UAEU at 50: Five decades of shaping national development and driving progress.
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), the country’s first and oldest national university, has played a central role in the UAE’s higher education journey since its establishment in 1976.
Founded by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father, the university was created to nurture national talent, widen access to higher education and prepare graduates to contribute to the country’s development.
UAEU welcomed its first students in 1977, beginning the 1977–78 academic year with 502 students across four faculties: Arts, Science, Education, and Administrative and Political Science.
Its academic portfolio expanded with the establishment of Sharia and Law in 1978, followed by Agricultural Sciences and Engineering in 1980. The College of Medicine and Health Sciences opened in 1986.
UAEU’s first graduating class completed its studies in 1981, with 242 graduates — 192 men and 50 women — marking a significant milestone in the development of higher education in the country.
A growing student community
Over five decades, UAEU has widened educational opportunities for male and female students across an increasingly diverse range of disciplines.
According to the university’s official statistics, enrolment stood at 17,722 in the second semester of 2025. This included 16,240 undergraduate and 1,482 postgraduate students.
Women made up 12,643 students, or 71 per cent of the total, while men accounted for 5,079, representing 29 per cent.
The university currently comprises nine colleges covering agriculture and veterinary medicine, business and economics, education, engineering, humanities and social sciences, information technology, law, medicine and health sciences, and science.
A modern campus in Al Ain
UAEU entered a new phase of growth with the development of its purpose-built campus in Al Ain, designed to accommodate its expanding academic and research activities.
Covering approximately 80 hectares, the campus features modern classrooms, specialised laboratories, research centres and advanced information technology infrastructure.
The university has also steadily expanded its postgraduate programmes and research capabilities. It launched its first master’s degree programme in environmental sciences in 1991 and introduced its first PhD programme in 2009.
Advancing research and innovation
UAEU’s research activities span medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence, sustainability and other fields aligned with the UAE’s development priorities.
In July 2026, the university reported that it had published more than 1,000 artificial intelligence research papers over the previous five years, while more than 2,200 students were enrolled in programmes related to AI and digital technologies.
The university also announced in July 2026 that it had secured more than 400 patents worldwide, highlighting its efforts to turn research findings into practical applications.
Five decades of achievement
In 2026, UAEU marked 50 years since its establishment. From an initial intake of 502 students to a university with nine colleges and an expanding research portfolio, its growth reflects the UAE’s long-term commitment to education and knowledge.
Today, the country’s oldest national university remains an important part of Al Ain’s identity and the UAE’s higher education landscape. It continues to prepare future generations, advance research and contribute to the country’s innovation ambitions.
