UAE Ministry of Education and Coursera sign lifelong learning agreement

The Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates and US online learning platform Coursera have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a lifelong learning system in the country, according to reports published on February 20, 2023. The agreement was signed during the World Government Summit 2023.

Under the memorandum, the two sides plan to build local and international partnerships that promote credit-recommended learning content in the UAE. The agreement also covers support for the country's higher education institutions in developing micro-credentials that can carry academic credit. It was signed by the ministry's under-secretary for academic affairs and Coursera's chief executive, in the presence of the minister of education and other senior officials. No financial terms or enrollment targets were disclosed.

The stated aim is to make learning opportunities that are career-relevant, accessible and flexible more widely available, with a strong emphasis on micro-credentials. The reports linked the agreement to broader national goals: strengthening individual capabilities and productivity, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, and supporting the transition toward a knowledge-based economy. The reports did not give further details on specific courses or participating universities.