Dubai's ambitious education reforms: New student visas, scholarships, jobs for 90% of graduates; vision 2033

In a pivotal meeting of the Executive Council of Dubai , chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, a comprehensive set of new policies was approved to reshape the emirate’s education, environment, legal framework, and infrastructure governance. Aimed at achieving Dubai’s strategic goals for 2030 and 2033, the initiatives include expanded student visas, employment pathways for 90% of graduates, clean air targets, and the launch of an international mediation centre, marking a bold step in Dubai’s long-term vision for innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness.

Bold New Vision for Education and Youth Empowerment

Dubai has introduced a sweeping set of policies that mark a transformative shift in the emirate’s education and development landscape. These initiatives, approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aim to:

• Attract global talent through enhanced student visa systems
  
  
• Provide international scholarships
  
  
• Guarantee that 90% of students secure suitable employment after graduation
  
  

“Youth are the architects of the future, shaping it with their awareness, optimism, and openness to the world,” said Sheikh Hamdan. “Dubai continues to empower young people with knowledge and skills, providing them with world-class academic, practical, and research opportunities. Our goal is to make Dubai a destination for outstanding students from around the world and an incubator for innovation.”

By 2033, the emirate intends for international students to make up 50% of its total university enrolment. Today, Dubai is home to 37 international university branches, and it plans to host over 70 higher education institutions, including 11 universities ranked in the global top 200, by that target year.

Notable universities already operating in Dubai include:

• Curtin University Dubai and University of Wollongong in Dubai, both in the QS World University Rankings 2026 Top 200
  
  
• University of Birmingham Dubai, ranked among the top 100 international universities
  
  
• University of Manchester Dubai, placed in the global top 50
  
  

Led by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the higher education enhancement strategy is expected to contribute Dh5.6 billion to Dubai’s GDP.

To realize this, authorities are rolling out:

• Upgraded student and graduate visa systems
  
  
• New work visas for graduates
  
  
• Enhanced international scholarship programmes
  
  
• Targeted efforts to attract prestigious universities
  
  
• Development of university clusters
  
  
• Strengthened regulatory frameworks
  
  
• Launch of a Higher Education Investment Fund
  
  
• Formation of the Dubai Scientific Research Network
  

Employment-Driven Academic Reforms

A major highlight of the reforms is the Academic and Career Guidance Policy, which aims to streamline the transition from education to employment.

This new policy, also led by KHDA, targets the following milestones:

• 90% of Emirati graduates employed within six months of graduation
  
  
• 80% of educational institutions to provide effective career guidance services
  
  
• 70% of students to secure admission or jobs aligned with their top three choices
  
  

The policy is central to achieving the goals of the broader Education Strategy 2033, and it encompasses:

• Clear career guidance guidelines for schools and universities
  
  
• Parental and student engagement initiatives
  
  
• Integrated career information platforms
  
  
• Entrepreneurship programmes and life skills camps
  
  
• Strategic partnerships with local and international accredited universities and training institutes
  

Environmental Goals and Public Health Initiatives

Parallel to the educational and economic strategies, Dubai has launched the Air Quality Strategy 2030, an ambitious plan to improve air quality and safeguard public health.

The strategy aims for Dubai to meet clean air standards on 90% of days by 2030, by:

• Cutting PM2.5 concentrations to 35 micrograms per cubic metre
  
  
• Reducing other pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ground-level ozone
  
  

This initiative is led by the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority, with support from a wide array of agencies, including:

• Dubai Municipality
  
  
• Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)
  
  
• Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
  
  
• Dubai Airports
  
  
• Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation
  
  
• DP World
  
  
• Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
  
  
• Emirates Global Aluminium
  

Legal and Infrastructure Reforms to Support Growth

Dubai International Mediation Centre Project

This new project reinforces the emirate's role in international legal affairs, providing cost-effective, efficient, and globally recognised dispute resolution services. Co-developed by the Government of Dubai Legal Affairs Department and ADR Centre, a prominent European mediation institution, the centre is expected to:

• Enhance investor confidence
  
  
• Attract foreign direct investment
  
  
• Create jobs in mediation and arbitration
  
  
• Boost Dubai’s standing in global competitiveness indices, especially in alternative dispute resolution
  
  

Governance Policy for Government Construction Projects

Also approved during the Executive Council meeting was a new governance framework for construction projects, led by the Dubai Department of Finance. It will:

• Introduce a three-tiered categorisation for projects:
  
  
  • Below Dh200 million
    
    
  • Dh200–500 million
    
    
  • Above Dh500 million
    
    
• Standardise and streamline planning and approvals
  
  
• Improve fiscal efficiency and transparency
  
  
• Support the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 goal of growing government spending from Dh512 billion (past decade) to Dh700 billion (next decade)
  
  
• Establish a five-year project portfolio to prioritise impactful developments