Universities in the United Arab Emirates are experiencing a notable improvement in global rankings, as regional institutions enhance their academic reputation. The latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2025 show significant progress for universities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, highlighting the impact of strategic investments in education and research.
University rankings strongly influence student selection of higher education institutions. Indices like QS World University Rankings serve as global benchmarks for policymakers and government officials, supporting decisions on resource allocation, educational policies and programs, and funding.
A new Arthur D. Little (ADL) Viewpoint titled ‘Enhancing University Rankings to Support Human Capital Development’ explores the key factors driving the transformation of higher education. It highlights how GCC nations can boost their universities by leveraging education reforms, research funding, and international collaborations.
The Viewpoint identifies four key pillars that influence university rankings: (1) teaching quality, (2) research impact, (3) international outlook, and (4) industry engagement. Over recent years, the UAE has made notable strides in improving its universities’ global rankings, aligning these efforts with their national strategies.
Yigit Saf, Principal at Arthur D. Little Middle East said "This year’s rankings confirm what we have long anticipated—UAE universities are rapidly gaining global recognition as a result of sustained investment in education, research, and international partnerships. The region’s focus on developing world-class institutions is not just about improving rankings but about building a knowledge-driven economy that can compete on a global scale".
The UAE continues to see steady progress. United Arab Emirates University advanced 29 places to 261st globally, reflecting the UAE’s research investments.
To sustain the positive momentum of improved university rankings, an indicator of the overall education landscape in the UAE, a focus on the four key pillars of teaching quality, research effect, international outlook, and industry engagement is required. Universities can improve teaching quality by enhancing faculty training and modernizing curricula to ensure students gain relevant skills. Expanding high-impact research also remains a priority, where institutions should advance interdisciplinary research and publications to improve their global influence. UAE can also broaden its international footprint by attracting world-class faculty, fostering student exchange programs, and forging academic partnerships to increase global integration. Industry engagement can be another critical driver, with universities strengthening corporate collaborations, patent development, and market-driven research initiatives to enhance graduates’ employability and national economic growth.
"To sustain this momentum, higher education institutes must understand their key gaps and strengths across the 4 strategic pillars, and design tailored strategies to enhance the quality of education in their countries and bridge the gaps between higher education and labour market needs,” said Amr Kazimi, Senior Manager at Arthur D. Little Middle East. “Investing in world-class faculty and fostering interdisciplinary innovation will be critical in ensuring that UAE universities not only climb the rankings but also become globally recognized knowledge hubs".
Spain’s IE University (IEU) offers a prime example of success by boosting its global ranking through a diverse, international student and faculty body, supported by government-backed scholarships and streamlined visa processes. In the area of industry collaboration, Purdue University’s partnership with Rolls-Royce reshaped its engineering curriculum to address employer needs, strengthening ties between academia and industry. Likewise, the National University of Singapore (NUS) created the Centre for Future-ready Graduates (CFG), which connects students to career paths through employer collaborations, internships, and direct industry engagement.
Research-focused universities also demonstrate the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and global impact. MIT’s research strategy has established it as a leader by emphasizing high-impact publications and tech-driven innovation hubs. By adopting similar strategies and incorporating industry-supported research initiatives, UAE universities can continue to improve their global rankings while enhancing their role in fostering regional innovation.
