Employment in UAE: Announcement of new system to recognize educational credentials issued abroad – News

The program eliminates several criteria and conditions in the previous system, including the need to demonstrate prior degrees and minimum physical presence requirements

The UAE Ministry of Education has announced a new system that will replace the University Qualification Equivalency scheme for degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions (HEIs). The system recognizes university certificates issued outside the UAE.

The new “University Credentials Recognition” system will help individuals continue their education or apply for jobs in the UAE.

The plan removes some of the criteria and conditions in the previous system. These include the need to demonstrate previous degrees and minimum physical presence requirements. It also removes other conditions, such as credit transfer restrictions and distance learning credit caps.

“Certificates are now also allowed entirely through distance learning (or e-learning). These renewals are required for all programs except for certificates related to professional occupations such as engineering, medicine and law,” the ministry said in a statement.

Accreditation criteria now include categories of higher education institutions that issue certificates. “In other words, the lower the level of a higher education institution, the more conditions and requirements are required to obtain accreditation. For example, for a university ranked 1-200, it is enough to verify the validity of the certificate, and no other standards or conditions, except for certificates related to professional occupations.”

Credentials associated with certain professions are recognized as soon as their validity has been verified. Accreditation is granted without any additional conditions or criteria if the university is ranked 601 and above.

Education Minister Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi said the updated system aims to provide streamlined and adaptable services for students to complete their education or employment procedures. “Additionally, it simplifies the accreditation process while maintaining the UAE’s commitment to maintaining high-quality and credible educational standards.

“The Ministry of Education has adopted the new system after communicating and consulting with all relevant departments and taking into account student comments and suggestions on how to develop our existing services.

We are committed to ensuring that the new system takes into account the institutions’ international rankings and areas of expertise, and meets national and ministry standards. “