The UAE government has launched a major initiative to digitize the verification of academic qualifications, aiming to curb credential fraud and streamline hiring procedures in both private and public sectors. This joint project by the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research marks a leap toward a more transparent and fully digital employment environment.
As reported by Gulf News, the new service allows private companies and individuals to electronically confirm the authenticity of academic credentials—whether issued in the UAE or abroad. This verification process covers qualifications that are either attested or granted equivalency status by the Ministry of Education.
A key part of the implementation requires all employees—citizens and residents alike—across the private sector to secure either attestation or equivalency of their academic documents, whether obtained before or during employment. Those working in federal government institutions must also have any additional qualifications earned during employment attested, especially if those credentials are to be used for promotions or role changes.
According to the report, the Ministry of Education applies rigorous standards before granting equivalency. Applications must pass through multiple layers of authentication, including seals from UAE embassies and local authorities. Once the documentation is in order, the ministry directly contacts the issuing university to verify the legitimacy of the certificate and the graduation claim. Only after confirming authenticity are the credentials assessed against UAE academic benchmarks.
Khalil Al Khoori, Undersecretary at MoHRE, emphasized that the initiative aligns with the ministry’s broader mission to improve labour market efficiency and elevate the quality of digital services provided to users.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mohammed Al Mualla, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Higher Education, highlighted the system’s potential to improve accuracy and speed in verifying academic records. “This will help our economic sectors attract the right talent and strengthen their global competitiveness,” he said.
The report also noted a common issue in the private sector: many employees have yet to formalize the recognition of their academic credentials simply because it wasn’t previously required by their employers. The new initiative is expected to close this gap and ensure greater standardization in workforce qualifications across the country.