Ministerial Resolution No. 179 of 2026 sets strict global university ranking criteria, prioritizes economic sectors, and expands study options across Asia and Europe.
DUBAI:The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has unveiled a revised regulatory framework governing overseas university scholarships for Emirati citizens, introducing strict global institutional ranking benchmarks and adding eight new priority target countries.
Ministerial Resolution No. 179 of 2026 establishes a unified framework aimed at aligning higher education funding with national strategic priorities, improving fiscal efficiency, and building high-skilled local talent for key economic sectors.
Under the updated rules, destination universities and colleges will be evaluated against a tiered global ranking system. Institutions ranking in the top 50 worldwide for a specific academic subject qualify automatically, regardless of their overall university rank. For general institutional eligibility, US and Australian universities must rank within the top 100 overall and for the specific subject. Other English-speaking universities must fall within the top 200 globally, while higher education institutions in non-English-speaking countries must rank within the top 300 overall and for the subject area.
To diversify academic partnerships, the ministry named eight priority destinations: China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Finland. Officials said expanding into these advanced education hubs will strengthen scientific ties and support the nation’s transition toward a knowledge-based economy.
The policy establishes priority candidate groups during application reviews. Special consideration will be granted to children of martyrs, social support program beneficiaries, and students residing in remote regions. Candidates will be evaluated using a comparative scoring system that balances academic record, institutional standing, field of study, and admission type.
Specializations aligned with national growth plans will receive funding preference. Priority academic fields include energy, transportation and logistics, technology and engineering, healthcare, water and environment, creative industries, science, and finance.
The regulation also sets obligations for award recipients. Students must maintain continuous academic standing, report any secondary financial aid or outside scholarships, and notify authorities of changes impacting their program. The ministry’s diplomatic education offices abroad will monitor scholars, oversee training and research placements, and facilitate pathways to employment through partnerships with overseas institutions and industry leaders.
The framework provides clear procedures for program deferrals, extensions, temporary suspensions, and cancellations, along with guidelines for distance learning and financial penalties to ensure accountability in public spending.
