Undergraduate Catalog

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The University

The History of Khalifa University

In 2017, the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, issued a decree stipulating that Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, and The Petroleum Institute all become parts of one institution called Khalifa University of Science and Technology (Khalifa University).

Khalifa University is a comprehensive research-intensive university with three colleges, three research institutes, 18 research centers, and 36 departments covering a broad range of disciplines in science, engineering, and medicine. The internationally top-ranked university is the only university in the UAE with research and academic programs that address the entire range of strategic, scientific and industrial challenges facing the UAE’s knowledge economy transformation and our rapidly evolving world.

Khalifa University’s world-class faculty and state-of-the-art research facilities provide an unparalleled learning experience to students from the UAE and around the world. The university brings together the best in science, engineering and medicine in the UAE, and offers specialized degrees that take promising high school graduates all the way to top-rated doctorate degree holders. Our institution will continue to evolve with the UAE’s rapidly developing national goals and needs and nurture the innovation ecosystem required for the country’s targeted knowledge economy transformation.

The histories of the three merged institutions are integral to the unified university's vision and mission. Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) was inaugurated on 13 February 2007 by the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and had in its remit to provide bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral-level education primarily in engineering and the sciences. The university opened its Abu Dhabi campus (now the Main Campus) in October 2008 to add to the campus in Sharjah (formerly Etisalat University College, EUC). The Sharjah branch campus, which has since closed, had a proud history dating back to 1989.

The establishment of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology (MI) on 25 February 2007 as a graduate-only institute was part of a resource diversification plan for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi’s leadership views research and education in alternative energy fields as a cornerstone for the future development of the Emirate and express their commitment to this vision through supporting the establishment of the Masdar Initiative, Masdar City, the Zayed Future Energy Prize (renamed the Zayed Sustainability Prize), and the Masdar Institute.

The Petroleum Institute (PI) was established in 2000 through an Emiri decree. Prior to the merger with KUSTAR and MI, it was financed and governed by a consortium of five major oil companies: ADNOC, Royal Dutch Shell, BP, Total S.A., and Japan Oil Development Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of INPEX. PI admitted its first students in the Fall of 2001 and offered bachelor’s and master’s programs, as well as a research program tailored to the needs of the oil and gas industry. The purpose of the PI, as part of Khalifa University, will be to continue to provide highly trained engineers and geoscientists for the UAE oil, gas and broader energy industries.

 

University Vision

To be a globally leading university, stimulating positive change and shaping the future

University Mission

Catalyze growth in the rapidly evolving knowledge-based economy of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, being a destination of choice for world-class education, research, innovation and enterprise to the benefit of society locally and globally

University Strategic Goals

  1. Outstanding Student Experience

    World-class education preparing future leaders and critical thinkers in a stimulating community with a research-oriented and, entrepreneurial, learning environment

  2. Impactful Research

    Produce influential research and advanced technology with local benefit and global impact

  3. Catalyst for Economic Development

    Positively impact society and enrich the national economy through innovation, enterprise and research commercialization

  4. Community, Partner and Stakeholder Engagement

    Foster a people-oriented community within the University and promote mutually beneficial relationships locally and globally.

  5. Operational Excellence

   Promote a culture of continuous improvement to support our people in working together, practicing excellence in all that we do.

 

Research

The KU research community responsibly manages funding, collaborations, and research compliance in a manner consistent with international standards and KU's mission and objectives. The university provides support for the development, submission, and management of proposals and awards for both internal and external funding. KU’s research priorities address specific industry and sector needs, technical platforms, and expertise. These include clean and renewable energy, water and environment, hydrocarbon exploration and production, healthcare, aerospace, supply chain and logistics, advanced materials and manufacturing, robotics, AI and data science, and information and communication technologies.

 

Licensure and Accreditation

Khalifa University of Science and Technology, located in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is officially licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) of the United Arab Emirates to award degrees/qualifications in higher education. All the academic programs offered by Khalifa University of Science and Technology are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the United Arab Emirates.

A number of our undergraduate programs are also accredited by the international engineering accreditation body ABET:
• B.Sc. Aerospace Engineering
• B.Sc. Biomedical Engineering
• B.Sc. Chemical Engineering
• B.Sc. Civil Engineering
• B.Sc. Computer Engineering
• B.Sc. Electrical Engineering

• B.Sc. Industrial and Systems Engineering
• B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering
• B.Sc. Petroleum Engineering

 

University Financial Resources

Khalifa University of Science and Technology is a not-for-profit, public institution. The core budget of the University is provided by the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The University is a semi-government entity with an independent legal personality, financial and administrative independence, and full legal competence to practice its activities and achieve its objectives.