A department at a university in the UAE has ranked among the top 25 in the world.
The petroleum engineering department at Khalifa University was rated 21 worldwide, a jump from its former position of 28, in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021.
Higher education institutions in the country had their best performance to date in the renowned ranking with eight new departments entering the global university table.
Universities in the Emirates improved ranks in traditional areas, including engineering and computer science but also broke ground in departments like art, design and architecture.
UAE University’s petroleum engineering department ranked in the top 100 globally, while the same department at the University of Sharjah placed in the top 150.
QS World University Rankings by Subject studied the performance of 35 departments at six of the country's universities. A total of 14,435 programmes, taken by students at 1,452 universities worldwide were included in the study.
Quacquarelli Symonds, a global education research consultancy, compared the world’s higher education institutions on four criteria marked out of 100.
Researchers reviewed the universities' academic reputation, employer reputation, research citations and the productivity and impact of the published work of a scientist or scholar.
“One major factor behind the improving performance of the UAE’s universities is increasing employer recognition of the nation’s graduates," said QS spokesperson, Jack Moran.
“In last year’s edition of our rankings, only five of the UAE’s programmes received a score of 70/100 or more for employer reputation.
“This year, three more of the UAE’s departments have attained a score of 70/100 or more for employer reputation, which indicates that employers across the world are more likely to nominate the country’s graduates as being strong hires."
We are aware we are sitting at the same table with the top countries in the world
Mr Moran said some UAE universities had also improved their research performance this year and that local institutions would benefit from continuing to think globally.
“This means collaborating internationally on research projects, trying to attract top talent from across the world – both students and academics,” he said.
Apart from engineering departments, universities in the country were recognised for their arts and humanities programmes. The art and design and architecture departments at American University of Sharjah placed in the top 200 worldwide.
United Arab Emirates University entered the top 100, placing in the 51-100 band for their petroleum engineering programme.
American University of Sharjah has one of the world’s best accounting and finance programmes, placing in the 151-200 bracket.
Philip Purnell, head of rankings at UAE University, said he was happy that the university had entered the tables in two new subjects, petroleum engineering and arts and humanities.
UAE University improved its position in eight disciplines, and was ranked for 16 different subjects.
"We are aware we are sitting at the same table with the top countries in the world," said Mr Purnell.
"There has been a lot of investment in terms of technology, we have a new dean, and the level of student learning has been enhanced."
He said the university would focus on medicine, space, cultural heritage, arts and humanities. UAEU is also seeking to increase international collaboration and partnerships.
"We are going expand the college of medicine will try to broaden the range of subjects."
Mr Purnell said there had been a steep rise in research published in the leading international journals, which helped boost the university's position.
UAEU is also involved in the phase 3 trials for the Russian Sputnik Covid-19 vaccine with some tests being conducted at the university's laboratories.
At a global level, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology were the strongest-performing institutions ranked number-one in 12 subjects.
The UK's higher education sector remained resilient with 13 of the 51 subject tables topped by a British university.
The University of Oxford had five departments that earned the top rank.
Chinese universities had a record number of programmes that made the top 50.
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IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UJDA CHAMAN
Produced: Panorama Studios International
Directed: Abhishek Pathak
Cast: Sunny Singh, Maanvi Gagroo, Grusha Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla
Rating: 3.5 /5 stars
MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
