Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of Abu Dhabi University's Board of Trustees, has affirmed that the United Arab Emirates, guided and supported by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has succeeded in building an advanced education system that has placed UAE education at the forefront of international competitiveness and quality-of-life indices.
He stressed that investment in the individual represents the fundamental pillar of development and nation-building — a firmly established approach rooted in the school of thought of the founding leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace.
This came during his chairmanship of the Board of Trustees' first meeting for 2026, held in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fakhr Al Watan Office.
Also in attendance were Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamid, Chairman of the National Media Council; Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism's Heritage Authority; Mariam Eid Al Muhairi, Head of the Abu Dhabi Media Office; and Nasser Mohammed Al Mansoori, Undersecretary of the Diwan of the Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi in the Al Dhafra Region.
Also present were Dr Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi; Khadim Abdullah Al Darei, Adviser at the Diwan of the Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi in the Al Dhafra Region; Dr Ali Saeed bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of Abu Dhabi University's Board of Directors; Professor Ghassan Aouad, President of Abu Dhabi University; and Dr Hamad Al Adabi, Vice President of Abu Dhabi University for Artificial Intelligence and Operational Excellence.
Sheikh Hamdan commended the achievements of Abu Dhabi University, most notably its entry into the top 350 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2027, as well as its placement in the 201–250 band globally in the Times Higher Education ranking for teaching quality, scientific research, and sustainability.
He affirmed that these results reflect the level of academic excellence attained by higher education institutions in the country, and the ongoing support that the President of the State, may God protect him, gives to this vital sector.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that Abu Dhabi University will remain a distinguished national model in higher education, scientific research, and community service, and a source of pride for its contributions to human development and support for the journey of sustainable development in the UAE, under the continuous support of the wise leadership.
In a post on his account on the X platform, he said: "Education in the United Arab Emirates is not a conventional path, but a vision of a nation built on knowledge and flourishing through its people. During my chairmanship of the Abu Dhabi University Board of Trustees meeting, we reaffirm that investment in education is an investment in the future of the state, as the university continues to achieve academic and research milestones that strengthen the UAE's presence in advanced global indices."
The meeting reviewed the significant development in Abu Dhabi University's academic journey. The university now offers more than 65 academic programmes at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, covering vital disciplines including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced technology, health sciences, engineering, business administration, and the humanities.
The university has also witnessed an expansion in scientific research, with the number of publications rising to more than 1,100 research papers during 2025, alongside an increase in patents and a growing number of faculty members listed among the world's most influential scientists.