University enrollment in the UAE has reached a decade high as the country’s higher education system expands to meet changing labor market needs, with artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly reshaping job-related skills.
The latest figures show 218,241 students are enrolled across UAE universities. A total of 64,859 new students joined during the past academic year, marking the highest registration rate in five years.
The figures were announced as the UAE began the 2026-2027 academic year, highlighting continued growth in higher education and the need for universities to align programs with technological changes.
The nation’s higher education system includes 103 universities that offer more than 2,500 courses, supported by 10,633 teachers. Universities graduated 31,061 students in the academic year 2024-2025, according to statistics from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
According to Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the higher education system must not confine itself merely to academic qualifications but must equip students with relevant capabilities.
Students must be able to contribute to the nation’s development as technology, AI, and the digital economy transform the workforce.
The UAE’s technology push is already changing employment requirements. Research cited by The National found that the share of UAE job postings requiring AI experience increased from less than 1 percent in 2021 to 1.7 percent three years later.
Demand includes skills such as natural language processing, machine learning, and generative AI.
The UAE could also require more than one million additional workers by 2030, including an estimated 91,000 technology specialists, according to a ServiceNow and Pearson forecast cited in the report.
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The ministry is also supporting technical and vocational education, research and innovation as part of efforts to prepare students for changing workforce requirements.
The higher education system currently includes 2,900 students of determination studying in inclusive educational environments. Al Awar emphasized the role of families and educational institutions in preparing future generations for national development and strengthening the UAE’s global competitiveness.