Khalifa University has ranked among the top 30 young universities worldwide as strong investment in research and industry links in the UAE pays off.
The university in Abu Dhabi came 27th, up from 49th last year, according to the latest Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024, published on Tuesday.
Five UAE higher education institutions appeared in the top 100 worldwide, up from four last year.
At Khalifa University from day one, there was the clear mandate for research and there was a focus
Senthil Nathan,
managing director and co-founder of Edu Alliance
UAE University was also among the top 50 in 47th place, a drop from 38th in 2023. Abu Dhabi University was 60th, slipping from 58th last year, while the University of Sharjah ranked 69th, down from 43rd.
Zayed University made a big jump into the top 100, in 98th, up from the 151-200 band last year, while the American University of Sharjah moved into the top 125 universities from the 201-250 band last year.
'Excellent research quality'
"Khalifa University has really pushed it further, it's now in the top 30 worldwide," said Phil Baty, Times Higher Education’s chief global affairs officer.
"In the case of the UAE, we are seeing that great, strong investment in research is really paying off. Khalifa University has a very good research quality score and we are seeing some excellent research quality.
"In particular, Khalifa University has very, very high scores for industry links so that's about leveraging research, funding from the private sector, from industry partners, but also turning research into intellectual property.
"We analyse patents and how much university research is going into patents. Khalifa University is outstanding for both the industry collaboration scores, so very closely aligned with the business world, which is very good for driving the UAE’s economy.
"University of Sharjah is also actually doing well in research quality, even though it slipped a little.”
Mr Baty said UAE universities were doing very well in international collaboration.
“I think what we're seeing is some really interesting improvements there,” Mr Baty said.
“What we're also seeing in the Emirates, which is very different from southern Asia, is very good internationalisation. [There is] very high commitment to international partnerships, collaboration, international faculty recruitment, so that's driving up standards and making research more influential.
“Those are areas of real outstanding strength in the Emirates, which are very, very different to the southern Asian universities. We've got a much more international focus, much more industry-linked work.”
He said UAE University and Khalifa University had strong industry links, which helped to boost their rankings.
Senthil Nathan, managing director and co-founder of Edu Alliance, a higher education consultancy in the UAE and US, said the mission of the university made all the difference.
"At Khalifa University, from day one, there was the clear mandate for research and there was a focus," he said.
The Young University Rankings reflect the relative development of university systems, comparing institutions founded within the past 50 years, and applies the same methodology as the World University Rankings with recalibrated measures.
Times Higher Education uses indicators such as teaching, research quality, research environment, international outlook and industry.
A total of 673 universities, from 79 countries and regions, are in the ranking this year, up from 605 in 2023.
Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed tours Khalifa University in 2021 - in pictures
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
How they line up for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix
1 Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
2 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari
3 Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari
4 Max Verstappen, Red Bull
5 Kevin Magnussen, Haas
6 Romain Grosjean, Haas
7 Nico Hulkenberg, Renault
*8 Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
9 Carlos Sainz, Renault
10 Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
11 Fernando Alonso, McLaren
12 Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren
13 Sergio Perez, Force India
14 Lance Stroll, Williams
15 Esteban Ocon, Force India
16 Brendon Hartley, Toro Rosso
17 Marcus Ericsson, Sauber
18 Charles Leclerc, Sauber
19 Sergey Sirotkin, Williams
20 Pierre Gasly, Toro Rosso
* Daniel Ricciardo qualified fifth but had a three-place grid penalty for speeding in red flag conditions during practice
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Denis%20Villeneuve%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Timothee%20Chamalet%2C%20Zendaya%2C%20Austin%20Butler%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Bharatanatyam
A ancient classical dance from the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Intricate footwork and expressions are used to denote spiritual stories and ideas.
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
