February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Khalifa University of Science and Technology is the UAE’s premier research-intensive university, specialising in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The institution was formed in 2017 through the merger of three Abu Dhabi-based universities: the Khalifa University of Science, Technology, and Research; the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology; and the Petroleum Institute. This consolidation created a single, globally competitive research university aligned with Abu Dhabi’s strategic priorities in energy, aerospace, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

UAE Context

Khalifa University operates under the patronage of the Abu Dhabi government and maintains strong ties to national strategic industries, particularly the energy sector through its legacy Petroleum Institute programmes. It hosts specialised research centres focused on autonomous robotics, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and advanced materials. The university collaborates with international partners including MIT, which helped design the former Masdar Institute’s curriculum. Khalifa University consistently ranks as the highest-placed UAE institution in global university league tables such as QS and Times Higher Education.

Key Data

The university enrols several thousand students across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes. Its research output includes hundreds of peer-reviewed publications annually, and it holds a significant patent portfolio related to energy technology and materials science. The campus in Abu Dhabi houses state-of-the-art laboratories, a nuclear engineering programme supporting the Barakah project, and the Aerospace Research and Innovation Center.

Vision 2031 Significance

Khalifa University is central to the UAE’s ambition of transitioning to a knowledge-based economy. It produces the advanced STEM graduates and applied research outputs needed for sectors prioritised under Vision 2031, including clean energy, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.

  • Masdar City — Clean-technology hub where the former Masdar Institute was located.
  • Barakah Nuclear — National nuclear programme supported by Khalifa University research.
  • Hub71 — Abu Dhabi technology ecosystem with university research linkages.
  • AI Strategy — National AI framework that Khalifa University’s research supports.