Strategic agreement expands access to English proficiency assessments, supporting university admissions and career pathways for UAE learners
ABU DHABI, Sept. 8 : Students across the United Arab Emirates will gain expanded access to internationally recognized English-language testing under a strategic partnership established between the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) and TOEFL.
The agreement establishes six new TOEFL iBT assessment centres across CERT’s nationwide campus footprint, positioning the organization as the largest education and training provider hosting authorized TOEFL testing facilities within the country.
CERT operates as the training and workforce capacity arm of Capital H Group, an investment vehicle established under the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT). With a operating history spanning nearly 30 years, CERT works closely with federal departments, private enterprises, and academic institutions across the Emirates to deliver certified applied education and skill certifications.
The TOEFL iBT exam evaluates English reading, listening, speaking, and writing competencies in academic environments. Administered internationally by Educational Testing Service (ETS), the certification is recognized by over 13,000 higher education institutions across more than 160 countries and has been taken by more than 40 million candidates globally.
Khalid Alhammadi, Chief Executive Officer of CERT, stated that the partnership aims to offer candidates dependable regional access to globally accredited qualifications. He noted that the initiative directly aligns with national strategies to develop homegrown talent and reinforce the Emirates’ position as an international education destination.
David Hand, Vice President of TOEFL, described the launch of the six regional facilities as an essential initial phase. He emphasized that the cooperation combines CERT’s regional infrastructure and insight into UAE learning requirements with TOEFL’s research-backed language assessment standards.
The expanded testing network is designed to cut travel times for students preparing for domestic and overseas university admissions, while meeting language certification criteria required by regional corporate employers and government agencies.
