UAE fast-tracks licensing, accreditation for universities

The UAE has introduced a fast-track licensing and accreditation system for universities that reduces approval timelines from several months to just one week, according to officials from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The move, part of the federal government’s Zero Bureaucracy initiative, aims to expedite the rollout of academic programs and support the UAE’s ambitions of becoming a global education hub.

Under the new system, qualifying Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) — particularly those with medium to high confidence ratings and existing international accreditations — can launch new programs and obtain institutional licenses in record time.

"This shift enables universities to respond quickly to market needs," Rawan Ghali, director of Institutional Effectiveness at the American University in Dubai told Khaleej Times. "We’ve already experienced the benefits through the accreditation of our new Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development program."

Ghali noted that the previous process often took six to nine months, involving extensive documentation and multiple site visits. “Now, the process has been dramatically streamlined to as little as one week, yet it remains rigorous and evidence-based,” she said.

The ministry also announced a unified, outcome-based evaluation framework for both new and existing institutions. It incorporates 24 key performance indicators across six focus areas, emphasizing continuous monitoring and quality assurance.

The ministry has also introduced mid-cycle reviews to ensure sustained academic standards.