The United Arab Emirates' Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) said Oct. 22 that 88 of 3,970 digital ads reviewed in 2026 breached its rules, with compliance at about 98%, Gulf News reported.
From January through September, MoHESR's Higher Education Oversight and Quality Department carried out 228 regulatory visits and inspection campaigns. These produced 32 corrective action plans; as of Oct. 22, 84% of entities had carried out their plans, the ministry said.
Officials use artificial intelligence to screen advertisements and academic practices, then combine those reviews with field inspections and data analysis to focus on higher-risk cases. The ministry said the approach is intended to identify problems early and protect students' rights and education quality.
MoHESR and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) have also made nearly 90 visits since the start of 2026 to assess practical training for higher-education students. The checks covered 441 students at 90 institutions and companies. Institutions given corrective plans had taken the required measures, the ministry said.
The ministry said its oversight emphasizes prevention and follow-up on remedies. Institutions can address breaches and bring their status into compliance, while further measures may apply when issues affect education quality, academic integrity or students' opportunities to train and learn.
Checks span institutional licensing, program accreditation, the accuracy of information provided to students, education quality, academic integrity, records and practical training. The ministry said its work aligns with Cabinet Resolution No. 143 of 2026, which sets out violations, penalties and administrative measures related to its responsibilities and services. The resolution also covers oversight, evaluation and academic advertising, with students' and trainees' rights among the ministry's stated priorities.
