Under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the Education and Human Development and Community Council, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research launched the 'UAE Higher Education Award' — a national initiative aimed at honouring institutions, individuals, and partners who contribute to advancing excellence and innovation in the higher education and scientific research sector in the country.
On the occasion, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that investing in people is the cornerstone of the UAE's vision for the future, and that higher education is one of the key drivers for enhancing the country's competitiveness and consolidating its position in the economy of the future.
He said: "The higher education stage represents an essential pillar in preparing national competencies and enhancing individuals' readiness to enter the labour market and contribute effectively to society. It supports the country's comprehensive development journey and strengthens its competitiveness at both the regional and global levels."
"From this standpoint, the UAE Higher Education Award has been launched to honour the models and institutions that contribute to developing the higher education and scientific research ecosystem, entrenching a culture of excellence and innovation, developing innovative solutions, and encouraging initiatives that achieve a sustainable impact and support national priorities, as well as enhancing the country's readiness for the future," he added.
Sheikh Abdullah further stated: "The future of nations is measured by their ability to develop their human capital and harness the outputs of their universities to achieve a sustainable economic and knowledge impact. Through this award, we seek to highlight experiences that succeed in transforming knowledge into value and scientific research into practical applications."
"And in strengthening the partnerships that link higher education to vital sectors, thereby contributing to preparing generations capable of leading global transformations and creating opportunities."
For his part, His Excellency Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said: "The launch of the UAE Higher Education Award comes at a stage during which the higher education system in the country is witnessing qualitative transformations, defined by enhancing the quality of outputs, entrenching a culture of performance and innovation, and maximising the national impact of higher education and scientific research."
"Our goal is not limited to keeping pace with the best global practices, but rather to building a leading national model for higher education that stems from the country's priorities and invests in knowledge, research, and innovation as key drivers of sustainable development."
His Excellency Al Awar added: "The award embodies our vision for an advanced higher education system defined by leadership — a system that anticipates the future with readiness, invests in people by empowering pioneers, and measures its success by the sustainable national impact it achieves. Through this national initiative, we aspire to entrench a culture of sustained excellence across all elements of the system."