Heriot-Watt University Dubai receives initial institutional licensure by UAE MoE

Heriot-Watt University Dubai has been granted initial institutional licensure by the UAE’s Ministry of Education (MoE) through the Commission for Academic Accreditation (or CAA).

The CAA is the UAE federal government’s quality assurance agency for higher education, and is designed to assure prospective students, their families, employers, and other stakeholders that licensed institutions and their programmes meet levels of academic quality consistent with current international practice.

Professor Dame Heather McGregor, provost and vice principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai said, “The granting of initial institutional licensure is a milestone for Heriot-Watt University in Dubai. It is an integral part of our strategic plan to further build on our success and commitment to this region, as well as acknowledgement of the high quality and standards of teaching and learning that the university has upheld here for the last 16 years.

“For graduates, it means that, once programme accreditation is complete, they will be able to pursue further degrees in CAA-accredited universities if they choose. It will also enable them to work with greater ease in government and government-related sectors across the Gulf and wider MENA region.”

Licensure review

As part of the licensure review, the external review team from the MoE commended Heriot-Watt University Dubai’s efforts on several fronts, including the globally integrated nature of the university; its stringent governance and quality assurance processes; the student-centered approach and exemplary engagement of students as co-creators of their learning environment; and the modern, digitally enabled campus in Dubai Knowledge Park.

The university will now begin the process to accredit academic programmes.

Milestone for @HWUDubai having been granted Initial Institutional Licensure by the @MOEUAEofficial‘s Commission for Academic Accreditation! This is an acknowledgment of the high quality and standards of teaching and learning that we have upheld in Dubai for the last 16 years. pic.twitter.com/7WGxWJVSyU

— Heriot-Watt Dubai (@HWUDubai) February 6, 2023

Long-standing relationship with the UAE

Heriot-Watt University Dubai established its presence in the UAE in 2005, as the first university to open a campus in Academic City, Dubai and started with an initial offering of three programmes and a student population of 120.

Today, it is home to approximately 4,000 students enrolled across some 92 programmes and is one of the top UK universities in Dubai for business and links with industry, with a five-star rating by the KHDA three years in a row.

In November 2022, Heriot-Watt University Dubai  announced the appointment of Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg, chairperson and MD of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group (ESAG), as the pro-chancellor of the University in Dubai.

She is the honorary head of the university in Dubai and will represent the university in a ceremonial and ambassadorial capacity, including in the conferment of degrees.

Dr Al Gurg has been the MD of the Dubai-based business conglomerate Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group for over three decades and assumed the position of its chairperson earlier this year.

She is also  the founder of the Dubai Business Women Council and; Board member of the Dubai Chamber and Dubai Women’s Association. She is also on the advisory board of Coutts Bank, the wealth division of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

Read: Heriot-Watt University Dubai names Dr Raja Easa Al Gurg as pro-chancellor

“As the first British university set up in the UAE, Heriot-Watt has continued to grow and provide world-class education to its students, and we look forward to accomplishing more with Dr Al Gurg’s leadership and support,” said McGregor on the occasion.