Abu dhabi: The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has established the Advisory Committee for Higher Education and Future Skills, chaired by Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The newly formed body is one of the subcommittees of the Higher Education Committee of the Education, Human Development and Community Council.
According to Emirates News Agency, the move reflects the Ministry's ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional collaboration and advance the development of the higher education sector in the UAE. The committee aims to build a flexible and forward-looking education system capable of meeting national development priorities and keeping pace with the rapid transformation of the global labour market.
Dr. Al Awar emphasized the importance of collaboration with national companies, the private sector, and research institutes to develop a successful and sustainable higher education system. He highlighted the committee's role in enhancing graduates' qualifications, building their capacities, and preparing them to contribute to a competitive, knowledge-based economy. The committee's work will support a dynamic educational system that equips students with necessary skills for sustainable development.
The committee comprises academic leaders from UAE's higher education institutions and representatives from key economic sectors such as technology, industry, energy, health, tourism, and investment. This diverse membership aligns the higher education system with national development priorities.
During its first meeting at the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the committee reviewed the current state of higher education in the UAE and discussed its role in sector development. It also focused on enhancing global competitiveness through collaboration with international institutions and addressed the performance of UAE-based HEIs in global rankings.
A pilot initiative was launched to integrate artificial intelligence in higher education, and specialised working groups were formed to oversee the implementation of the committee's initiatives. The committee will propose higher education development plans aligned with general education and assess HEIs' performance to offer recommendations for improvement.
The committee's responsibilities include fostering collaboration between HEIs and the industrial sector, enhancing coordination with research councils, and organising scientific events. These efforts aim to boost the global competitiveness of the UAE's higher education and scientific research sectors, aligning them with the country's strategic objectives like building a knowledge economy and developing national human capital.