The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center confirmed that the UAE made significant strides in its ranking within global competitiveness indicators in the education sector over the past year compared to 2019, despite the numerous challenges posed by the “Corona” pandemic on countries worldwide, especially the challenges of remote education.
The center reported new indicators, a copy of which was obtained by "Emirates Today," revealing that the UAE achieved a major leap in 11 competitiveness indicators in the education sector, solidifying its global position in providing a high-quality educational system that ensures students are equipped with practical and technical skills, making UAE students among the best worldwide to drive the economy in both public and private sectors and actively participate in research and entrepreneurship pathways.
Additionally, the UAE managed to maintain its global lead and advanced positions in many other indicators last year, continuing its progress towards the top ranks in various competitiveness fields.
According to the center, the indicators are based on seven main global competitiveness reports published by verified international entities, including the Global Competitiveness Yearbook, the Digital Competitiveness Yearbook, the Wellbeing Index, the Global Talent Competitiveness Index, the Global Innovation Index, the Global Talent Report, and the Social Progress Index.
The center indicated that the UAE jumped 20 places in the number of science graduates index, ranking 17th globally instead of 37th in 2019, according to the Global Talent Report and the Digital Competitiveness Yearbook. The UAE also advanced eight places in the graduate skills index, ranking 19th globally instead of 27th in 2019, according to the Global Wellbeing Index, and rose six places in the index for research collaboration between universities and businesses, ranking 22nd globally instead of 28th in 2019, according to the Global Innovation Index. Furthermore, the UAE climbed four places in the number of women holding bachelor's and master's degrees, ranking 19th globally instead of 23rd, according to the Global Competitiveness Yearbook.
The UAE increased by 25 places in the index for the transfer of higher education students within the country, ranking 25th globally instead of 50th in 2019. According to the Global Innovation Index, the UAE advanced one place in the student-to-teacher ratio in secondary education, ranking 11th instead of 12th, as per the Global Talent Report. The Emirates also moved up two spots in the quality of vocational training, ranking 25th instead of 27th in 2019, according to the Global Wellbeing Index.
**First Place in Three Indicators**
The UAE jumped 14 places in the secondary school enrollment rate among the population, according to the Global Competitiveness Yearbook, eight places in the expected years of schooling according to the Global Innovation Index, six places in access to quality education as per the Social Progress Index, and five places in academic degrees based on the Global Competitiveness Yearbook.
The UAE maintained its first global position in three indicators: higher education enrollment according to the Global Innovation Index, the primary school completion rate according to the Global Wellbeing Index, and the number of international students as per the Global Talent Competitiveness Index, while retaining its sixth global position in the indicator for completing basic and secondary education according to the Global Talent Report and the Global Competitiveness Yearbook.
