Dubai Unveils New Policies to Boost Education and Environmental Standards

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has endorsed a series of strategic policies and projects aimed at elevating Dubai’s standing as a global hub for academia, business, and sustainable development. These initiatives address higher education, career guidance, air quality, corporate dispute mediation, and governance in the construction sector.

Empowering Youth and Attracting Global Talent

During the meeting, also attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the critical role of youth in shaping the future. He stated, “Youth are the architects of the future, shaping it with their awareness, optimism, and openness to the world.” He highlighted Dubai’s commitment to empowering young people with knowledge and skills, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The ultimate goal is to establish Dubai as a premier destination for international students and a hotbed for innovation.

Sheikh Hamdan noted that Dubai currently hosts 37 international university branches and aims to attract more, aspiring to be among the world’s top 10 cities for students. This aligns with the objectives of the Education Strategy 2033 and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which seek to attract leading academic institutions and enhance research and development.

He congratulated recent secondary school graduates and extended well wishes to those pursuing further studies or embarking on their careers.

Key Initiatives Approved

Academic and Career Guidance Policy

A significant approval was the Academic and Career Guidance Policy in Dubai. This policy will provide enhanced career advice services to students in schools and universities, helping them identify career paths and transition smoothly into the workforce. It also fosters partnerships between educational institutions and businesses.

The policy, led by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), aims for ambitious targets:

• 90% of Emirati graduates finding employment within six months of graduation.
• 90% of the general student population in Dubai securing employment aligned with their field of study.
• 80% of education providers offering effective career advice services.
• 70% of graduates gaining entry into one of their top three university or career choices.

Additional initiatives under this policy include:

• The Dubai Framework for Academic Guidance and Career Readiness in Educational Institutions.
• New standards for career advice services and guidelines for schools and universities.
• Parent and student engagement programs.
• Information platforms on universities and the job market.
• Entrepreneurship programs and life skills camps.
• Partnerships with accredited local and international universities and training institutes.

Attracting Top Global Universities

To solidify Dubai’s position as a leading global center for higher education, The Executive Council approved a project spearheaded by the KHDA and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). This initiative envisions that by 2033, international students will constitute 50% of all university enrollments in the emirate, with the higher education sector contributing approximately AED5.6 billion to Dubai’s GDP.

The project aims for Dubai to host over 70 higher education institutions by 2033, including 11 ranked within the top 200 globally. Currently, Dubai boasts 37 international universities, with notable examples like Curtin University Dubai and University of Wollongong in Dubai (both in QS World University Rankings 2026 top 200), as well as the University of Birmingham Dubai (top 100) and the University of Manchester Dubai (top 50).

Key measures to achieve these goals include:

• Improvements to student visa systems.
• New international scholarships and work visas for graduates.
• Strategies to attract prestigious universities and promote impactful university clusters.
• Regulatory frameworks to ensure quality.
• A Higher Education Investment Fund and the Dubai Scientific Research Network.

Air Quality Strategy 2030

The Air Quality Strategy 2030 was approved to enhance public health and environmental sustainability. It aims to achieve clean air standards on 90% of the days by 2030. The strategy sets sector-specific targets and initiatives to reduce fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations to 35 micrograms per cubic meter, while also addressing other key pollutants such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ground-level ozone.

This strategy will be implemented by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority in collaboration with various entities, including Dubai Municipality, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the Supreme Council of Energy, Dubai Airports, the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, DP World, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Emirates Global Aluminum.

Dubai International Mediation Centre

To bolster Dubai’s legal infrastructure and attract foreign direct investment, The Executive Council approved the Dubai International Mediation Centre project. This initiative will offer cost-effective, efficient, and internationally recognized dispute resolution services, enhancing investor confidence and creating new jobs in mediation and arbitration. The project, co-developed by the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department and ADR Centre, will improve Dubai’s global competitiveness rankings.

Governance Policy for Government Construction Projects

Finally, the Governance Policy for Government Construction Projects, led by the Dubai Department of Finance, was approved. This policy aims to standardize procedures, enhancing transparency and reliability in the approval and implementation of government construction projects. It introduces a unified framework categorizing projects into three tiers based on cost: below AED200 million, between AED200–500 million, and above AED500 million.

This policy is expected to significantly improve planning related to the financial and economic impact of projects, direct fiscal resources towards priority goals, and ensure sustainable economic growth and agility. It aligns with the objective of increasing government spending from AED512 billion over the past decade to AED700 billion in the next decade, as part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. A five-year project portfolio will also be established to prioritize resources and ensure high-impact development.