UAEU Board of Trustees Holds Its First Meeting of 2026

The Board of Trustees of United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) convened its first meeting of 2026 under the chairmanship of His Excellency Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to His Highness the President of the UAE and Chancellor of UAEU.

During the meeting, His Excellency expressed his sincere appreciation to Board members and external advisors for their continued dedication to the University and their steadfast support in advancing UAEU’s strategic goals and institutional development.

Key Discussions and Presentations

Times Higher Education Subject Rankings

The Board reviewed a presentation on United Arab Emirates University’s performance in the Times Higher Education Subject Rankings 2026, which highlighted tangible progress across several academic disciplines. The University recorded notable improvements in Medical and Health, Education Studies, and Engineering, securing a global ranking amongst the top 175 in these fields, while maintaining its position in six additional subjects. The Board recognized these achievements as a clear indication of sustained academic advancement and anticipated further means to strengthen UAEU’s performance across key disciplines in the year ahead.

Research Achievements

The Board received a briefing on a major milestone in United Arab Emirates University’s research journey, marking UAEU as the first university in the United Arab Emirates to surpass 30,000 Scopus-indexed publications. This achievement reflects the University’s sustained advancement in research excellence, innovation, and global impact.

The briefing placed this milestone within the historical evolution of UAEU’s research output, tracing its progression from the University’s first research publication in 1978, to reaching 100 cumulative publications in 1988, exceeding 1,000 publications in 2018, and achieving its highest annual output to date with more than 3,500 publications in 2025.

2025 Strategic KPI Performance

The Board reviewed the annual analysis of the University’s performance against its strategic objectives, as measured through key performance indicators. The report highlighted sustained progress across priority areas, including student success, research and innovation, and societal impact. Notable improvements were recorded in on-time graduation rates, the international accreditation of academic programs, and the University’s standing in global research rankings. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to leveraging the KPI framework to support continuous improvement and inform strategic decision-making.

Key Decisions

Amendment to the BSc in Computer Engineering

The Board approved amendments to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, reflecting the growing importance of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. The revised program, to be renamed BSc in Computer and AI Engineering, aligns with evolving employer demand and national priorities under the UAE’s AI and digital transformation agenda. The updated curriculum modernizes core content and introduces AI-focused specializations to enhance graduate employability and sustain the program’s global competitiveness.

Closing Remarks

In his closing, His Excellency Zaki Nusseibeh expressed sincere appreciation for the Board members’ insights and reinforced their vital role in shaping the UAEU’s future.