Dubai’s best and worst performing universities have been revealed in the emirate's latest higher education league table.
The Higher Education Classification, developed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, provides a rating of 17 branch campuses of international universities covering the 2019-20 academic period.
The one-to-five star system measures universities based on criteria such as teaching, employability, internationalisation, research, facilities, programme strength, arts and culture and happiness and well-being.
Six universities received the highest five star rating, including Birla Institute of Technology and Science Pilani, Heriot-Watt University, London Business School and City, University of London.
The worst performing institutions with two stars were Islamic Azad University and Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology (SZABIST).
Five achieved a four star rating and four received a three star rating. Last year, only three universities achieved five stars and eight received four stars.
No university received a one star this year. In 2019, SZABIST was the only one to get a one star ranking.
Dr Kevin Dunseath, the director of the City, University of London Dubai campus, said he is pleased about their improvement in this year’s report.
"We are delighted that our rating has gone from four to five stars. We believe this is a recognition to our overall offering in our Dubai centre," he told The National.
“We are pleased that the very high level of our teaching has been recognised and strength of our programme. We are also pleased that our employability rating has been improved.”
The university opened its Dubai campus in 2007 and currently has 258 students.
Dr Dunseath added that the annual report by KHDA will help improve the higher education market in the country and offered students an insight into university standards.
The number of students choosing universities in Dubai’s free zones have gone up from 12,000 in 2008 to more than 30,000 in 2019.
Even though 2020 figures are not available, The National reported previously that more students are opting for local universities for the next academic year as education abroad remains uncertain due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
Middlesex University Dubai, which had more than 3,500 students as of 2019, also improved from a four star to a five star ranking.
“2020 has both been the dawn of a new decade - and a year which has seen unprecedented times - not only in the world of academia but for the wider world at large," Dr Cedwyn Fernandes, pro vice-chancellor and director of the university said:
“However, this phase will pass. Opportunities will return. Our world will emerge stronger than before.
“We look forward to continuing to build the highest level of excellence as we get ready for a new year of preparing graduates to leave their mark on the world.”
The Heriot-Watt University Dubai maintained their five star rating this year.
Ammar Kaka, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai, said the rating was “proof” of student and staff confidence in the university despite the challenging times.
“The last year has seen us achieve several milestones – we signed a 10-year lease for a 218,000 sqft new campus in the Dubai Knowledge Park, we added new programmes in line with changing market requirements, we demonstrated teaching excellence even in the light of COVID-19 disruption and made significant progress in driving the employability for our graduates,” he said.
SZABIST was one of the two worst performing universities. It ranked low in a few of the categories, including one star in research, facilities and internationalisation.
However, it has five stars in the employability category, three stars in inclusiveness and arts and culture.
Dr. Hummayoun Naeem, head of campus at SZABIST, said they are aiming for three stars next years after moving up from a one star ranking last year.
"I would say we have improved in the weak areas pointed out last time. We equipped our facility with proper resources and we've implemented green practices at the campus. We've also introduced more qualified guest speakers and we now have a dedicated activities officer. We are going to continue the progress," he said.
He added that the university still lacks in certain areas which has kept them at a low rank. This includes not having access to a adequate sports facilities.
"We are a small university and there are certain areas such as outdoor sports that we don't have. We have to ask other universities to borrow their sports ground," he said.
Meanwhile, Islamic Azad University received a one star in employability, learning environment and happiness and well-being. It performed best in research, with four stars.
Dr Wafi Dawood, chief executive of strategy and planning sector at KHDA, said that the higher education classification (HEC) is “another step forward” in the maturity of Dubai’s private higher education sector.
“Students in Dubai and all over the world can refer to the HEC to identify what they value in higher education, and then to make more confident decisions about their future in Dubai.
“The HEC also gives branch campuses an opportunity to show their strengths. We’re grateful to our university partners for their cooperation in putting the HEC together.”
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Known EU weapons transfers to Ukraine since the war began: Germany 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger surface-to-air missiles. Luxembourg 100 NLAW anti-tank weapons, jeeps and 15 military tents as well as air transport capacity. Belgium 2,000 machine guns, 3,800 tons of fuel. Netherlands 200 Stinger missiles. Poland 100 mortars, 8 drones, Javelin anti-tank weapons, Grot assault rifles, munitions. Slovakia 12,000 pieces of artillery ammunition, 10 million litres of fuel, 2.4 million litres of aviation fuel and 2 Bozena de-mining systems. Estonia Javelin anti-tank weapons. Latvia Stinger surface to air missiles. Czech Republic machine guns, assault rifles, other light weapons and ammunition worth $8.57 million.
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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
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Born September 27, 1976
Position Attacking midifelder
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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How will Gen Alpha invest?
Mark Chahwan, co-founder and chief executive of robo-advisory firm Sarwa, forecasts that Generation Alpha (born between 2010 and 2024) will start investing in their teenage years and therefore benefit from compound interest.
“Technology and education should be the main drivers to make this happen, whether it’s investing in a few clicks or their schools/parents stepping up their personal finance education skills,” he adds.
Mr Chahwan says younger generations have a higher capacity to take on risk, but for some their appetite can be more cautious because they are investing for the first time. “Schools still do not teach personal finance and stock market investing, so a lot of the learning journey can feel daunting and intimidating,” he says.
He advises millennials to not always start with an aggressive portfolio even if they can afford to take risks. “We always advise to work your way up to your risk capacity, that way you experience volatility and get used to it. Given the higher risk capacity for the younger generations, stocks are a favourite,” says Mr Chahwan.
Highlighting the role technology has played in encouraging millennials and Gen Z to invest, he says: “They were often excluded, but with lower account minimums ... a customer with $1,000 [Dh3,672] in their account has their money working for them just as hard as the portfolio of a high get-worth individual.”
THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
