UAE withdraws MidOcean University’s recognition after major regulatory breaches

The inspection, conducted in partnership with the Fujairah Free Zone Authority, revealed “fundamental violations” in the university’s operational mechanisms, academic programme delivery, and adherence to approved national standards, the Ministry said. 

“Fundamental violations were identified at Midocean University concerning its operational mechanisms, the controls for delivering academic programmes, and its adherence to the approved national standards and criteria,” MoHESR stated. “In line with our continued efforts to protect students and safeguard the credibility of academic qualifications… recognition for all qualifications issued by the institution has been withdrawn.” 

MoHESR urged students and parents to verify the accreditation status of institutions before enrolment. 

According to officials, Midocean University had been offering registration services and conducting educational programmes without securing the required ministry accreditation.

The inspection also revealed significant discrepancies between the student and programme data submitted by the university and what was observed on-site, prompting authorities to launch an extensive verification and technical assessment process. 

Following the evaluation, the Ministry updated the institution’s status to “not accredited” on its official recognition lists, in line with regulatory procedures. 

Part of a broader crackdown on non-compliant educational providers The decision aligns with ongoing nationwide efforts to ensure the integrity of higher education in the UAE. 

Between June and early September 2025, MoHESR reviewed more than 2,500 digital advertisements from 118 educational and training institutions as part of its proactive monitoring framework. While most promotional materials met regulatory standards, the Ministry blocked 20 non-compliant advertisements from being published. During the same period, MoHESR also carried out 67 inspection visits to assess the quality and compliance of academic programmes.

Taif Mohamed Alamiri, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Higher Education Regulation and Governance, said the strengthened regulatory measures demonstrate the UAE’s commitment to safeguarding academic quality. 

“We ensure proactive and continuous monitoring through digital tools, stakeholder feedback, and field visits,” she said. “These efforts reinforce public trust in the academic and professional standards of UAE-based higher education institutions.” She added that the Ministry’s supervisory work includes close collaboration with federal and local regulators to ensure strong governance and robust student protection.