In a major policy shift, the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has introduced stricter guidelines for degrees obtained via online learning, distance education, and correspondence courses. While such degrees will now be considered for recognition, they must meet strict criteria set by a dedicated ministerial committee.

However, vocational certificates and training programme diplomas won’t make the cut, along with degrees from courses catering to niche student groups.

Degree Verification Gets a Makeover

To streamline the process, the ministry has roped in two external agencies — Dataflow and QuadraBay — to handle degree verification and equivalency certification.

Applicants must first verify their qualifications with these authorised partners, ensuring their documents are legitimate. Only after this step can they apply for official recognition from the ministry.

The entire process is online and takes around 30 working days. Those who wish to challenge a decision have three months to lodge an appeal.

Strict Criteria for Recognition

Each case will be reviewed individually, but the bottom line is clear:

• The awarding university must be accredited in its home country.
• Study methods must comply with the university’s official guidelines.
• No shortcuts—vocational certificates, short-term training programs, and degrees from specialist courses will not be recognised.

What Will It Cost You?

The ministry has set fees for degree recognition:

• Dh100 for a bachelor’s degree
• Dh150 for a postgraduate degree
• Dh200 for a doctoral degree

The cost of initial verification varies based on the country of study, and payments can be made online via e-Dirham or postpaid cards.

Five Key Rules for Recognition

To qualify, applicants must:

1. Follow the study programme as outlined by their university.
2. Meet all ministry recognition requirements.
3. Ensure their university is accredited in the home country.
5. Stick to the UAE’s online study limits—no more than 18 credit hours per semester for distance learning.
6. For medical and engineering degrees, postgraduate applicants must hold a related bachelor’s degree.

This move is set to impact thousands of students and professionals seeking UAE recognition for their qualifications. For those with degrees from unconventional routes, the message is clear: Meet the criteria or risk rejection.

(Source: GT)

The UAE’s Ministry of Education has announced the launch of the “Ramadan with the Family” initiative. As part of this initiative, public school students will participate in a special distance learning arrangement and engage in activities designed to enhance family bonding.

Under this initiative, every Friday throughout Ramadan will be designated as a day for distance learning for students, allowing them to spend more time with their families. However, students with pre-approved exam schedules on Fridays will be exempted from this arrangement to ensure minimal disruption to their academic progress.

To complement this move, the Ministry has circulated a comprehensive guide outlining various student activities in collaboration with parents. These activities are designed to enrich students’ understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance of Ramadan while promoting family engagement. “The holy month of Ramadan is a time for reflection, togetherness, and giving. Through the ‘Ramadan with the Family’ initiative, we aim to create a supportive learning environment that integrates academic growth with family values,” the Ministry stated.

Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has introduced a groundbreaking policy aimed at enhancing Arabic language education in early childhood learning, the authority announced on Friday.

The new policy mandates Arabic language education for children from birth to six years old at all private schools and early childhood centres in Dubai. This initiative seeks to reinforce the use of Arabic in both educational institutions and society, fostering a deep-rooted sense of pride in Emirati culture, language, and heritage.

Implementation Timeline

The policy will take effect from September 2025 for schools that follow a September academic year and from April 2026 for schools that begin their academic year in April. It will be implemented in phases, with the first phase—starting in September 2025—focusing on children aged four to six years. Subsequent phases will gradually extend the policy to cover all children from birth to six years.

A Play-Based Approach to Learning Arabic

KHDA emphasized that the new policy promotes a play-based, inquiry-driven approach to Arabic language learning in early childhood. Schools and early childhood centres will be required to offer diverse language-learning models to cater to both native and non-native Arabic speakers.

Additionally, at least one-third of a child’s instructional time must involve an Arabic teacher engaging students in interactive and culturally relevant activities. Schools must also ensure that Arabic teachers hold the necessary qualifications and receive professional development to enhance their teaching skills.

Parental Involvement Encouraged

KHDA has urged parents to actively support their children’s Arabic language development both at school and home. Schools will provide resources and strategies to help integrate Arabic language learning into everyday life.

‘Language of Daad’ Initiative

The initiative to enhance Arabic language education in early childhood is part of Loughat Al Daad, one of 28 key initiatives under Dubai’s Education 33 strategy.

“Daad is a letter and sound unique to the Arabic language, and Loughat Al Daad translates to ‘The Language of Daad.’ This initiative aims to strengthen Arabic language acquisition while deepening children’s understanding of UAE culture and heritage,” KHDA highlighted.

Updates to Mandatory Subjects

In addition to the early childhood Arabic education policy, KHDA has updated the curriculum requirements for national mandatory subjects across private schools in Dubai. These include Arabic, Islamic Education, Social Studies, and Moral Education for students from Grade 1/Year 2 to Grade 12/Year 13.

The updates introduce:

• Increased instructional time for these subjects.
• Changes in the language of instruction for Arabic, Islamic Education, and Social Studies for Arab students.
• Revised content for UAE Social, Moral, and Cultural Studies for non-Arab students.

These changes reflect KHDA’s commitment to enhancing Arabic language proficiency and strengthening the cultural education framework within Dubai’s private school system.