ABU DHABI // The decision to abolish the English-language preparatory year for new students at the three state universities is to be raised at the Federal National Council.
The foundation course has been in place for decades to help students who would otherwise struggle with degree courses taught in English.
However, it is a serious drain on financial resources at United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University and the Higher Colleges of Technology, diverting funds from other areas, and the Cabinet decided last month that it should be scrapped.
Now the Minister of Higher Education, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak, is to be asked when that decision is likely to be implemented.
“I have wanted to ask the Cabinet to remove this foundation year at universities since last June, but the question has since been delayed till now,” said Ali Al Nuaimi (Ajman).
“Now that the Cabinet has decided to waive it, I want to know what the ministry plans to do, and for them to give us a timeframe of when it will be scrapped.”
He said for too long students have had to suffer through a limbo year when they were neither school pupils nor studying towards their degrees, and universities have had to bear the cost.
Three other ministers are also expected to answer questions at Tuesday’s FNC session.
Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State for FNC Affairs, will be asked by Ahmed Al Omash (RAK) for an update on the state of a recommendation sent to the Cabinet in January 2012 urging full health insurance for all Emiratis.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and head of the General Authority for Youth and Sports Welfare, will be asked by Marwan bin Ghalita (Dubai) about whether expatriate professional athletes should be allowed to participate on national teams.
Sheikh Nahyan will also be asked by two other members about the ministry's role in enriching national identity and on a delayed law aimed at protecting archeological sites.
Finally, Dr Abdullah Bilheif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Public Works, will be expected to answer a question from Faisal Al Teniji (RAK) about the damage to Shamel Al Qasedat Road in last November’s heavy rain.
Mr Al Teniji said the road was a main thoroughfare in Ras Al Khaimah and had been built only a few months before the damage occurred.
During the second half of the session, members will debate with Sheikh Hamdan the issue of scientific research and what might be hindering it.
Dr Mona Al Bahar, who heads the committee that carried out a study on scientific research, has voiced concern over a lack of funding.
The committee has been studying the issue since 2012, and has made a number of trips to federal universities to obtain a clearer picture of the current state of research.
Their first trip took them to UAE University in November 2012. Members were not impressed.
More recently, however, the Ministry of Higher Education has revealed that part of its 2014 plan was to focus more on research.
The public session will be held in Abu Dhabi at the FNC headquarters, starting from 9am.
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Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.
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.
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