United Arab Emirates University

{{short description|Public research university in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates}} {{Multiple issues| {{update|date=December 2016}} {{more citations needed|date=January 2012}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox university | name = United Arab Emirates University | native_name = جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة | native_name_lang = ar | image_name = File:United_Arab_Emirates_University_logo.png | image_size = File:United_Arab_Emirates_University_logo.png | established = {{start date and age|7 July 1976}} | type = Public research university | chancellor = Zaki Nusseibeh | vice_chancellor = Ahmed Ali Alraeesi | provost = Mohsen Sherif | undergrad = 18000 | postgrad = 1800 | city = Al Ain | country = United Arab Emirates | coordinates = {{Coord|24|12|1|N|55|40|34|E|region:AE_type:edu|display=inline}} | campus = Midsize city | campus_size = {{cvt|296|acre}}.<ref>{{Cite web | title=UAE University | url=https://www.mubadala.com/en/what-we-do/uae-university | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520040738/https://www.mubadala.com/en/what-we-do/uae-university | access-date=2025-08-18 | archive-date=2022-05-20}}</ref> | logo = UAEU wordmark logo.png | website = {{URL|uaeu.ac.ae}} }}

'''United Arab Emirates University (UAEU)''' ({{langx|ar|جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة}}) is a public research university located in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Founded in 1976 by the country's first President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan,<ref>{{Cite web |title=United Arab Emirates University |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/united-arab-emirates-university |access-date=2022-09-01 |website=Top Universities |language=en}}</ref> it is the oldest university in the United Arab Emirates and offers courses in various subjects up to graduate school.

== History == The United Arab Emirates University was established through the Federal Law No. (4) issued by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates in 1976.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Executive By-Laws of Federal Law No. (4) for 1976 concerning the establishment and organization of UAE University |url=https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/en/about/pdfs/policies/by-laws.pdf |journal=}}</ref>

==Location== The university is located in the city of Al Ain, an oasis city in the Abu Dhabi emirate 140 km east of the capital city of Abu Dhabi and a similar distance from the city of Dubai.<ref name=Campus>{{cite web|title=Campus|url=http://www.uniandi.com/?p=university_home&univid=83&lang=en|publisher=Uniandi|access-date=28 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020172011/http://www.uniandi.com/?p=university_home&univid=83&lang=en|archive-date=20 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Students == Students come from all seven Emirates and more than 81 other countries. 6,696 students live on campus. In 2024 enrolled international students constituted 19% of the total enrolled students.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Annual Report for the Academic Year 2023/2024|url=https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/en/vc/uod/publications/pdfs/annual-report-uaeu-2023-2024.pdf|access-date=31 July 2025|archive-date=21 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321222820/https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/en/flipbooks/annual_report/pdf/annual_report_en.pdf}}</ref>

==Rankings== {{Infobox university rankings | ARWU_W = 701–800 |ARWU_W_year = 2025| ARWU_W_ref =<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2023|title=Academic Ranking of World Universities 2025|website=shanghairanking.com|access-date=24 August 2025}}</ref> | QS_W = 229 | QS_W_year = 2026| QS_W_ref = <ref name=":QSW2026">{{Cite web|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings|title=QS World University Rankings}}</ref> | THE_W = 251-300 |THE_W_year = 2025| THE_W_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/alexandria-university|title=United Arab Emirates University|date=28 September 2023|website=Times Higher Education (THE)|access-date=28 September 2023}}</ref> | USNWR_W = =333 | USNWR_W_year = 2025 | USNWR_W_ref =<ref name="USNWR">{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/alexandria-university-509708|title=United Arab Emirates University|author=U.S. News|access-date=27 August 2025}}</ref> }}

The United Arab Emirates University is continuously ranked among the top universities in the United Arab Emirates and 5th in the Arab region,<ref>{{Cite web|title=QS Arab Region World University Rankings|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/arab-region-university-rankings/2021|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Top Universities|language=en|archive-date=21 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321222821/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/arab-region-university-rankings/2021|url-status=live}}</ref> the 229th in the world in the 2025 QS World University Rankings.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-20|title=Minister of State Zaki Nusseibeh appointed chancellor of UAE University|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/education/minister-of-state-zaki-nusseibeh-appointed-chancellor-of-uae-university-1.1096746|access-date=2021-03-21|website=The National|language=en|archive-date=21 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321222820/https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/education/minister-of-state-zaki-nusseibeh-appointed-chancellor-of-uae-university-1.1096746|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 2021 QS Top 50 Under 50, i.e. the top 50 world universities that were founded within the past 50 years, UAEU was ranked number 27.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-06-19|title=QS Top 50 Under 50 2021|url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/top-50-under-50-next-50-under-50/qs-top-50-under-50-2021|access-date=2021-03-21|website=Top Universities|language=en|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731101616/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/top-50-under-50-next-50-under-50/qs-top-50-under-50-2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

In its capacity as a business school, UAEU was placed as the third best business school in Africa and the Middle East in the 2010 QS Global 200 Business Schools Report.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.topmba.com/mba-rankings/top-business-schools-report-2010/regions/top-business-schools-in-africa-and-middle-east|title=Top Business Schools in Africa & the Middle East|work=TopMBA|access-date=15 May 2015|archive-date=17 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101017024113/http://www.topmba.com/mba-rankings/top-business-schools-report-2010/regions/top-business-schools-in-africa-and-middle-east|url-status=live}}</ref> As a research university the UAEU is ranked as number one in the GCC countries, number two in the Arab World, and ninth in the Muslim world. As of 2026, the university is ranked 248th globally according to Times Higher Education.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UAEU Ranks First Nationally and within the 201–250 category Globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 |url=https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/en/news/2025/october/uaeu-ranks-first-nationally-and-within-the-201-250-globally-in-the-times-higher-education-world-university-rankings-2026.shtml |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=www.uaeu.ac.ae}}</ref>

==Structure== The Vice-Chancellor is responsible for the management of the university as well as policy and strategic planning, budget and financial activities, external relations, and alumni. The Provost is the Chief Academic Officer responsible for the Colleges, undergraduate studies, research and graduate studies, and information technology. He is assisted by the Deputy Provost. The Secretary General is responsible for services including finance, budget, facilities management, human resources, auxiliary services, and safety. The Deans are the heads of the academic colleges, which are groupings of academic disciplines, through which the academic staff teach at undergraduate and post graduate levels, and conduct research and scholarship.

The UAEU has undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in nine colleges: *College of Business and Economics *College of Education *College of Engineering *College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine *College of Humanities and Social Sciences *College of Information Technology *College of Law *College of Medicine and Health Sciences *College of Science

Graduate degrees are granted by the College of Graduate Studies. There are more than 86 programs offered, including master's and doctoral degrees in several subjects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=University (UAEU) |first=United Arab Emirates |title=United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) |url=https://www.uaeu.ac.ae/en/ |access-date=2026-05-24 |website=www.uaeu.ac.ae |language=en}}</ref> The University Foundations Program prepares students for academic degree programs with pre-university courses in English, Arabic and Mathematics and other support in making the transition from school to university.

In addition to undergraduate and graduate programs, the UAEU conducts continuous education courses and vocational certificates for the community across all disciplines and hosts the Emirates Health Services, which provides medical skills training.

==Faculty== *Ibrahim Galadari, professor and dermatologist

==Symposiums==

===Biological Sciences===

In November 2016, the University held its first ever symposium on Biological Sciences "GENOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS" attended by experts from different parts of the world.<ref>{{cite web |title=UAEU holds first symposium on genomics, bioinformatics |url=http://wam.ae/en/details/1395302585499 |website=wam |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=21 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321222834/https://code.highcharts.com/highcharts.js |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Research== The university launched the first PhD program at a national university in the UAE. As a research institution it attracts national, international, and industrial grants. PhD programs and professional doctorate degrees cover a range including Pharmacy, Public Health, and a Doctorate of Business Administration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-30 |title=United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) |url=https://www.nature.com/nature-index/institution-outputs/united-arab-emirates/united-arab-emirates-university-uaeu/513906d334d6b65e6a000f94 |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Nature Index |language=en}}</ref>

The university hosts research centers including the Zayed Center for Health Sciences and the National Water Center.

== Internationalization == UAEU has enacted partnerships with other higher education institutions across the world. In May 2026, a delegation led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahmed Ali Al Raeesi visited the Education University of Hong Kong and explored possibilities of student mobility, joint research and other potential collaboration between the institutions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2026 |title=EdUHK and UAEU Deepen Collaboration Hold Joint International Symposium |url=https://www.eduhk.hk/en/campus-news/eduhk-and-uaeu-deepen-collaboration-hold-joint-international-symposium |access-date=24 May 2026 |website=The Education University of Hong Kong}}</ref>

== Notable faculty == * Tariq Najm, Iraqi politician

== Notable alumni == * Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, deputy prime minister and minister of presidential affairs of the United Arab Emirates * Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of interior and deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates * Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, minister of foreign affairs of the United Arab Emirates * Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the United Arab Emirates * Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former minister of foreign affairs of the United Arab Emirates and former deputy prime minister * Ahmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, former managing director of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, was regarded as the 27th most powerful person in the world by ''Forbes in 2009 before his death''<ref>{{Cite web|title = The World's Most Powerful People - Forbes.com|url = https://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/20/power-09_The-Worlds-Most-Powerful-People_Rank_2.html|website = www.forbes.com|access-date = 2015-10-20|archive-date = 27 January 2012|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120127032224/http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/20/power-09_The-Worlds-Most-Powerful-People_Rank_2.html|url-status = dead}}</ref> *Shaykha al-Nakhi, pioneering female short story writer * Maryam Al Roumi, minister of social affairs of the United Arab Emirates and the second woman to hold a cabinet post in the history of United Arab Emirates, listed among top 10 most powerful Arab women in government by Forbes<ref name="en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com">{{Cite web|title = The most influential Arab women in government|url = https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/the-most-influential-arab-women-in-government-115043690.html|website = Yahoo Maktoob News|access-date = 2015-10-20|archive-date = 21 March 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321222836/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=2_cc-session_71e4c4b2-65b7-4ec1-8cb4-663511838b36|url-status = live}}</ref> * Saqr Ghobash, minister of labour of the United Arab Emirates and former ambassador to the United States of America and Mexico * Abdul Rahman Al Oweis, minister of health in the United Arab Emirates * Fatima Al Jaber, first woman to be elected to the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce board of directors in December 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 100 most powerful Arab women 2012|url = http://www.arabianbusiness.com/100-most-powerful-arab-women-2012-448295.html?view=profile&itemid=448163|website = Arabian Business|access-date = 2015-10-20|archive-date = 23 August 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170823022110/http://www.arabianbusiness.com/100-most-powerful-arab-women-2012-448295.html?view=profile&itemid=448163|url-status = live}}</ref> As of 2014, she is listed as the 94th most powerful woman in the world by ''Forbes''<ref>{{Cite web|title = The Most Powerful Women In Business|url = https://www.forbes.com/pictures/geke45gi/fatima-al-jaber/|website = www.forbes.com|access-date = 2015-10-20|archive-date = 21 March 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321222835/https://www.forbes.com/pictures/geke45gi/fatima-al-jaber/|url-status = live}}</ref> * Amal Al Qubaisi, first woman to be elected to the UAE’s Federal National Council,<ref>{{Cite web|title = First woman appointed to Abu Dhabi Executive Council {{!}} The National|url = https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/first-woman-appointed-to-abu-dhabi-executive-council-1.254294/|website = www.thenational.ae|date = 15 March 2014|access-date = 2015-10-20|archive-date = 21 March 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210321222837/https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/government/first-woman-appointed-to-abu-dhabi-executive-council-1.254294|url-status = live}}</ref> first woman appointed to Abu Dhabi Executive Council<ref name="en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com"/> * Najla Al Qassimi, UAE's first female ambassador, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Portugal, former ambassador to Sweden * Essa Al Basha Al Noaimi, ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan * Salma Hareb, Chief Executive Officer at Jafza (Dubai free zone), the first female in the Middle East and North Africa to be appointed head of an economic free zone,<ref>{{Cite web|title = 100 Most Powerful Arab Women 2011|url = http://www.arabianbusiness.com/100-most-powerful-arab-women-2011-384182.html?view=profile&itemid=383757|website = Arabian Business|access-date = 2015-10-20}}</ref> ranked as the 2nd most powerful Arab woman in government by Forbes<ref name="en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com"/> * Mariam Al Mansouri, first woman to fly combat fighters in UAE * Noura Al Kaabi, minister of culture and knowledge development * Abdul Qader Al Rais, Emirati artist * Khadem Al Qubaisi, Emirati businessman and the former managing director of the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC).

==References== {{Reflist}}

Category:United Arab Emirates University Category:Universities and colleges in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi Category:Universities and colleges in the United Arab Emirates Category:Buildings and structures in Al Ain Category:Education in Al Ain Category:Universities and colleges established in 1976 Category:1976 establishments in the United Arab Emirates