New UAE System Approves University Programmes in Just One Week
In a landmark move aimed at revolutionising the education sector, the United Arab Emirates has introduced a fast-track licensing and accreditation process, enabling universities to launch new academic programmes within just a week. This initiative drastically reduces the time frame that earlier stretched over several months and required multiple site visits. The new system is part of the UAE government’s broader Zero Bureaucracy initiative, which seeks to streamline administrative procedures across sectors for better efficiency and growth.
Previously, higher education institutions (HEIs) in the UAE were required to navigate a prolonged approval process to introduce new academic offerings. This often included exhaustive documentation, multiple site inspections, and procedural delays lasting between six to nine months—or longer in some cases. The updated mechanism now eliminates much of this red tape by employing an outcome-based evaluation framework, with decisions primarily driven by predefined performance indicators and documented evidence rather than time-consuming inspections.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) is spearheading this transformation with the launch of the unified licensing framework. This streamlined system applies to both new and existing institutions, thereby ensuring consistency and higher educational standards across the board.
Accelerating Academic Innovation
Dr. Rawan Ghali, director of Institutional Effectiveness at the American University in Dubai, emphasized how beneficial the reform is for universities. According to her, this change allows institutions to quickly respond to evolving market needs by launching relevant academic programmes in record time. For instance, the American University in Dubai has already taken advantage of this new policy by securing fast-track accreditation for its Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development.
Ghali noted that the earlier system’s multiple procedural stages made universities wait for months before they could even begin to plan for enrolment in new courses. “Under the revised framework, the timeline has been brought down to just one week for qualified institutions—especially those that possess international accreditation and demonstrate high institutional confidence,” she said.
She was quick to add that the rapid nature of the new system does not compromise academic quality. Rather, it ensures that the approval process remains both rigorous and evidence-based. Institutions must still present comprehensive documentation supporting their programme quality, student outcomes, faculty credentials, and curriculum design.
Simplification Without Compromise
Dr. Adam Fenech, provost at Canadian University Dubai, echoed similar sentiments. He described the new framework as a breakthrough that simplifies procedural complexities while maintaining the integrity of the evaluation system. “In the past, institutions had to endure long timelines and multiple site visits. Now, provided they hold a local licence, they can complete the entire institutional licensure and programme accreditation process within one week,” he explained.
Fenech clarified that while programme approvals could be completed within this reduced time frame, the final green light still includes a verification visit by ministry officials before the programme is formally launched. This ensures a last layer of quality assurance while keeping the process brisk and efficient.
Continuous Monitoring and Mid-Cycle Evaluations
To uphold academic excellence, the Ministry has also introduced mid-cycle evaluation visits for licensed universities. These are designed to monitor institutional improvements and maintain high-quality standards across the UAE’s higher education ecosystem. The mid-cycle assessments align with global best practices and help in identifying any operational gaps that need addressing.
Professor Souri Banerjee, director of BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, highlighted how this progressive system aids universities in obtaining Initial Institutional Licensure (IIL) and Initial Programme Accreditation (IPA) in a much shorter period. “The new licensing process includes built-in safeguards to ensure that speed does not come at the cost of quality,” he said.
The evaluations now rely on 24 Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across six fundamental pillars. This enables institutions to showcase their compliance and performance through measurable data, effectively reducing the need for prolonged physical evaluations.
According to Banerjee, “The focus has shifted to outcome-based assessments, allowing for more streamlined and predictive evaluations. Institutions now have a clear understanding of what’s expected, and the framework encourages continuous improvement through routine data monitoring.”
A Strategic Move Towards Becoming an Educational Hub
This reform is aligned with the UAE’s vision to transform itself into a leading global education hub. By making it easier and faster for institutions to innovate, the country is laying down strong foundations for academic advancement, economic diversification, and skilled workforce development.
Dr. Ghali pointed out that the new licensing regime makes the UAE more agile in addressing skills shortages, technological advancements, and evolving market demands. “It allows us to be more responsive, proactive, and in sync with what industries require from today’s graduates,” she said.
From engineering and IT to creative arts and game design, the new policy encourages universities to explore and implement new areas of academic study that were previously held back due to administrative delays. This not only boosts student interest and career prospects but also enhances the UAE’s educational competitiveness on a global scale.
Support from Institutional Leaders
Across the UAE, institutional leaders have welcomed the move with enthusiasm. Many universities are already preparing to submit new programmes under the streamlined model. This has triggered a new wave of curriculum development and faculty hiring plans that will help universities stay ahead in a competitive education market.
Dr. Fenech added that such regulatory flexibility is critical in today’s fast-evolving educational landscape. “Universities need to be dynamic and responsive. The revised framework finally gives us that freedom, without neglecting the assurance of quality,” he stated.
Final Thoughts
The UAE’s fast-track licensing and accreditation process is a bold and forward-thinking step that aligns with global trends in education reform. It enables quicker programme development, reduces institutional delays, and strengthens the country’s position as an attractive destination for quality higher education. As more universities begin to benefit from this transformation, the future looks promising for both educators and students in the UAE.
