Throughout our short history we have helped shape our country and wider region through
research and the dissemination of knowledge. We strive to preserve our national heritage,
while pursuing innovate solutions and promoting academic excellence.
1976
Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahayan, the first President of the UAE, understood that
the future of any nation depends upon the education of its young people. He dreamed
of a national flagship university that would provide students with a world class education
and supply the knowledge and the skilled workers necessary to support the national
economy, while helping to solve some of the nation’s most pressing problems through
research. In 1976 his dream became a reality when the United Arab Emirates University
(UAEU) was established.
1977
In 1977 the university opened with four faculties. These were the Faculty of Humanities
and Social Sciences, known then as the Faculty of Arts; the Faculty of Science, the
Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Business and Economics, known then as the
Faculty of Administrative and Political Science.
1978
The Faculty of Shari'ah and Law was established.
1980
The Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering were established.
1981
The first student cohort graduated. This included 192 male and 50 female students,
some of whom now hold key leadership position in the country.
1986
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is established to improve medical services
in the UAE, to reduce dependence on expatriate physicians and to begin a research
program relevant to the needs of the country. Today, the College of Medicine and Health
Sciences is ranked among the top medical schools in the Middle East.
1991
The first Master's Degree Program is established in the Faculty of Science. It is
an interdisciplinary program in environmental sciences.
1998
The College of Engineering receives ABET accreditation and the university established
the Continuing Education Center as another means of serving the community.
1999
The College of Business and Economics receives AACSB accreditation.
2000
The university establishes the Faculty of Information Technology and the Research
Affairs Unit to manage and promote scientific research.
2003
English becomes the language of instruction.
2006
UAEU is placed among the top 10 research universities in the Islamic world by the
SESRTCIC, OIC Research Center and ‘Smart Classrooms’ are introduced.
2007
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences receives the Hamdan Award for Best Medical
College in the Arab World.
2008
UAEU is chosen by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI) to be the second
overseas venue for examinations in the Faculty of Occupational Medicine.
2009
The first Ph.D program is established.
2010
The university moves to a new state-of-the-art campus situated in Al Ain. The 80 hectare
campus is a showcase of modern architecture, high-tech laboratories, specialized research
centers, cutting-edge IT infrastructure and twenty-first century classroom technology.
2011
UAEU ranks 338 in the QS World University rankings. The highest rankings to date.
The College of IT receives ABET Accreditation.
2012
Mobile learning is introduced and UAEU ranks in the top 50 world universities that
were founded within the past 50 years (QS World University Rankings).
2013
University College is established. It includes three programs: The University Foundation
Program; the Student Academic Success Program and the General Education Program. This
assists students with the transition from high school to university, enhances student
engagement, integrates academic and co-curricular programs, connects students with
resources and fosters both independent and lifelong learning.
2014
UAEU received institutional accreditation from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education
and Scientific Research.
2016
UAEU receives international institutional accreditation from the WASC (Senior College
and University Commission WSCUC).
