Higher education strategy based on four key pillars

It seeks to equip a new generation of Emiratis to face the challenges of the future

The Ministry of Education yesterday launched the National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 to establish the highest scientific and professional education standards to serve the UAE’s future generations.

“Education is a national priority for the UAE leadership, and has evolved over the years. Today, through the Higher Education Strategy 2030, we introduce a model of education that empowers our students with the knowledge to face the future,” Hussain Ebrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, said.

“Developing an innovative education system and enhancing students’ skills is at the core of our strategy.”

The National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 is based on four main pillars. They are:

Quality: Applying highquality accreditation standards and providing incentives for institutions and distinguished teaching staff to enhance competitiveness and increase global rankings.

Efficiency: Achieving optimal productivity in higher education institutions, and increasing the student completion rate. Effective funding mechanisms will also be put in place.

Innovation: Creating an educational environment that fosters scientific research and provides competitive funding in order to increase research outputs that contribute to the advancement of a knowledge-based economy.

Harmonisation: Preparing qualified graduates to compete in both the public and private sectors by building partnerships with the private sector in areas such as curriculum design and training.

33 key initiatives

The strategy also identified 33 key initiatives to support the implementation phase. These include the National Quality Framework initiative, Transparent Classification of Outputs initiative, Investment in Knowledge initiative and Competitive Research Funding initiative.

The launch of the Private Sector Council sets up a new body to regulate the manpower needs of UAE businesses and specify qualifications to work in the higher education system, and to focus on supporting research and development.

The strategic initiatives will also introduce the Expanded Professional Experience to provide a variety of career training programmes to students such as on-campus work, job shadowing, joint ventures and vocational training.