A top UAE university has been recognised for its efforts to develop the business leaders of tomorrow after being named the best in the country in a new MBA league table.
The United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain was placed top of the class in the Emirates and second in the Gulf region in the recently released QS Global MBA Rankings 2026. The UAEU College of Business and Economics was also ranked in the 121-30 bracket out of 390 MBA courses around the world.
The comprehensive list evaluates business schools on vital indicators such as employability, value for money, alumni outcomes, thought leadership and diversity.
The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania led the annual rankings, with Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management and Stanford Graduate School of Business making for an all-US top four. HEC Paris, London Business School and Cambridge (Judge) featured in the top 10.
UAEU said the recognition underscored its commitment to equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in an evolving global business landscape. The university comprises nine colleges and 13 interdisciplinary research centres, including the Emirates Centre for Entrepreneurship Research, which plays a central role in fostering innovation and championing start-ups.
It is the latest success for the team at UAEU, cementing its position as a centre of excellence in the region and beyond.
On Wednesday, the university was granted a US patent for a new eco-friendly battery cell that has been hailed as a breakthrough for efforts to cut carbon emissions. The invention, called the metal-carbon dioxide battery cell, is designed to convert carbon dioxide into electrical energy and valuable chemical products such as formate and hydrocarbons.
It is intended to address pressing environmental challenges caused by carbon emissions by providing a highly efficient battery system with superior energy conversion performance compared with conventional batteries.
In January, the institution launched the Stem Cells Research Centre. It is hoped it will develop a “new generation” of Emirati scientists to help drive progress in stem cell therapy and enhance patient care.
The centre was opened in the presence of Zaki Nusseibeh, cultural adviser to President Sheikh Mohamed and chancellor of the university. The centre will look to bolster research into stem cell therapy, boost manufacturing capabilities and establish international partnerships to support the stem cell market in the Middle East, which is expected to grow to $1.3 billion by 2030, from $711.8 million in 2024.
