The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has withdrawn recognition of all degrees and qualifications issued by Midocean University, which operates an office in Fujairah. The decision comes after a joint inspection with the Fujairah Free Zone Authority uncovered serious compliance issues.

Officials found that the university had been offering registration and academic programmes without proper accreditation. Some online programmes were run without a clear quality assurance system, and there were significant discrepancies between the student and course information submitted to authorities and what was actually happening on site.

After a thorough review, MoHESR confirmed that Midocean University does not meet the UAE’s national standards. The university’s status has now been updated to “not accredited” in the official records.

The ministry stressed that this move is aimed at protecting students and ensuring the credibility of higher education in the UAE. Students and parents are encouraged to check the accreditation status of any institution before enrolling, either via MoHESR’s website or by calling the Customer Happiness Centre at 800511.

MoHESR reiterated its commitment to strong oversight and cooperation with local and federal authorities to ensure a safe, transparent, and trustworthy learning environment for all students.

Bisleri International, India’s leading packaged drinking water brand, has signed a three-year partnership with the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) to become its Official Hydration Partner. The agreement was formalised at Dubai International Stadium and marks a major step in Bisleri’s expansion in the UAE while promoting hydration and wellness in sports.

Under the partnership, Bisleri branding will appear on the uniforms of the Men’s, Women’s, U19 Men’s, and U19 Women’s national teams. The branding will feature across bilateral series, Asian Cricket Council events, and ICC tournaments, increasing visibility for the brand across high-profile cricket platforms.

Subhan Ahmad, COO of ECB, said: “We are delighted to start this exciting three-year journey with Bisleri. The Emirates Cricket Board continues to formalise partnerships with leading international brands and looks forward to a mutually rewarding collaboration for both men’s and women’s teams.”

Ishan Chopra, Head of Commercial at ECB, added: “This partnership represents a strong alignment of values and ambitions, reinforcing our mission to empower UAE cricket talent at every level while representing the nation globally.”

Angelo George, CEO of Bisleri International, said: “Bisleri is synonymous with packaged drinking water and a market leader in India. This partnership with ECB brings together two strong institutions with a shared commitment to excellence and helps strengthen Bisleri’s international presence.”

Tushar Malhotra, Director of Sales and Marketing at Bisleri, added: “We are thrilled to champion hydration alongside the Emirates Cricket Board. This collaboration will be brought alive through an exciting, integrated marketing approach across India and the UAE.”

Companies in the UAE that fall short of their 2025 Emiratisation requirements will have to pay Dh108,000 for every Emirati they fail to hire, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has confirmed.
The financial penalties will come into effect in January 2026, giving firms just days left in December to meet their quotas.

MoHRE urged private-sector employers to accelerate their hiring efforts by using Nafis, the federal platform that connects companies with qualified Emirati job seekers.

Who must hire Emiratis, and how many?

Under current rules:

• Companies with 50+ employees must raise the number of Emiratis in skilled jobs by 2% by December 31.
• Selected firms with 20–49 employees, operating in high-growth sectors, must hire at least one Emirati and retain any Emiratis hired before January 1, 2025.

Starting in January, MoHRE will verify whether new Emirati hires are properly registered in the national social insurance system and whether contributions are paid regularly.

Any company that misses its target will be required to pay the mandatory Dh108,000 contribution per unfilled role.

Tougher monitoring with AI

MoHRE praised the private sector for strong compliance to date but said it is now using AI-powered monitoring systems to detect fake Emiratisation and any attempts to bypass the hiring requirements.

Penalties include:

• Downgrading a company’s classification
• Requiring firms to correct violations
• Imposing the mandatory financial contributions

Emiratis can report suspected violations confidentially via MoHRE’s hotline, mobile app or website.

Support and rewards for compliant companies

While enforcement is becoming stricter, MoHRE said high-performing companies will continue to receive incentives.

Businesses that exceed their hiring goals may qualify for the Emiratisation Partners Club, which offers:

• Up to 80% discounts on MoHRE service fees
• Priority access to federal procurement
• Added benefits supporting business growth

MoHRE stated that the UAE’s strong labour market performance, combined with a large pool of candidates on Nafis, positions the private sector to meet these national targets.