Abu dhabi: The UAE Government has issued a Federal Decree Law on Higher Education and Scientific Research, aimed at establishing a comprehensive federal legislative framework. The Federal Decree Law is designed to regulate the higher education and scientific research sector, strengthen governance, and promote effective management of higher education institutions as well as technical and vocational education and training institutions.
According to Emirates News Agency, the legislation aims to enhance the quality and competitiveness of higher education, aligning educational outcomes with labour market requirements while supporting lifelong learning for all graduates. The provisions of the Federal Decree Law apply to all higher education institutions and technical and vocational education and training institutions across the UAE, including those in free zones.
The Decree Law integrates the higher education system with the education system within a sustainable future-oriented vision, defining the stages of higher education in alignment with the levels of the National Qualifications Framework. It obliges institutions to develop academic programmes characterized by innovation, flexibility, and forward-thinking approaches that keep pace with scientific and technological developments and meet labour market needs.
National frameworks governing higher education and scientific research are regulated under the Decree Law, including frameworks for licensing higher education institutions, the national qualifications framework, quality performance, oversight, scientific research, and technical and vocational education and training. It also empowers competent local authorities to issue complementary local frameworks, provided they do not conflict with national requirements.
The Decree Law outlines clear rules for licensing higher education institutions, mandating that no institution can be established or operated without obtaining institutional licensure from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. It regulates the validity and renewal of licenses, additional grace periods, and measures resulting from non-compliance, ensuring appropriate safeguards for enrolled students.
Additionally, the Decree Law regulates programme accreditation, prohibiting institutions from offering academic programmes without obtaining accreditation from the Ministry. It specifies the validity period of programme accreditation, evaluation procedures, and renewal processes, and allows for the accreditation of internationally accredited programmes without re-accreditation or additional fees under certain conditions.
All licensed higher education institutions in the UAE are subject to periodic classification and evaluation processes conducted by the Ministry, with the results published after approval by the Education, Human Development, and Community Development Council and the UAE Cabinet. The decree mandates higher education institutions to obtain approval before implementing substantial changes, adding new facilities, or modifying academic programmes.
The decree also requires institutions offering e-learning or blended learning programmes to implement quality assurance standards according to national frameworks and subject their programmes to independent accreditation. This ensures effective educational outcomes and promotes interaction between students and faculty members, while also considering online education's specific characteristics.
Specific regulatory provisions for higher education institutions in free zones are included, requiring them to obtain local authorisation and institutional licensing from the Ministry. Technical and vocational education and training institutions must also obtain approval and accreditation before offering programmes culminating in qualifications placed within the National Qualifications Framework.
