The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has unveiled a package of reforms to streamline institutional licence renewal and academic accreditation procedures. The new rules provide for a risk-based management system designed to increase efficiency and shorten renewal periods for higher education institutions.
Under the new system, low-risk institutions will have a six-year licence, reviewed every three years, and high-risk institutions will be given a two-year licence with yearly monitoring. The initiative provides that all accredited higher education institutions in the UAE are evaluated through uniform performance indicators and quantifiable outcomes.
Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla, Ministry Undersecretary, highlighted that the framework establishes a single evaluation mechanism, ensuring consistency and transparency in the evaluation of institutions. The reforms decrease substantially the documentation requirements and make the licensing process more streamlined. Institutions newly formed will only be required to submit five documents rather than 28 to obtain a licence.
Similarly, the number of required documents for initial academic program accreditation has been reduced from 13 to one. Institutional licence renewal requirements have also been streamlined from over 11 documents to a single submission. Existing institutions seeking accreditation for new programs will now submit only one document instead of 13.
Also, the new regulations provide clear avenues for new and current institutions in terms of licensing and accreditation. Institutions are now required to get prior approval from the ministry to open or close a teaching unit.
To further improve efficiency, licensing procedures will be harmonized between the Ministry and the local education authorities so that ministry licensing is secured immediately with local approval.Internationally accredited academic programs will now be recognized automatically without further procedures.
These reforms will cover all current and new higher education institutions licenced by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, underscoring the UAE's support for a smooth and high-caliber education system.
