{
  "id": 15692522,
  "title": "Universities in UAE set sights high as student enrolment surges",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/universities-in-uae-set-sights-high-as-student-enrolment-surges-15692522",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-20T03:12:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/20/universities-in-uae-set-sights-high-as-student-enrolment-surges/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UAE universities are capitalising on the rising demand for higher education, as student enrolment numbers surge. At a recent education fair in Abu Dhabi, leading institutes unveiled plans to expand their offerings, attract more students, and bolster their international presence. The UAE saw a 15% increase in enrolled students to 218,000 in the 2025/26 academic year alone. Abu Dhabi University (ABU) plans to launch eight new undergraduate programmes at its Dubai campus, including areas such as artificial intelligence, engineering, international relations, law, and psychology. Meanwhile, the University of Sharjah and Emirates Aviation University have reported record-high admissions, with the former ranking best in the UAE for medicine and the latter experiencing a busy admission process, especially from international applicants. Liwa University has also witnessed significant growth, with both campuses being fully booked in various specialisations. The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to higher education through the launch of the UAE Higher Award for Education, aimed at recognising outstanding institutions and fostering a culture of excellence.",
  "summary": "Leading UAE universities are investing in the future as they seek to capitalise on growing demand for higher education studies in the country. Institutes unveiled expansion drives, new programmes and plans to attract more learners from across the Emirates and beyond at a flagship education fair in Abu Dhabi on Monday. The number of students enrolled at universities in the UAE reached 218,000 in…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Universities in UAE set sights high as student enrolment surges",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/universities-in-uae-set-sights-high-as-student-enrolment-surges",
        "published": "2026-10-20T03:12:38.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}