time data; (4) stronger Ministry-HEI-local authority partnerships; (5) data-backed governance; (6) enhanced transparency; (7) alignment with global best practices. These shift evaluation from rankings to graduate performance and employability.

• Unified licensing prevents unlicensed programs, protecting students.
• Accreditation emphasizes labor-aligned outcomes.
• Classification publishes performance for competition.
• E-learning quality assured with data protection.

Over 400 representatives contributed via dialogues, ensuring buy-in. For UAE universities, this means revising curricula for skills like AI and renewables, boosting global appeal.

Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash

The Eight Working Groups Driving Specialized Reforms

The committee oversees eight groups formed progressively:

• Health Sciences Group
• Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education Group
• Economic Sectors and Higher Education Partnerships Group
• Future of Jobs and Skills Group
• Workforce Supply and Demand in Public and Higher Education Group
• Legal Competencies Development Group (new)
• Drone Skills Group (new)
• National Competencies Enhancement Group (new)

For example, the AI group pilots integrations, while drone skills address emerging tech needs.

National Practical Training Platform: Nafis in Action

Launched December 2025 under Nafis, this platform connects Emirati students with public/private training, building a unified database for quality opportunities. Early data shows high HEI participation, preparing graduates for jobs via hands-on experience. It supports Emiratisation goals, linking universities like UAEU to industry.

AI Integration: MoHESR-Microsoft Partnership

Building on committee efforts, MoHESR partners with Microsoft to develop prototype AI agents using Azure for learning, teaching, research, and job matching. Announced February 2026 at WGS, this elevates HE via agentic AI, stakeholder engagement, and pilots in UAE universities.

This aligns with the AI working group, positioning UAE HE as innovative.

Boosting Graduate Employability and University Rankings

UAE prioritizes employability: new law assesses unis on job outcomes, not just rankings. Enrollment hit 57,000 new students in 2024-25 (54% female), Dubai private up 20% to 42,026. Khalifa University ranks 177th QS 2026, UAEU 229th; UAE leads Arab rankings with 9 in top 25.

Reforms enhance career readiness via internships, aligning with higher ed career advice resources.

Photo by sidney zou on Unsplash

Implications for UAE Universities and Students

Universities must adapt curricula, governance during transition, fostering industry ties. Students gain better employability, mobility. Challenges include compliance, but benefits: transparency, competition, global standards. Explore higher ed jobs in UAE or UAE academic opportunities.

Future Outlook: A Competitive, Skills-Focused Ecosystem

These reforms position UAE as education hub, with AI, drones, renewables driving growth. Expect more partnerships, rankings climbs, Emirati talent surge. Institutions like Khalifa exemplify progress. For faculty, check university jobs; students, rate my professor.

In summary, the Advisory Committee's work ensures UAE higher education meets future needs, delivering actionable reforms for stakeholders.