The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has approved Ministerial Resolution No. 173 of 2025, a decision that sets out a unified system for managing practical training programmes in universities and colleges across the UAE.
This step is designed to ensure that graduates leave higher education institutions with the skills, confidence, and experience required to enter today’s workforce. It forms part of the UAE’s wider vision of building a competitive economy that balances academic knowledge with workplace readiness.
How the new framework is important
Strengthening education and employment links
For years, students across Dubai and the wider UAE have pursued internships, placements, and field training with varying levels of structure and support. Under the new framework, these experiences will now follow clear national guidelines, ensuring that they are not only consistent across institutions but also relevant to the country’s labour market needs.
The policy requires universities to create formal agreements with employers, guaranteeing that students’ time spent in companies or training centres is supervised, evaluated, and aligned with their field of study. This ensures that practical learning complements classroom instruction rather than serving as a formality.
Raising quality standards
The resolution establishes benchmarks for managing training. Institutions must assign qualified supervisors, maintain accurate records of student progress, and conduct regular evaluations. Training providers, whether in the public or private sector, will also be required to meet quality standards.
This systematic approach means that students are not only gaining hands-on exposure but also being assessed on skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability—qualities employers in Dubai and across the UAE actively seek.
What this means for stakeholders
Benefits for students
Students will be the primary beneficiaries of this reform. Instead of ad-hoc placements, they can expect structured experiences that genuinely prepare them for careers in industries such as finance, healthcare, technology, hospitality, and logistics—sectors that are expanding rapidly in Dubai.
By completing training under approved frameworks, graduates will leave university with a stronger CV, proven work experience, and skills tailored to employer expectations.
Benefits for universities
For universities, the resolution brings an opportunity to raise their profile and deliver on their promise of job-ready graduates. Institutions that align with the new framework will stand out to both students and industry partners, creating stronger reputations in the competitive higher education landscape of Dubai.
Benefits for employers
Employers also gain from this model. Instead of dedicating significant resources to training fresh graduates, companies will receive interns and trainees who already have an understanding of workplace practices. This reduces onboarding time and strengthens the overall talent pipeline for the UAE economy.
Impact on Dubai’s higher education and workforce
A boost for Dubai’s knowledge economy
Dubai has long positioned itself as a global education hub, with more than 40 private universities attracting students from around the world. By mandating a unified approach to practical training, the emirate strengthens its reputation as a destination where higher education is directly linked to career outcomes.
This is especially important in a city that thrives on innovation. Dubai’s economy is expanding in fields like fintech, green energy, aviation, and advanced logistics. Employers in these sectors need graduates who can contribute from day one, and the new framework ensures that universities are aligned with those expectations.
Supporting Emiratisation and workforce readiness
Another notable outcome of the resolution is its alignment with the UAE’s Emiratisation agenda. Structured training provides Emirati students with opportunities to gain meaningful workplace experience, preparing them to take up roles in both government and private organisations. At the same time, expatriate students benefit from placements that help them adapt to the local professional culture, further strengthening Dubai’s diverse workforce.
Implementation and accountability
Universities across Dubai and the wider UAE will now be required to update their training programmes in line with the Ministry’s regulations. This means establishing formal contracts with training partners, appointing supervisors, and ensuring proper reporting mechanisms are in place.
Field visits, periodic evaluations, and student performance reviews will all form part of the process. Authorities will recognise institutions that meet the standards for compliance, while they will require those falling short to make improvements.
Preparing future-ready graduates
Ultimately, this reform is about future readiness. By aligning education outcomes with the country’s economic priorities, the UAE is making sure its graduates are equipped for a rapidly changing job market.
For students, the message is clear: practical training is no longer an optional extra but a structured, valuable step towards a successful career. For universities and employers, it represents an opportunity to work together in shaping the next generation of talent for Dubai and beyond.
The launch of the new regulatory framework for practical training signals a turning point for higher education in the UAE. It transforms internships and placements from box-ticking exercises into essential, carefully managed experiences that actively prepare students for real opportunities in the labour market.
In Dubai, where innovation and competitiveness define the city’s growth, this step further cements the emirate’s role as a hub for education excellence and a talent pipeline for industries of the future.
