UAEU ranks first in UAE and among top 250 global universities

October 10, 2025 / 11:36 AM

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has achieved a remarkable academic milestone by ranking first in the UAE and placing within the 201–250 category globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026. It shares the top national position with Khalifa University and Abu Dhabi University, underscoring UAEU’s distinguished status as a world-class academic and research institution.

Commitment to sustainable academic development

His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the UAE President and Chancellor of UAEU, affirmed that this achievement reflects the university’s sustainable approach to developing its academic and research environment. It also embodies UAEU’s vision to be a leading global scientific and intellectual hub, contributing to building a knowledge-based society and shaping the nation’s future.

Advancing education and innovation

His Excellency stated:

“UAEU’s leading position in global rankings is the result of its steadfast commitment to the vision of our wise leadership, which has made education and scientific research the cornerstone of the nation’s progress and prosperity. Over the past years, the university has worked to build an integrated academic system that fosters innovation, graduates highly qualified national talent capable of driving comprehensive development, and produces globally impactful research that helps find sustainable solutions to future challenges.”

He added that UAEU’s advancement in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 reaffirms its pivotal role in strengthening the UAE’s position on the global academic stage and reflects the collective efforts of its faculty, researchers, students, and strategic partners.

About the times higher education ranking

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings is among the most prestigious global ranking systems. It assesses universities based on comprehensive and rigorous criteria, including the quality of teaching (learning environment and faculty qualifications), research excellence (volume, impact, and citations), innovation and knowledge transfer through industry collaboration, and international reputation (diversity of students, faculty, and partnerships). It also evaluates the research environment and funding, highlighting the level of institutional support for researchers and the robustness of each university’s research infrastructure.