UAE a hub for transnational education: Expert

UAE is strategically important as well as resilient with government-led policy support, and timely reforms, which can restore confidence and reinforce its position as a leading global education hub. This was stated by Syed Abidi, education analyst and transnational education (TNE) expert while talking to Gulf Today in Dubai.

Abidi is also a recipient of top awards in Pakistan and abroad as well.

Highlighting the Gulf region, he said, “The United Arab Emirates has, over the past two decades, emerged as one of the world’s most ambitious hubs for transnational education. International branch campuses representing some of the globe’s most prestigious universities have transformed the educational landscape and contributed significantly to the region’s soft power, innovation agenda, and knowledge economy.”

“Educational clusters such as Dubai International Academic City have played a pivotal role in institutional aggregation, enabling global universities to operate within a collaborative and well-supported ecosystem,” Abidi added.

Shedding light on the local opportunities for international higher education degree students, he said, “The UAE’s contribution extends far beyond traditional international branch campuses. The country has also become a major centre for diverse TNE models including dual degrees, franchised programmes, articulation pathways, online and blended learning partnerships, validation arrangements, and offshore academic collaborations.”

Abidi further said that these models have enabled thousands of students from the Gulf, South Asia, Africa, and expatriate communities residing in the UAE to access international qualifications locally — without the financial, visa, or social barriers associated with travelling abroad to parent universities.

Commenting on the recent regional situation, he said , “The events of 2026 — marked by geopolitical tensions, security concerns, and operational disruptions — have exposed vulnerabilities within the international education sector globally. Campuses and TNE providers that once symbolised uninterrupted stability have faced declining enrolments, rising operational costs, and intensifying competition from emerging destinations such as Central Asia and Southeast Asia.”

Abidi further mentioned that “the UAE government deserves significant appreciation for the stability, resilience, and forward-looking policies it has demonstrated during challenging times.”