The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) has unveiled a new academic calendar for the 2025–2026 academic year, set to be adopted across all public and private higher education institutions in the UAE. The move follows approval from the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council and is part of a broader push to strengthen the national education system.

Key changes include a revised structure for end-of-term holidays, aimed at offering greater flexibility and consistency for universities across the country. The revamped calendar is aligned with the objectives of the ‘Year of Community,’ a national initiative that encourages family cohesion and student well-being through a more balanced academic schedule.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said the new calendar reflects a strategic shift in how academic life is structured to better serve students and society.

“This step reflects our ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency of the higher education system by aligning academic policies with community development goals and student needs,” Dr. Al Awar said. “It marks a qualitative shift toward a more flexible, balanced system that supports students’ well-being, community engagement, and personal growth.”

The Ministry says the updated calendar is part of a larger vision to foster an integrated and responsive university environment—one that not only meets academic requirements but also supports the broader personal and social development of students.