Zayed University (ZU), established in 1998, is a prominent federal institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) dedicated to educational innovation and research. With campuses in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, ZU offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs to a student body exceeding 10,500 Emirati and international students.
Accreditation and Rankings
ZU holds accreditation from the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. In the 2024 QS World University Arab Rankings, the university was ranked 19th. Additionally, ZU achieved its highest position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, placing in the 501-600 band globally, marking a rise of over 300 places since 2021.
Academic Programs and Research
ZU comprises eight colleges:
- College of Arts and Creative Enterprises
- College of Business
- College of Communication and Media Sciences
- College of Education
- College of Humanities and Social Sciences
- College of Natural and Health Sciences
- College of Technological Innovation
- College of Interdisciplinary Studies
These colleges offer 17 undergraduate majors, 10 undergraduate minors, and 10 master's degrees. The university emphasizes research, supporting faculty and student initiatives through various programs, fellowships, and grants. In 2014, ZU invested approximately 4.6 million AED in internal research funds.
Technological Advancements
In 2019, ZU inaugurated the largest Bloomberg Finance Lab in the Middle East, featuring 64 Bloomberg Terminals across its Abu Dhabi and Dubai campuses. This facility provides students and faculty with access to real-time financial data and analytics, enhancing their readiness for the corporate workforce.
Data and AI Initiatives
In November 2024, ZU hosted the 7th Explorance Bluenotes MENA conference, focusing on the role of data analytics and artificial intelligence in higher education. The event attracted over 250 participants from more than 70 academic institutions across 12 countries. During the conference, ZU, Ajman University, and the American University of Sharjah signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a consortium aimed at enhancing institutional effectiveness through benchmarking and data-sharing.
Service Excellence
In 2021, ZU received two awards in the Global Star Rating Systems for Services (GSRR) for its website and mobile app service delivery channels. This recognition underscores the university's commitment to providing high-quality services to its stakeholders.
Strategic Vision
ZU is developing a five-year strategy for 2024-2029, building on the success of its previous research strategy. The new plan aims to maintain the university's research-intensive profile, support innovation, and establish centers of research excellence in areas such as Arabic and Islamic Civilization, Data Science and AI, Business and Economics, and interdisciplinary research addressing global challenges relevant to the UAE.
