AUS hosts nationwide meeting of engineering deans and leaders to chart the future of UAE engineering education

American University of Sharjah (AUS) hosted the UAE Engineering Deans Meeting on campus, bringing together 21engineering deans and leaders from 18 universities across the UAE to collectively reimagine how we educate the next generation of engineers and computer scientists, enhancing research impact, driving curriculum modernization, and ensuring graduates are ready to lead in artificial intelligence, sustainability, advanced manufacturing and digital transformation, in service of a knowledge-based, sustainable and technologically advanced economy.

“The UAE today is as a regional and global hub for quality higher education. Many of our universities now rank among the top institutions in the QS World University Rankings, reflecting a shared commitment to excellence, education, research and impact. At the same time, engineering education faces challenges and extraordinary opportunities. This meeting lets us share experiences and best practices, coordinate our collective efforts and deepen collaboration so we can deliver graduates who lead industry and advance the national innovation agenda,” said Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the AUS College of Engineering.

Focus areas and outcomes

The working agenda centered on three priority themes shaped by advance input from participants.

Accreditation and quality under the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) Outcomes-Based Framework: Universities must set clear learning outcomes, align teaching and assessment to them and show ongoing improvement. The group will use one working team, push for a national key performance indicator (KPI) dashboard and clarify which KPIs fit undergraduate and graduate programs. They also want qualitative indicators for innovation, student engagement and societal impact.

Industry partnerships and graduate employability: Participants asked for clear IP rules in industry-funded research, better incentives for companies to fund projects and offer internships and stronger labor-market data to shape programs. Useful practices include departmental advisory boards, alumni engagement, professors of practice and short industry stints for faculty. They also suggested a national database of labs and co-hosted engineering–industry forums with professional bodies.

External funding and research sustainability: Institutions aim to rely less on tuition by growing industry sponsorships, philanthropy and collaborative grants supported by shared national research infrastructure. They stressed pathways that turn capstone projects and research into startups. Next steps include faculty training in applied research and commercialization, cross-institutional appointments and industry sabbaticals and exploring national co-funding for applied research and venture incubation.

Representation from across the UAE

The meeting welcomed representatives from the University of Sharjah, Heriot-Watt University Dubai, Middlesex University Dubai, Abu Dhabi University, American University of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates University, Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, Ajman University, Zayed University, Al Ain University, Manipal Academy of Higher Education – Dubai Campus, New York University Abu Dhabi, University of Birmingham Dubai, The British University in Dubai, American University in Dubai, Higher Colleges of Technology and University of Dubai.

From AUS, attendees included Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor; Dr. Matthias Ruth, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost; Dr. Fadi Aloul, Dean of the College of Engineering; and College of Engineering associate deans Dr. Assim Sagahyroon (Undergraduate Studies), Dr. Lotfi Romdhane (Graduate Studies) and Dr. Mehdi Ghommem (Research, Innovation and Outreach).

“I am honored by the presence of engineering deans from several UAE universities attending the Engineering Deans Meeting. Through our collective efforts, we are not only elevating engineering education but also fostering innovation that positions the UAE as a global leader in technology and sustainable development,” said Dr. Wathiq Mansoor, Dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Dubai.

Next steps

Participants agreed to maintain regular communication through a dedicated online channel, compile a joint set of recommendations for the CAA and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and reconvene in 2026 to review progress on the agreed actions.