UAE ministry revokes licence of Ajman-based private university over violations

The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) announced that it revoked the institutional licensure and programme accreditation of Ajman-based Horizon University College following repeated serious breach of the institutional licensure requirements and programme accreditation regulations.

The decision followed the college’s repeated administrative violations that warranted the cancellation of the licensure, according to the approved frameworks, MoHESR said.

It was proven that the college’s continued operation would affect students’ rights, the quality of the educational process, the reliability of academic output and institutional sustainability, it added.

Based on the decision, the university would be prohibited from engaging in any higher education activity and the accreditation of all its academic programmes would be annulled.

As a result, the college’s academic programmes would no longer be offered, taught or announced, no new students would be accepted, no academic qualifications would be granted and no grade reports would be issued in accordance with the applicable regulatory procedures.

Yet, the necessary measures to protect students’ rights and ensure the continuity of their educational journey would continue to be implemented.

As the students’ interests and the continuity of their studies are a top priority, MoHESR reiterated that it would continue to take the necessary measures to ensure their transfer to licensed and accredited higher education institutions in co-ordination with local authorities and concerned entities.

By this, their studies would be completed in a way that would preserve their academic rights and ensure that their educational journey would not be affected, it added.

A joint working group headed by an MoHESR representative with representatives of the university and concerned authorities as members was formed with the aim of supervising the implementation of the approved plan for the continuity of the academic process and the protection of students.

The working group would ensure the implementation of procedures for transferring students to licensed higher education institutions and co-ordinating with the concerned authorities to ensure the continuity of the academic process and the completion of all procedures related to students’ rights.

MoHESR reiterated its continued commitment to strengthening the regulatory and oversight system, in co-operation with the concerned local and federal authorities, to ensure that higher education institutions abide by approved national standards, maintain the quality of the educational process, protect students’ interests and enhance the competitiveness and credibility of the higher education system in the UAE.

It called on college students and their parents to follow the latest developments and instructions issued through MoHESR’s official channels, stressing its keenness to keep them informed of the procedures related to their transfer and completion of their studies.