A new blueprint for Dubai's education sector unveiled this week will aim to make the emirate one of the top ten student cities in the world, strengthen the teaching of the Arabic language and foster a culture of lifelong learning.
The Education Strategy 2033 – known as E33 – was announced on Tuesday by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, as part of a wider package of initiatives to encourage people to live, learn and invest in the city.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority – Dubai's private education regulator – on Wednesday described it as a “game-changing strategy designed to revolutionise Dubai’s education landscape”.
“E33 transforms Dubai's education model to a learner-centric approach, focusing on individual needs and lifelong learning,” the KHDA said on social media platform X. “From early years to higher education, we’re equipping students with the skills and opportunities to thrive and contribute to the future workforce.”
The objectives of the initiative include to develop “productive Emiratis empowered with quality education” and to provide “equitable and accessible quality education”. Emphasis will also be placed on making the teaching profession more attractive to make it one of the “most sought-after careers”.
The Dubai government has set out several performance indicators to be achieved by 2033. These include:
- Dubai ranks in the top 10 in best student city index
- More than 40,000 seats available in affordable schools
- Ensuring international students make up 50 per cent of those enrolled at universities
- Ninety per cent of parents to be satisfied with the available education options
Dubai was placed 72nd in the 2025 QS Best Student Cities Ranking, announced in June, while retaining its position as the Arab world’s leading student city. London topped the list, with Tokyo, Seoul, Munich and Melbourne rounding off the top five.
The action plan also includes 'game changer' goals, which include a learner passport, representing Dubai's target for tailored education journeys for every learner, plus a drive to enhance the positioning and scope of the Arabic language in education.
The strategy also calls for counselling programmes to be established to support the well-being of all pupils and students, with a focus on Emiratis.
“This landmark strategy will consolidate Dubai’s status as a global hub for education and innovation,” said Aisha Miran, director general of the KHDA, at a press conference on Wednesday.
"The new strategy aims to provide every student with a world-class education that meets the highest global standards. While rooted in Emirati values, E33 embraces the rich multiculturalism that defines our city, ensuring that both our heritage and diversity remain integral to the learning experience."
Sheikh Hamdan said the Education Strategy 2033 would seek to provide pupils and teachers with the tools needed to drive up education standards and develop the nation's next generation of leaders.
“Under the guidance of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, [Vice President and Ruler of Dubai], Dubai has developed a unique, pioneering global model, and we are now building a more advanced education system in line with this model,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
“This strategy is an investment in Dubai's future, empowering the next generation with essential skills. We have directed the Knowledge and Human Development Authority to place students at the heart of the new system to equip them with skills to lead and shape the future.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Emergency
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Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
