The Foreword
From Ambition to Impact in Arab Higher Education
By Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director (AMESA), QS Quacquarelli Symonds
Across the Arab world, with half the population under the age of 25, education is no longer seen as an isolated sector but viewed as the very foundation of national and economic transformation. From the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to the ancient centres of learning in Levant and North Africa, universities now bridge heritage with innovation and drive the region’s economic and social renewal.
Over the past decade, Arab countries have transformed how education fits into national life. Universities are no longer distant institutions; they are places where young people see their future taking shape. The change is visible, either in stronger research impacting society, growing international partnerships, competitive academic landscape, and a renewed pride in excellence. Arab leaders have accelerated education reforms by improved institutional capacity and connected learning with skills and goals of their young populations.
As the QS Arab Region University Rankings 2026 are unveiled at the QS Arab Forum in Muscat on 16th October 2025, they serve not only as a measure of academic standing but also as a reflection of regional ambition combined with policy direction and global ambitions, with focused action. The rankings do more than list institutions – they tell a story of how Arab countries are rethinking higher education to compete internationally, attract the best academic talent – and empower and build their student population to learn and emulate from the best.
There has also been a noticeable return of the Arab diaspora, which are graduates of leading global universities, who are now joining domestic institutions, bringing with them international best practices and a shared ambition to build a globally competitive higher education system across the region.
A Shared Vision: Ambition Meets Reform
Arab nations have been incorporating higher education and research into their national vision plans for a while now. In Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt; education has expanded beyond classrooms and campuses and is being considered as a crucial tool for global competitiveness, and contribution to the GDP.
Each of these countries have a defined long-term national vision. These include the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, New Kuwait 2035, Oman Vision 2040, Qatar National Vision 2030, Saudi Vision 2030, and We the UAE 2030. Similarly to the GCC countries, Egypt has also aligned its education policies with long-term goals under Egypt Vision 2030.
These vision documents place human capital at the epicentre of national growth and reflect an awakening to a simple truth: the future will belong to those nations that can turn knowledge into action and capability.
Elsewhere, countries such as Jordan and Iraq are engaging and tapping on their global diaspora and learning from peers. They are starting to redefine how universities are seen and moving to envisioning them as contributors to national priorities and are reflecting on the balance between research productivity and real-world impact.
The strategies key priorities across all the Arab region countries can be outlined as:
· Quality and relevance, by ensuring universities prepare students for fast-changing economies.
· Research and innovation, by positioning academia as a key driver of discovery and development.
· Inclusion and employability, through expanding access while aligning learning with market needs.
In Bahrain, the Economic Vision 2030 and the Higher Education Strategy 2030 focus on international collaborations and research to drive a knowledge-based economy. Kuwait’s New Kuwait 2035 on the other hand aims to develop skilled citizens who can compete globally. Oman Vision 2040 prioritises inclusivity and lifelong learning, positioning education as a link between tradition and modernity.
Qatar and Saudi Arabia have made research and job readiness a key part of their national changes. Both countries are putting significant resources into programs that develop funding for research and giving universities more autonomy, which allows them to quickly adjust to rapidly changing market and technology needs.
We the UAE 2031 vision is changing the future of education through flexibility and digital innovation. Its ‘Forward Society’ pillar aims for a higher education that encourages lifelong learning, global competition and continuous adaptation.
These efforts have produced clear results across the Gulf. Universities are attracting international talents and employers, increasing research output, and expanding collaborations across borders. The GCC’s joint progress shows how vision led reform supported by investment and accountability can change the role of higher education in national development.
Beyond GCC region, similar change is unfolding in North Africa and Leavnt region in countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Jordan, and Morocco. These countries are implementing higher education as a building block for national development.
In Egypt higher education has become the key focus of the country’s Vision 2030. The government is focusing on increasing access, improving academic quality and increasing connection between universities and the larbour market. Primary emphasis has been placed on the development of ‘fourth generation universities’ that are designed to utilise research, innovation and entrepreneurship for connecting academic with opportunity. Egypt also established technical institutions that facilitates vocational and applied study, setting a framework for more collaboration and opportunities with global institutions.
Alegria has also stepped up in the efforts to advance its higher education sector. Through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, national programs are emphasising on innovation, employability and regional relevance so that universities output aligns with national development. Innovation centres and start-up incubators has been setting up in the universities, science and technology programs are being encouraged and collaboration with institutions globally have been pushed to foster research collaboration and mobility.0Where significant swings were found, however, was in both the Desirability and Affordability measures.
Reflecting Ambition: Insights from the QS Arab Rankings 2026
The 2026 edition of the QS Arab Region Rankings marks a record-breaking year with 296 institutions ranked. This surge reflects the region’s growing higher education landscape and its increasing diversity, with 20 countries represented and 75 institutions making their debut.
Algeria has surged to the top in terms of the number of ranked institutions, for the first time overtaking Egypt with 46 ranked universities including 32 new entrants making it the largest increase of any country.
A total of 80 institutions has moved up in the rankings, showing growing progress in the region, and the impact of the policies taking shape. King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) has become the top Arab university while Qatar University and Khalifa University follow suit.
The UAE, Oman, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon have shown major improvements. Morocco excels in teaching quality taking over the top 10 universities for Staff with PhD. Iraq on the other hand is leading in teaching resources with three universities securing in the top 10 for Faculty Student Ratio.
Internationalisation has become a key strength of the region. Qatar and the UAE stand out for their ability to attract diverse global talent, including faculty and students.
Transnational Education: Catalysts of Global Integration
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have taken a unique approach in terms of educational change through Transnational Education. By allowing global universities to operate and encouraging international collaborations, both countries have become regional education centres that combine global knowledge with local goals.
Today, the UAE hosts over 60 international branch campuses. Each campus contributes to the nation’s knowledge economy. Qatar’s Education City and UAE’s Khalifa University are examples of a planned effort to create top-notch learning environment. These areas focus on diversity, innovation, and collaboration.
What sets these ecosystems apart is their depth. Qatar and UAE go beyond just hosting foreign universities. They have developed joint degree programs, research partnerships, and industry linked curricula. These initiatives create a smoother connection between academia and the marketplace. As a result, both countries have increased their global academic presence while boosting their local institutions.
Looking Ahead: Towards an Arab Knowledge Renaissance
The QS Arab Region University Rankings 2026 showcases a region undergoing change. It is ambitious, competitive and becoming more global. New institutions are emerging and existing ones are moving upwards. This indicates a higher education sector that is not just keeping up with global trends but is also actively shaping its own future.
These rankings provide more than just a glimpse of institutional performance but highlight a region in transition. What unites Arab region today is not just ambition but also a sense of direction. Across borders, education is being redefined as the link between heritage and modernity, between national dreams and global importance.
The next decade will test how well the region can keep this momentum. It is essential that increasing international visibility leads to better academic quality, stronger research systems and fair access for all learners. Ongoing investment in research facilities, faculty training, and digital change will be important for maintaining progress.
The path ahead is clear. The Arab world is not merely following global trends; it is setting them. With vision driven leadership and smart reforms, universities in Arab are becoming more than just participants in global education. They are becoming leaders who shape the future of knowledge, innovation and opportunity.