From Pioneering Institution to Global Powerhouse: UAE University Cements its Higher Education Legacy

AL AIN – In the heart of Al Ain, the university that laid the foundation for the UAE's higher education landscape is steadily transforming into a global research hub, leveraging its deep-rooted history to address the challenges of the future.

The Crescent building is a landmark in Al Ain, The UAE University Great Hall & library is located in Crescent building Thursday, 30,October,2025 ( ,Photo by : Maitha Shahin 30/10/2025)

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), founded in 1976 by the nation's founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was established as the country's first and flagship comprehensive university. Nearly five decades later, it has grown into a formidable institution enrolling over 17,700 students and is now making its mark not just regionally, but on the world stage.

UAE University buildings from the past to present, Al Ain, ( credit UAE University Website: UAEU.ac.ae)

The scale of UAEU's academic enterprise provides the foundation for its research output. As of the Spring 2025 term, the university employs a robust academic staff of 645 faculty members, supported by 224 instructors and 44 teaching assistants. This faculty body delivers a wide range of programs across critical fields, including Medicine and Health Sciences, Engineering, Science, and Information Technology.

Video of the UAE University, the university leads research and higher education in the country , Alain, UAE, ( Video credit: UAEU Media YouTube)

Number of faculties by college for spring 2025, (Statistics) (Source: UAE University Website: UAEU.ac.ae)

UAEU's ambition to become a "research-intensive university" is backed by strategic action. The University works directly with industry partners to ensure its research has tangible applications. It has established multiple research centers focused on areas of critical importance, positioning itself as a key contributor to the nation's knowledge economy and strategic development goals.

UAEU's influence is most evident in its student body. With 17,722 students currently enrolled, the university is educating the next generation of Emirati and international leaders. The student population, which is 71% female, is distributed across its nine colleges, with significant enrollment in Humanities and Social Sciences (3,919), Engineering (3,650), and Business and Economics (2,163). This pipeline of highly qualified graduates, whose programs were developed in partnership with employers, ensures that UAEU alumni continue to hold key positions throughout the region's industry, commerce, and government.

From its historic founding by Sheikh Zayed to its current status as an internationally ranked research university, UAEU continues to evolve, embodying its role as a model of innovation and excellence for the UAE and beyond.