National Policy and Global Imperatives in the UAE Higher Education Landscape

This study examines the national and global context of educational policy changes in the United Arab Emirates. The study examines the current economic, political, and socio-cultural policy objectives framework, highlighting patterns and the overall picture of current higher education policy. The study’s design and methodological approaches were primarily based on secondary data analysis. The findings reveal how four key drivers of the Emiratisation policy agenda, in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, have impacted higher education in the UAE. Government policies in the UAE have strategically focused on Emiratisation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, ensuring a consistent supply of skilled graduates to meet national development goals. These policies have significantly improved the quality of higher education through four key drivers: quality, efficiency, motivation, and harmonisation. Expanding private schools, enhancing graduate competencies, and adopting machine learning technologies have further strengthened the higher education sector. This study's quantitative analysis of the post-secondary education system provides valuable insights and guides future advancements in the industry.