admin The journey began in 2000 with the development of the Charter of Abu Dhabi University by his Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. After three years of planning – and following accreditation for all programs by what is now known as the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA), UAE Ministry of Education – they opened their doors to 1,000 students across two campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain.
They initially launched with their College of Business and College of Arts & Sciences. The College of Engineering was opened in 2007, with the College of Law expanding their portfolio in 2016. 2017/18 saw the launch of their new campuses in Dubai and Al Dhafra Region. With their program offerings, they strive to anticipate the future needs of the United Arab Emirates, as well as global trends.
The founders of the University envisioned an institution that would be among the best in the United Arab Emirates, the Arabian Gulf region, and the world. They are constantly evolving, building upon their strengths to realize this vision.
Abu’s Vision and Mission
Abu Dhabi University will be a leading university in the MENA region, with the vision to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to become the leaders of tomorrow.
At Abu Dhabi University, students are at the heart of everything they do. Their mission is to prepare graduates for dynamic careers through transformative world-class education, enriched by innovative and flexible programs, international accreditations, applied research, and impactful industry and community engagement.
A Largest University in UAE
Abu Dhabi University is the largest private university in the UAE and is committed to becoming the institution of choice for students across all Emirates and more widely in the region.
With four Colleges offering over 40 undergraduate and postgraduate programs, campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Al Dhafra Region, and multiple affiliations with globally renowned institutions, a UAE-wide, truly international quality education is guaranteed for all of their students.
Abu Dhabi University is committed to becoming the best institution of its kind in the region. We are a private, multi-campus University committed to meeting the education, skills and knowledge needs in the United Arab Emirates and neighboring countries through qualifications and standards that are respected across the world.
Well- Qualified International Faculty
Although young, the University is recognized as a world-class institution committed to excellence in teaching, student experience, research and corporate education. They are regularly featured in the QS rankings as among the best higher education institutions in the region. They hold prestigious international accreditations for the institution as a whole, for particular fields of provision, and for specific programs.
Being rated by QS as 3rd globally for international faculty and 10th for international students, they consider diversity to be among their key strengths. Alongside the well-established campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, they have launched a new campus in Dubai Knowledge Park and recently launched a teaching facility in the Al Dhafra region of the Abu Dhabi Emirate.
Established in 2003, Abu Dhabi University has over 7,500 students across its campuses and corporate programs. Structured into Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, Law and the University College, they offer undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, law, education, business and management, engineering and sciences, including to trainees and personnel of the UAE military.
Accreditation
University accreditation is a quality assurance process under which programs are evaluated by an external body. If required standards are met accredited status is granted. A qualification from an accredited university gives you a competitive advantage in the job market. Abu Dhabi University’s extensive accreditation credentials demonstrate robust quality standards at both a national and international level, guaranteeing you a qualification that is recognized globally.
Abu Dhabi University is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). In addition, our College of Business is both EQUIS and AACSB accredited, only 1% of business schools worldwide have this double accreditation.
At a program level, our College of Engineering has received international accreditation from the world-renowned ABET for many of its engineering programs, and the Bachelor of Architecture has received Part 1 validation from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Prof. Waqar Ahmad
Chancellor, Abu Dhabi University
Professor Ahmad is the Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University and an elected Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.
Professor Ahmad was previously the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic at Middlesex University, with responsibility for faculties, teaching and learning, research, knowledge transfer, academic quality and the University’s Campus in Dubai. Previously, he has been a Professor at the University of Leeds, held posts at Universities of York (Senior Research Fellow/Associate Professor), Bradford (various including Associate Professor) and University College London (Visiting Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health). His experiences as the Chief Social Scientist at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, UK, and as Vice Chairman of the North Bradford Primary Care Trust, reflect his keen interest in policy.
Professor Ahmad has taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervised and examined doctorates, and served on national and international panels on teaching and assessment. He was a member of the Strategic Advisory Committee on Research and Innovation of the Higher Education Funding Council England and the Strategic Research Board of the Economic and Social Research Council.
Professor Ahmad has held research grants to the value of 5M GBP. He has published extensively and is or has been on the editorial boards of Health; Sociology of Health and Illness; Health and Social Care in the Community; Critical Public Health; Creative Industries Journal and Critical Muslim. He was involved in the relaunch of the Muslim Institute London and until recently, was a Trustee of the Woolf Institute Cambridge.
Magazine
