Strengthening Futures: Pakistan and UAE Collaborate on Education and Talent Growth
Introduction
Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are forging a new chapter in bilateral engagement by deepening collaboration in higher education and human resource development—sectors vital to national progress in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape. With the UAE investing heavily in academic infrastructure—currently overseeing over 123 licensed universities and branches across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah—and positioning itself as a leading regional hub, it offers close to 165 accredited programs across STEM, business, and liberal arts disciplines. For Pakistan, aligning this wealth of educational capacity with its human capital goals—such as increasing PhD production and boosting tertiary education enrollment under Vision 2025—represents a significant leap toward socio-economic transformation.
This growing partnership was reaffirmed in early July 2025 when Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, met with UAE’s Human Resources and Higher Education Minister Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmanan Al Awar. The two sides reviewed ongoing initiatives and resolved to elevate cooperation across institutions, scholarships, skill-development programs, and professional training schemes—benefitting students, academics, and professionals from both countries. This collaboration underscores the strategic importance of leveraging education to nurture talent, foster mobility, and strengthen socio-economic links between nations committed to shared development.
Historical Background
a) Foundations of Educational Cooperation
The seeds of Pakistan–UAE collaboration in education were sown well before 2025. As early as December 2021, both countries pledged to enhance cooperation in education and skills training, assigning Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) to engage with their UAE counterparts toward shared educational goals.
b) Diplomatic Engagements and Institutional Diplomacy
Building on those commitments, a major milestone occurred in early July 2025 when Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi met with UAE Minister Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmanan Al‑Awar in Abu Dhabi. The meeting reaffirmed both nations’ resolve to expand partnerships across higher education, skill development, and workforce readiness. Ambassador Tirmizi notably underscored the substantial contribution of over 1.5 million Pakistani expatriates to the UAE—remittances worth more than $5 billion annually—emphasizing the socio-economic stake in deepening bilateral ties.
c) Institutional and Policy-Level Synergies
Beyond political engagements, the Pakistani Consulate in Dubai has played an active role in forging institutional links. In 2024, it had already signed multiple MoUs with UAE-based universities, facilitating joint academic programmes and smooth credential recognition—ensuring degrees earned in UAE institutions receive official recognition in Pakistan and vice versa. Such frameworks support student mobility and mutual qualification equivalence.
d) Academic Outreach and Pakistani Universities’ Presence in UAE
By 2025, Pakistani private universities began actively participating in major UAE education platforms. At GETEX 2025, institutions such as Superior University (with a campus in Ras Al Khaimah) showcased skill-based curricula, internship‑linked programmes, and scholarships to the UAE and global student communities. This reflects a tangible shift from policy discussions to on-the-ground educational engagement.
Skill Development & Internship Programs 🌟
a) Institutional MOU on Labour & HR Training
Pakistan and the UAE have a long-standing commitment to developing skilled human resources, formalized through a landmark MoU signed on June 18, 2019. The agreement institutionalized cooperation in labour management, bringing together government agencies for pre-departure and post-arrival educational programming, digital case administration, and arbitration systems to protect Pakistani workers in the UAE 🇵🇰–🇦🇪. While focused on migrant labour, this framework forms an essential foundation for formal training and preparedness in workforce migration.
b) New Bilateral Focus on Workforce-Readiness
In July 2025, high-level talks between Pakistan’s Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and UAE Minister Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar renewed emphasis on higher education and human resource development coordination. The dialogue signaled a concerted resolve to build structured programs benefiting students, institutions, and professionals via coordinated skill training initiatives.
c) Scholarship & Training MoUs with Universities
Initiatives like the 2021 MoU between Sarhad University of Science & Information Technology (Ras Al Khaimah campus) and the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai offer 100% tuition scholarships to Pakistani students and faculty, along with professional development seminars and workshops. These efforts not only reduce financial barriers but also empower educators and administrators to participate in international learning ecosystems.
d) Student Mobility, Internships & Networking Platforms
Pakistani institutions are increasingly participating in UAE educational expos such as Uniexpo and GETEX. Alongside the presence of colleges like Superior University in UAE, these events facilitate access to internships, skill‑linked programs, and scholarships. While these programs remain highly competitive, with only partial funding available in many cases, they represent critical gateways to cross-border training and career exposure for young professionals.
e) Capacity-Building via Workshops & Seminars
Pakistani universities and the Consulate have organized continuing professional development sessions, webinars, and teacher workshops in the UAE. Such capacity-building interventions strengthen human-resource readiness, institutional exchange, and collaborative training ecosystems between the two countries.
✅ Key Takeaways
| Theme | Strategic Insight |
|---|---|
| Policy Foundation | Labour‑sector MoUs provide structural mechanisms for training and worker protection. |
| High-Level Momentum | 2025 diplomatic dialogue reaffirms shared commitment to educational and workforce cooperation. |
| Accessible Scholarships | Programmatic support through MoUs with UAE institutions expands opportunity for Pakistani students and educators. |
| Professional Linkages | Networking platforms like GETEX foster student mobility and cross-country internships. |
| Capacity Enhancement | Workshops and CPD initiatives help strengthen academic-community readiness and quality assurance. |
This section emphasizes the multi-dimensional framework through which Pakistan–UAE cooperation in education is evolving—spanning policy, institutions, skill-building platforms, and direct student-professional engagement.