UAE university enrolment rises 13% as AI changes skills needed for future jobs
More than 57,000 new students enrolled in UAE universities during the 2024–25 academic year, marking a 13 per cent increase compared to the previous year and the highest intake recorded in a decade. The figures, reported by 66 higher education institutions across the country, come as universities face growing pressure to prepare students for a job market being reshaped by artificial intelligence…
More than 57,000 fresh students enrolled in UAE universities for the 2024-25 academic year, representing a 13 percent rise from the previous year and the highest intake in a decade. Sixty-six educational institutions across the country reported these figures. The surge reflects the rising demand to equip students with skills relevant to a job market undergoing a transformation driven by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 predicts that around 41 percent of workers' core skills in the UAE will evolve by 2030, indicating that today's university students might step into a job market with different prerequisites than they anticipate. Prof. Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, stated that students today seek more than just a degree.
"Today's students are looking for much more than a degree," he pointed out. He elaborated that students now consider factors such as job prospects, wellbeing, technology, industry collaborations, and practical experience when selecting a university. With AI becoming an integral part of various sectors, Aouad emphasized that universities must teach students to utilize technology responsibly while cultivating skills that are difficult to automate.
These include critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making. He stressed that students need to learn not only how to employ AI but also when to scrutinize it, challenge it, and apply sound judgment to its outputs. To bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, Abu Dhabi University has launched programs focusing on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, renewable energy, financial technology, digital media, video game design, and public health.
Additionally, the university has introduced ADU Connect, an AI-driven platform to streamline various student services. Since its inception, Abu Dhabi University has conferred degrees to over 31,000 students and welcomed more than 25,800 international students.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
