Artificial Intelligence a Mandatory Requirement at UAEU Starting from the Fall Semester of the 2025/2026 Academic Year

As part of the United Arab Emirates University’s vision to prepare a generation capable of facing future challenges, and in continuation of its efforts to enhance the educational, academic, and research system, UAEU has announced the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses as a core component of the mandatory university requirements for all students across various academic disciplines. This decision supports the University’s Artificial Intelligence Agenda 2025–2031 and will be implemented starting from the Fall semester of the 2025/2026 academic year.

H.E. Prof. Ahmed Al Raeesi, Acting Vice Chancellor of the United Arab Emirates University, affirmed that the integration of AI courses within the university’s requirements represents a strategic step in promoting UAEU’s position as a leading academic institution in higher education and research. He added that this initiative reflects the University’s commitment to delivering modern, future-oriented education that aligns with national strategies and global technological developments. It will also enable students to acquire essential skills that prepare them to deal with future digital and electronic challenges, thus allowing them to actively engage with advanced technologies and use them in service of the community and national development.

Dr. Fekri Kharbash, Acting Dean of the College of Information Technology and CEO of Artificial Intelligence at UAEU, emphasized that the inclusion of AI courses as a university requirement is a critical move to develop students’ skills in this rapidly evolving field. He explained that this step is part of the University’s Artificial Intelligence Agenda 2025–2031, which aims to incorporate AI concepts and applications across academic disciplines. This approach enhances the overall learning experience and contributes to preparing a generation that is capable of adapting to rapid changes in sectors led by modern technologies, especially artificial intelligence.

This initiative ensures that all university students, regardless of their field of study, receive foundational knowledge in AI and build their capacity to deal with modern technologies that have become integral to key sectors. The University will offer four distinct introductory courses that address AI concepts and their applications in different areas. These courses are designed to align with the students’ academic disciplines and future career interests. The courses include: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, AI Fundamentals and Applications, AI in Engineering, and AI in Medicine. Students will select one of these courses based on their major and aspirations.

These courses have been developed by a distinguished group of faculty members at the University. The Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course provides a comprehensive overview of AI concepts and is open to all students. It covers the history and development of AI, its societal impacts, and its applications in areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, and automation. The course also explores how AI is used in various sectors including healthcare, finance, and the creative industries, while also addressing ethical issues such as bias, privacy, and responsible AI use.

The AI Fundamentals and Applications course focuses on foundational AI concepts and practical implementation, including machine learning, computer vision, robotics, and natural language processing. It highlights AI use cases in smart cities, healthcare, and cybersecurity, and includes hands-on learning opportunities through case studies and lab-based exercises.

The AI in Engineering course will focus on applications of AI in various engineering domains, including automation, system optimization, and predictive analysis. Meanwhile, the AI in Medicine course provides students with insight into how AI is transforming healthcare. Topics include AI in medical imaging, diagnosis, drug development, personalized medicine, and the use of big data in clinical decision-making. The course will also examine ethical, legal, and professional challenges related to implementing AI in clinical practice.

These efforts underscore the University’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and advanced education that keeps pace with the evolving digital landscape. By ensuring that every student receives training in AI technologies and gains an understanding of their impact on different sectors.