The Middle East Supplement
The Gulf’s Power Play
Strategic policies, global partnerships and innovation are shaping the region’s education hubs - Qatar and the UAE.
By Gauri Kohli
“Their success lies in the diversity of their models. Neither Qatar nor the UAE follows a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, they have experimented with a range of initiatives."
“No university in the UAE or Qatar can rely solely on past reputations or the prestige of their home campuses. The higher education sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and the only way to survive and thrive is through continuous innovation and a commitment to lifelong learning.”
Besides being an academic pursuit, higher education is a strategic asset. In today’s world, universities are emerging as more than just centres of learning - they are engines of global influence and economic progress.
This is more evident in the Gulf, where Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are fiercely competing to establish themselves as leading education hubs. Moving beyond traditional education expansion, both nations are adopting ambitious strategies—partnering with top global institutions, executing progressive policies and fostering innovation—to position themselves as knowledge-based economies.
QS data indicates that universities in the region have strengthened their academic and research reputation, along with their global brand recognition. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, 81 universities from the Middle East were featured, with six countries seeing an increase in ranked institutions since 2022.
As they draw top academic talent, these initiatives strengthen both regional influence and soft power. However, challenges such as cultural integration, sustainability and global competition remain. The key question is: can Qatar and the UAE sustain their progress and reshape the future of higher education in the region?
Strategic goals and policy shifts
Qatar and the UAE have transitioned from capacity-building to regional leadership in higher education in recent years. The UAE hosts 60 internationally renowned university campuses, contributing millions of dollars to the economy and boosting the country’s foreign currency inflows.
Both countries have developed distinctive ecosystems, attracting some of the best universities in the world and also creating their own institutions, which not only serve as providers of education and lifelong learning but also as powerhouses for research.
“They have shaped a landscape where public investment and private capital drive centers of excellence, supported by policies and frameworks that attract talent while enhancing their own capabilities,” says Professor Jairo Lugo-Ocando, Dean of the College of Communication at the University of Sharjah.
The result, says Prof Lugo-Ocando, has been the creation of spaces for learning that are increasingly appealing for researchers, scholars and students. “Their success lies in the diversity of their models. Neither Qatar nor the UAE follows a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, they have experimented with a range of initiatives,” he adds.
Experts acknowledge that both nations are increasingly aware of the need for autonomy of their higher education institutions in making their own decisions and this is steering them towards becoming regional international education hubs.
Qatar and the UAE have universities from all over the world operating on their soil and they are all part of a framework that rewards knowledge creation and international professional standards. Prof Lugo-Ocando, who was formerly the Director of Graduate Studies and Executive Education at Northwestern University in Qatar, says: “A decade ago, the higher education sector was heavily regulated. Today, universities have far greater flexibility to develop their own responses and adapt to industry and student needs.
“Qatar’s Education City and Sharjah’s University City exemplify distinct yet converging approaches toward building a world-class education ecosystem. While some areas still require review, the progress achieved in a short span is remarkable.”
Dr Wisam KH Abdul Jabbar, Assistant Professor at the College of Humanities and Social Science, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, notes that achieving regional leadership necessitates establishing international ties. He highlights Education City in Qatar as a portal for attracting international faculty and launching unique regional programs. “The aim is to create intercultural synergies while integrating local culture as an essential part of regional deliverables,” he says.
Dr Nidal Al Haj Sleiman, Research Officer at the Middle East Centre, London School of Economics and Political Science, observes that the last two decades have witnessed significant shifts in higher education strategies and impact in Qatar and the UAE.
“Both have positioned themselves as leaders in regional higher education and secured global attention due to their growing organisational and human capital as well as the resources allocated to their institutions and research centres,” she says. .
The ambitious national visions and national education strategies in both States focus on educational development, innovation and research culture, and aspire to shift—gradually—into intellectual economies. “These national strategies have been embedded within policy texts and discourse and were translated into a series of mechanisms through which improvement of higher education sector was remarkable, despite significant challenges,” notes Dr Sleiman.
Partnerships with global institutions
The partnerships between Qatar and the UAE with Western universities have been instrumental in attracting a diverse body of students and faculty. Experts say, the key is that these partnerships are not limited to the branches or campuses of Western universities but also include collaborations of many other types.
For example, points out Prof Lugo-Ocando, the University of Sharjah has established a dual degree with the University of Barcelona in media entrepreneurship, which is attracting international students. “This success stems from the partnership’s strong industry involvement, allowing students to launch their own companies in an environment that fosters innovation,” he explains.
“In Qatar, we see both models at play—Western universities operating independently and Qatar University engaging in collaborative programs. In my view, sustainability is key; programs must go beyond financial investment and be built on tangible, meaningful work that makes collaboration beneficial for all parties involved,” says Prof Lugo-Ocando.
Education City hosts Hamad Bin Khalifa University and prestigious institutions like Carnegie Mellon, Georgetown, Northwestern, Texas A&M, VCUarts, and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. HEC Paris in Qatar offers 58 programmes, drawing diverse faculty and expertise.
Dr Abdul Jabbar points out that the competitiveness of admissions to branch campuses reflects the success of these partnerships. “The rigorous screening process and high entry standards reflect their status as educational landmarks. Despite steep tuition fees, these institutions continue to attract students, driven by their unwavering commitment to quality. A key factor in this appeal is the exceptional faculty they recruit, ensuring that international education standards remain consistently high,” notes Dr Abdul Jabbar.
Challenges ahead
Despite successes, these institutions face challenges in maintaining their regional presence. One significant concern is the potential erosion of cultural identity among local youth. Dr. Abdul Jabbar points out that balancing international education models, which often rely heavily on Western paradigms, with the preservation of cultural heritage is crucial. He suggests integrating cultural practices and social values into the curriculum to mitigate this tension, reclaiming liberal arts as part of the Arab-Islamic intellectual tradition.
“Universities in the region must recognize that many international models are deeply rooted in Western paradigms. To bridge this gap, integrating cultural practices and social values into the curriculum is essential, ensuring its relevance to the region,” says Dr. Abdul Jabbar.
A recent study by Dr. Abdul Jabbar examines the challenge Arab Gulf countries face in balancing international education with cultural and traditional values amid the influence of Western institutions and study abroad models. Titled “Towards a ‘Study at Home’ Education in the Arab Gulf Region: Reterritorializing the ‘Study Abroad’ Model,” the paper explores the cultural and epistemological impact of internationalized education on Gulf Arab identity. It was published in the Journal of Gulf Studies (January 2024).
The challenge for these nations lies in maintaining global competitiveness—both in the quality of education they provide and the knowledge they generate. “No university in the UAE or Qatar can rely solely on past reputations or the prestige of their home campuses. The higher education sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and the only way to survive and thrive is through continuous innovation and a commitment to lifelong learning,” says Prof Lugo-Ocando.
While universities in Qatar and the UAE have become desirable destinations for international students, this is particularly true for students from the Middle East and the Global South due to the rising tide of anti-immigrant policies and Islamophobia in traditional educational destinations, says Dr Sleiman. “However, the cost of a university degree in both countries is still a barrier to many students who are not able to afford the fees and basic living conditions. Although there is a set of offerings in the form of scholarships, this is still limited,” she adds.
Economic and geopolitical influence
It is interesting to understand how these education hubs contribute to economic diversification and soft power strategies in the Gulf region.
Prof. Lugo-Ocando highlights the UAE as a leader in real-time knowledge transfer, citing Microsoft's $1.5 billion AI investment with G42, made possible by local universities supplying talent and expertise. He notes that Saudi Arabia and others are adopting similar strategies, but their success in economic diversification will depend on a dynamic, responsive, and socially engaged higher education sector, as seen in Qatar and the UAE.
The higher education sector has played a key role in diversifying the economies of both states. Local universities are building their own legacy through global partnerships, rigorous research, and academic platforms for regional scholars. “The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Qatar University, Khalifa University, and UAE University exemplify this progress, setting a strong academic model for the region,” says Dr Sleiman.
Future outlook
The UAE and Qatar thrive on diversity, attracting investors, researchers, and students worldwide, creating immense growth potential. Experts emphasize that policies fostering lifelong learning and innovation in teaching and research are key to progress. “Universities should be spaces for experimentation, where ideas emerge, and students develop their own initiatives—whether a business or a charity,” says Prof Lugo-Ocando. Expanding investment in higher education and research for both citizens and non-citizens will enhance soft power, geopolitical influence, and global impact.