UAE university enrolment hits decade high as AI changes skills needed for jobs
More than 57,000 new students enrolled at UAE universities and higher education institutions during the 2024-25 academic year, the highest intake recorded in a decade, as universities rethink how they prepare graduates for a job market increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. The figure, covering 66 reporting higher education institutions, represents a 13 per cent increase compared with…
During the 2024-25 academic year, over 57,000 new students enrolled at UAE universities and higher education institutions, marking the highest intake in a decade, according to the source. This represents a 13% increase compared to the previous year. As AI increasingly shapes the job market, universities are adapting their programs to prepare graduates for new skills needed.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts that 41% of workers’ core skills in the UAE will change by 2030. Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University (ADU), noted that today’s students seek more than just a degree; they expect flexible, technology-driven, globally connected learning aligned with future career opportunities.
AI is transforming education at these institutions, where students need to learn both how to use AI and when to question its results. Critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making are becoming essential alongside technical skills. Internships, research, competitions, industry projects, and workplace experiences should also be integrated into university education to give students practical experience and help them understand real-world applications of classroom knowledge.
Universities are also introducing new degrees aligned with growing sectors in the UAE, such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, renewable energy, fintech, digital media, video game design, public health, psychology, and medical laboratory sciences. With over 31,000 students graduated and more than 25,800 expatriate students enrolled, Aouad emphasized that successful universities by 2030 will combine academic excellence with agility to prepare graduates for careers that may not yet exist.
The UAE ranks among the world’s top 20 for future-ready education, and AI skills can potentially earn workers up to 92% higher salaries, as reported by PwC. The UAE Ministry of Higher Education is driving an AI-powered digital transformation to streamline student and university services.
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