Job hunting in the UAE or hiring new talent? A new digital initiative is streamlining the process of verifying academic qualifications, making it faster and more reliable for both employers and job seekers.

Launched by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), the Academic Qualification Verification Project allows private sector employers to verify university degrees electronically,  whether earned in the UAE or abroad.

The service is part of a broader push to modernise employment services, reduce paperwork, and ensure fair, transparent hiring in the UAE’s competitive job market.

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A Step Towards Smart Government

The initiative supports the UAE’s broader digital transformation goals, helping to:

• Cut down on bureaucracy
• Deliver faster government services
• Ensure a skilled and qualified workforce
• Strengthen the UAE’s position as a global hub for investment and talent

“This is part of our effort to build a more efficient labour market,” said Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary of Labour Market and Emiratisation Operations at MoHRE.
“By integrating this system into work permit applications, we ensure qualifications are legitimate and hiring is based on verified skills.”

The project also ties into the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme, designed to simplify public services and enhance customer satisfaction.

Who Can Use the Service?

The new verification system currently applies to:

• Private sector employers
• Job seekers with degrees from outside the UAE
• Individuals classified under skill levels 1 to 4 according to the National Qualifications Framework

Users can access the service via:

• MoHRE’s website
• Smart app
• Business service centres across the UAE

A one-time fee will apply for verification.

In the next phase, the service will also include degrees issued inside the UAE for the same skill levels.

Why This Matters

According to Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Undersecretary at MoHESR, the service ensures the authenticity and credibility of academic qualifications, helping industries hire the right people for the right jobs.
It also:

• Reduces fraudulent job applications
• Promotes reliable hiring practices
• Supports national competitiveness
• Aligns education outcomes with labour market needs

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is also supporting the digital infrastructure behind the project.

Abu Dhabi is set to introduce the region’s first dual-certified Bachelor of Arts in Video Game Design through a partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi University (ADU), and leading French institution Rubika.

Launching in the upcoming academic year, the programme will offer students a globally competitive curriculum in game design, combining academic training with industry integration.

ADU will host the course on campus, Rubika will provide curriculum oversight and faculty training, and DCT Abu Dhabi will facilitate industry connections and fund up to 140 scholarships over six years.

The initiative supports Abu Dhabi’s strategy to grow its creative industries and build a talent pipeline for the region’s expanding gaming sector. Through Abu Dhabi Gaming, students will also have access to internships, mentorships, and partnerships with local studios

Dubai’s private schools will not face official inspections during the 2025–26 academic year, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced.

The decision applies to all private schools in the emirate, except those in their third year of operation, which will still go through a full inspection.

KHDA said the move is part of a new approach to improving education, allowing schools to focus more on collaboration, reflection, and ongoing development.

While there won’t be full inspections, targeted visits will continue. These will focus on specific areas related to education quality and will be guided by feedback from parents, students, and teachers, as well as the goals of the Education 33 strategy.

“Dubai’s private schools have shown great resilience, innovation, and care for students,” said Fatma Ibrahim Belrehif, CEO of the Education Quality Assurance and Compliance Agency at KHDA.

“This break from inspections gives us a chance to rethink how we define and support quality education.”

Schools will still be required to carry out external benchmark assessments to measure student progress. They will also continue submitting regular updates through their self-evaluation forms (SEF).

KHDA said these steps will help ensure that education remains high-quality and aligned with national goals, even without formal inspections for a year.