Half of University Seats in Dubai to Be Reserved for International Students; Sheikh Hamdan Unveils Comprehensive Education Strategy

Dubai : A new decision has been made to allocate 50% of university seats in Dubai to international students, including expatriates. The move was approved during a Dubai Executive Council meeting chaired by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The council also gave the green light to a comprehensive education strategy aimed at transforming the education landscape in the emirate. By 2033, Dubai aims to allocate half of all university seats to international students.

The initiative will be led by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. As part of the strategy, new student visas and international scholarships will be introduced to attract global talent.

According to Sheikh Hamdan, the objective is to position Dubai as a top global destination for the world’s best students. The contribution of the education sector to the local GDP is expected to reach AED 5.6 billion as a result of these efforts.

Currently, 37 international university branches operate in Dubai. With the implementation of the new policy, the number of higher education institutions is projected to rise to 70, the Council noted.