UAE trains university faculty to bring AI applications into classrooms

The United Arab Emirates is strengthening efforts to connect university teaching with developments in artificial intelligence (AI) through a training initiative for academic staff, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in partnership with technology company SAP.

The programme involved 14 faculty members from six higher education institutions which included Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi University, Al Ain University, Umm Al Quwain University and Kalba University. It was designed to help academics understand how AI is changing business operations and how practical industry knowledge could be incorporated into academic programmes.

The training was conducted under the initiative “Integrating with the Economic Sector to Create Impact and Lead Change in Future Skills”, which aims to strengthen collaboration between higher education institutions and industry.

Academics develop an AI agent during training

The two-day programme covered agentic AI, the concept of the autonomous enterprise and the use of AI in business environments. Participants also examined how emerging technologies are changing organisational processes and the skills graduates may need as they enter the workforce.

The practical component involved building an AI agent using SAP’s AI tools. The exercise gave participants direct exposure to applying the technology rather than limiting the programme to theoretical discussions.

The ministry said the programme forms part of its efforts to establish continuing professional development opportunities for academic staff through practical training and engagement with real-world work environments.

Ibrahim Ahmed Fikri, assistant undersecretary for the ministry’s Higher Education and Scientific Research Regulation and Governance Sector, said similar programmes would be organised with local and international companies across different economic sectors.

“This programme is one of the outcomes of the Economic Sector and Higher Education Institutions Partnership Working Group, established under the Higher Education and Future Skills Advisory Committee,” Fikri said.

He added that the ministry intends to organise similar training opportunities with local and international companies across different sectors.

The stated objective is to help universities keep their academic offerings aligned with technological developments and labour-market requirements.

Partnership focuses on future workforce skills

SAP UAE managing director Marwan Zain El Din highlighted the need to prepare graduates to work alongside intelligent systems as AI becomes more widely used in organisations.

He said the training introduced academics to the company’s concept of the “Autonomous Enterprise” and explored its implications for higher education.

“The skills graduates need to succeed alongside intelligent systems” were among the issues discussed during the programme, Zeineddine said. He added that the sessions examined how universities could adapt their curricula to changes brought about by agentic AI.

Highlighting the role of industry in academic preparation, Zeineddine said SAP provides “dedicated resources and tools for universities and academic faculty” to bring practical expertise into classrooms, laboratories and research activities.

The initiative is linked to the Economic Sector and Higher Education Institutions Partnership Working Group, established under the Higher Education and Future Skills Advisory Committee. The committee comprises 10 specialised working groups and brings together more than 120 experts and representatives from academic institutions, government and the private sector.

The collaboration also reflects the work of the Economic Sector and Higher Education Institutions Partnership Working Group, which operates under the Higher Education and Future Skills Advisory Committee.

The committee comprises 10 specialised working groups and brings together more than 120 experts and representatives from academic institutions, government bodies and the private sector.

The ministry and SAP intend for practical industry knowledge to inform teaching, laboratory activities and research. The announcement did not specify a date for the next training programme or report measurable changes to university curricula resulting from this session.