Equivalency in the UAE refers to the process of recognizing and evaluating foreign educational qualifications to determine their equivalence with the local educational standards. This process is essential for individuals who have obtained their academic degrees from institutions outside the UAE and wish to pursue further education, seek employment, or obtain professional licenses within the country.
The equivalency process is overseen by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs department, and it involves the following key steps:
- Document Verification: The first step is to have your educational documents, such as certificates, transcripts, and diplomas, verified by the relevant authorities in the country where the degree was obtained. This process is generally carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the educational authorities of that country.
- Translation and Attestation: All non-Arabic documents should be officially translated into Arabic by a certified translator. After translation, both the original and translated documents need to be attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin.
- Submission of Documents: Once the documents are verified, translated, and attested, they must be submitted to the UAE’s Ministry of Education for the equivalency evaluation.
- Equivalency Evaluation: The UAE’s Ministry of Education will assess the documents and compare them to the equivalent qualifications in the UAE education system. The evaluation will consider factors such as the level of education, accreditation of the institution, and the curriculum followed.
- Equivalency Certificate: If the evaluation determines that the foreign qualification is equivalent to a recognized UAE qualification, the Ministry of Education will issue an equivalency certificate stating the level of equivalence.
It’s important to note that the process and requirements for equivalency may vary based on the country of origin and the specific educational institution. Also, certain professional licenses in the UAE may have additional requirements beyond educational equivalency, such as passing specific exams or meeting experience criteria.
Individuals seeking equivalency for their foreign qualifications should directly contact the UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs department or consult with a professional agency specializing in educational equivalency services to ensure a smooth and accurate evaluation process.