Khalifa University

Khalifa University (Arabic: جامعة خليفة) is a public research university located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It was ranked as the 181st best university in the world by QS world university rankings of 2023.^[4]

Khalifa University

Motto	Nurturing tomorrow’s leaders.. Growing the knowledge economy ^[1]
Type	Public
Established	2007
Students	3,500+^[2]^[3]
Location	Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Campus	Urban
Website	Khalifa University

Founded in 2007 by a decree issued by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Khalifa University was established in an effort to support a knowledge-based economy that will contribute to the state's post-oil future.^[5]

The university has 5,000 students.^[6]

In the 2022 Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings, Khalifa University placed as the 37th best university in Asia.^[7] In September 2018, Khalifa University was ranked 1st in the UAE and 2nd in the Arab region by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2019.^[8]

In March 2023, Khalifa University’s Petroleum Engineering department was ranked 8th in the world by the 2023 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject – Engineering and Technology.^[9]

History

Originally established in 1989 as the Etisalat College of Engineering (ECE), the school's main campus was built in Sharjah, and aimed to supply the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) with technologically trained workers.^[10]

Khalifa University's current president, Sir John O’Reilly, was appointed in June 2022.^[11] As of 2023, KU faculty and staff come from over 50 countries, and its student body is internationally diverse and co-educational.^[12][13]

In 2017 it was merged with The Petroleum Institute and Masdar Institute of Science and Technology.^[14]

Also in 2019 it launched Emirates Nuclear Technology Centre in collaboration with Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation.^[15] That same year Khalifa University students won first position in electric Grand Prix, and second position in the Hybrid Electric categories at the Global Hybrid Electric Challenge in UAE (GHEC-UAE) 2019. Two student teams also won awards for Best Sportsmanship, Best Workmanship, Best Technical Report, Best Presentation, Best Technical Innovation, and for Best Usage of 3D-Printing.^[15]

Khalifa University has committed a funding outlay of AED160 million over a five-year period for projects under the scope of the AI Institute (later renamed Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute).^[16]

In 2020, it also launched initiatives in building talent and human capital in AI: Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent Systems Institute, AI Institute; a Programme in Artificial Intelligence; and the Mohammed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge, MBZIRC, held in February 2020.^[17][18]

In 2023 within the framework of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed earlier to establish academic cooperation in developing aeronautical education and related research in the UAE, Khalifa University of Science and Technology and Dassault Aviation of France announced they are collaborating on a research project that focuses on developing two new material technologies for aerospace applications with potential for patenting and commercialization.^[19]

Naval Group and Khalifa University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in innovative research fields for naval and maritime applications in the United Arab Emirates.^[20]

Organization

Khalifa University offers 16 undergraduate degrees through its College of Engineering:^[21]

• • B.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering
  • B.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering
  • B.Sc. in Civil Engineering
  • B.Sc. in Computer Engineering (with optional concentration in Software Systems)
  • B.Sc. in Industrial and Systems Engineering
  • B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering
  • B.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering
  • B.Sc. in Petroleum Geosciences
  • B.Sc. in Chemistry
  • B.Sc. in Cell and Molecular Biology
  • B.Sc. in Earth and Planetary Sciences
  • B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering
  • B.Sc. in Computer Science
  • B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering
  • B.Sc. in  Applied Mathematics and Statistics
  • B.Sc. in Physics

Postgraduate programs of study under the College of Engineering:^[22]

• M.Sc. in  Aerospace Engineering
  • Space Systems and Technology
  • Guidance, Navigation, and Control Systems
• M.Sc. in Computer Science
  • Space Systems and Technology
  • Artificial Intelligence
• M.Sc. in Computational Data Science
  • Computational Systems
  • Data Analytics
• M.Sc in Chemical Engineering
  • Food Process Engineering and Technology
  • Metallurgical Engineering
• M.Sc in Civil and Infrastructural Engineering
• M.Sc in Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Space Systems and Technology
• M.Sc in Engineering Systems and Management
  • Technology Management, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • Space Systems and Technology
  • Complex Systems Acquisition and Management
• M.Sc in Cyber Security
• M.Sc in Materials Science and Engineering
  • Space Systems and Technology
  • Metallurgical Engineering
• M.Sc in Mechanical Engineering
  • Space Systems and Technology
• M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering
• M.Sc. in Petroleum Engineering
• M.Sc. in Sustainable Critical Infrastructure
• M.Sc. in Water and Environmental Engineering
  • Water and Environmental Technologies
  • Water and Environmental Resources
• M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering
• M.Sc. in Health, Safety and Environmental Engineering
• Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Infrastructure and Environmental Engineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Engineering Systems and Management
  • Material Science and Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Nuclear Engineering (offered to UAE and Saudi Nationals only)
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Robotics

Postgraduate programs of study under the College of Arts and Sciences:

• M.A. in International and Civil Security (offered to UAE Nationals only)
• M.Sc. in Applied Chemistry
• M.Sc. in Petroleum Geosciences
• M.Sc. in Medical Physics  
• M.Sc. in Molecular Life Sciences  
• M.Sc. in Applied Mathematics
• PhD in Chemistry
• PhD in Physics
• PhD in Mathematics
• PhD in Earth Sciences
• PhD in Molecular Life Sciences  

Postgraduate programs of study under the College of Medicine and Health Sciences:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)

International & Civil Security

Distinct in the Gulf,^[23] Khalifa University's Institute for International and Civil Security (IICS) seeks to "produce research which will strengthen the security of the UAE in a way that is responsive to the needs of national and global security decision-makers ... enabling the programme to make major contributions that enhance regional, international and human security."^[24][25] The IICS's director is Professor Joel Hayward, "a world authority on international conflict and strategy".^[26]

Accreditation

The three original undergraduate B.Eng. (Hons.) degree programs offered by Khalifa University (Communication, Computer, and Electronic Engineering) have been awarded accreditation by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).^[27]

Academic partnership

In recent years, KU has established a number of international academic and research partnerships. They include associations with the Georgia Institute of Technology,^[28] Texas A&M University Nuclear Security Science & Policy Institute,^[28] and KAIST. In April 2011, Khalifa University signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Bristol to establish and create the Visual Signal Analysis and Processing (VSAP) research centre at the university's Abu Dhabi campus.

On December 8, 2019 Khalifa University, the University of Milan and the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa signed an agreement to set up a joint lab for embodied artificial intelligence ( AI) in Abu Dhabi.^[29]

In 2022, Khalifa and Manchester Universities launched a partnership in the field of graphene innovation. ^[30][31]

Campuses

Khalifa University has two campuses in Abu Dhabi – the Main Campus and the  Sas Al Nakhl Campus.

The KU Main Campus is located on Abu Dhabi Island. At Main Campus, the central administration for the University is located and all general education courses are taught. It has 135,000 square meters and houses 105 laboratories, including aerospace and underwater robotics labs, 72 classrooms, sports center, retail and food outlets, and multi-story parking.^[6]

A campus extension was completed in 2016 with a new building that won the award for best Cultural and Institutional Project at the 2015 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Interior Design and Architecture Awards.^[32][33] It also has one library, a clinic, a student hub with a dining room, and numerous cafes and restaurants.^[13] The Sas Al Nakhl Campus hosts the ADNOC Research and Innovation Center (ADRIC), a research facility comprising 39 labs covering reservoir rock characterization and reservoir fluid characterization.^[34] It has student residences, exercise rooms, sports courts and fields, dining facility, cafeterias, two libraries, Independent Learning Center (ILC). The campus also has First Aid Clinics.

Student life

Khalifa University's campus student newsletter is KU TIMES, which is published once a month.^[35] Students can also participate in various clubs and academic organizations ranging from student government to the sports club.^[36]

Scholarship

Some of the scholarships that the university offers include:^[37]

• Khalifa University Scholarship
• ADNOC Scholarship Program
• Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) Scholarship "Betha"
• UAE Nuclear Energy Scholarship Program (ENEC & FANR)
• National Electronic Security Authority (NESA) - Tamayuz Scholarship Program
• The Future Teachers scholarship
• Buhooth Scholarships
• KU MED Scholarships

Rankings

University rankings
Global – Overall
ARWU World^[38]	801–900 (2023)
QS World^[39]	=230 (2024)
THE World^[40]	251–300 (2024)
USNWR Global^[41]	=662 (2023)
Regional – Overall
THE Asia^[42]	31 (2020)
THE Emerging Economies^[43]	14 (2020)

Khalifa University is placed 181st in QS World Universities Ranking 2023.^[4]

Khalifa University’s Petroleum Engineering department is ranked 8th in the world by the 2023 Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject – Engineering and Technology.^[9]

Khalifa University is ranked 5^th in the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2022.^[44]

Khalifa University is ranked 37^th in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2022.^[45]

Khalifa University is ranked 21^st in the Times Higher Education Emerging Economies University Rankings 2022. ^[46]

The 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities, placed Khalifa University at the 801–900 slab in world ranking.^[47]

References

1. This motto is displayed in the university Factbook which was published in 2014. [1] 2016-03-21 at the Wayback Machine
2. "Khalifa University". Timeshighereducation.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
3. "Khalifa University - News_29092012". Archived from the original on 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
4. "QS World University Rankings 2022".
5. "Khalifa University of Science Technology and Research at Masdar Master Plan – Sasaki Associates, Inc". Archived from the original on 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
6. "About Khalifa University". IIE - The Power of International Education. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
7. "Asia University Rankings". Times Higher Education (THE). 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
8. The National (26 April 2019). "Asia University Rankings 2019". Timeshighereducation.
9. "QS World University Rankings for Engineering - Petroleum 2023". Top Universities. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
10. "Etisalat - About Us - History". Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
11. "549 Bachelor, Master's, PhD students of Khalifa University conferred degrees by Nahyan bin Mubarak". wam. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
12. "Employees at Khalifa University". kustar.ac.ae. Archived from the original on 2014-06-19. Retrieved 2019-08-06.
13. "Khalifa University: Courses, Cost, Campus, Accommodation, Admissions & Scholarships". collegedunia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
14. staff, The National (2016-10-13). "Abu Dhabi approves merger of universities and billions in projects". The National. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
15. "Khalifa University achieves new milestones during 2019". wam. 2019-12-31. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
16. "UAE's digital push proves hugely beneficial". www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
17. "UAE's digital push proves hugely beneficial". www.gulftoday.ae. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
18. Geronimo, Adelle (2019-07-16). "UAE's Khalifa University introduces new institute for fostering AI talents". TahawulTech.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
19. "Khalifa University and France's Dassault Aviation Collaborating to Develop Graphene-based and 2D Material Technologies for Aerospace Applications - The Graphene Council". www.thegraphenecouncil.org. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
20. "Naval Group sees fierce competition in market". 2023-02-23. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
21. "Khalifa University Undergraduate Programs". www.kustar.ac.ae/. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
22. "Khalifa University Graduate Programs". www.kustar.ac.ae/. Retrieved 2019-09-05.
23. "Region's first graduate program in International and Civil Security to be showcased by Khalifa University at IDEX 2011". Al Bawaba. 2011-02-16. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
24. "KU launches Master's in International, Civil Security". Khaleejtimes.com. 2011-07-27. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
25. "Khalifa University Master's in International and Civil Security receives accreditation". Al Bawaba. 2011-07-26. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
26. "Professor at Khalifa University publishes Book on the Effects of Airpower on the Environment (Arabic)". Al-Khaleej (Arabic language), 11 February 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
27. "IET Institute of Engineering and Technology: Directory of Currently Accredited International Programmes. Updated 6 Match 2012". theiet.org. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
28. . www.kustar.ac.ae. Archived from the original on 2013-12-21.
29. "Khalifa University and partners to host new Joint Lab for Embodied Artificial Intelligence". wam. 2019-08-12. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
30. Release, Press. "A pioneering partnership between Khalifa and Manchester Universities will drive graphene innovation". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
31. "UK Business Secretary praises UK-UAE graphene partnership". UK Business Secretary praises UK-UAE graphene partnership. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
32. "Khalifa University – RSP". rsp.design. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
33. "Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi | Stretch Ceilings | Dubai, UAE, KSA, GCC". stretchceilings.ae. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
34. "Upscaling Reservoir Rock Porosity by Fractal Dimension using 3D Micro CT and 2D SEM Images" (PDF). Retrieved 2023-10-10.
35. "Newsletter & Publication".
36. "Student Life".
37. "Fully Funded Undergraduate Scholarships at Khalifa University in the UAE". For9a.com. Retrieved 2019-10-16.
38. "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023". shanghairanking.com. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
39. "QS World University Rankings: Khalifa University". Top Universities. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
40. "Khalifa University". Times Higher Education (THE). 28 September 2023. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
41. U.S. News. "Khalifa University of Science & Technology". Retrieved 27 February 2024.
42. "Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings (2020)". Times Higher Education. 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
43. "Times Higher Education Emerging Economies University Rankings (2020)". Times Higher Education. 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
44. "Arabic University Rankings". Times Higher Education (THE). 2022-10-06. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
45. "Asia University Rankings". Times Higher Education (THE). 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
46. "Emerging Economies". Times Higher Education (THE). 2021-10-15. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
47. . shanghairanking.com. Archived from the original on 2019-08-15. Retrieved 2023-10-10.

External links

• Official website

24°26′50″N 54°23′42″E / 24.44736°N 54.39494°E / 24.44736; 54.39494