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Khalifa University Soars In Global Rankings, Solidifying UAE’s Academic Excellence

Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa University of Science and Technology continues to make waves on the global academic stage, securing top spots in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject for 2025. The university’s engineering program has climbed into the prestigious 126-150 range, while its Computer Science and Physical Sciences programs have both made impressive strides, now positioned within the 176-200 band. These results mark a major milestone for the institution, reaffirming its position as a key player in the UAE’s rapidly advancing educational landscape.

Khalifa University’s commitment to academic excellence is evident not only in its impressive subject rankings but also in its rapid ascent in global university rankings. For the first time, its Computer Science program has broken into the 176-200 range, while Physical Sciences also saw an uplift. Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, expressed the institution’s pride in these results, saying, “This recognition validates our dedication to excelling across all academic disciplines, aligning with the UAE’s broader vision to lead globally in education and research.”

The university’s remarkable rise doesn’t stop there. In 2024, Khalifa University was ranked 27th globally in the THE Young University Rankings, a leap of 22 positions from the previous year, making it the top-ranked university in the MENA region. These rankings, which assess universities aged 50 years or younger, highlight Khalifa’s fast-growing influence and its ability to compete with global academic heavyweights.

Khalifa University’s ascent in the Asia University Rankings for 2024 is equally noteworthy, having moved up five spots to claim the 40th position in Asia and the number one spot in the UAE. Furthermore, it ranks second among Arab universities in this category. The institution’s growth reflects its continuous efforts to enhance its academic offerings and foster an environment of innovation and collaboration. The university boasts three highly regarded colleges—the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, the College of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, and the College of Medicine and Health Sciences—alongside 12 Core Research Centres, all of which contribute to its expanding academic footprint.

In a further testament to its excellence, Khalifa University’s Petroleum Engineering department was ranked 8th globally in the 2023 QS World University Rankings by Subject for Engineering and Technology. The department is known for its forward-thinking curriculum that combines the fundamentals of petroleum engineering with a focus on the business processes critical to field development and operations. Additionally, Khalifa’s Electrical and Electronics Engineering program ranks 99th globally, securing its place among the top 100.

As Khalifa University continues to break new ground, it solidifies its role as a key institution shaping the future of higher education, not only in the UAE but on the global stage.

Robotex Cyprus Winners Secure Spots At Global Finals As Festival Showcases The Future Of Robotics

Robotex Cyprus 2026 attracted thousands of visitors to the University of Cyprus Sports Centre on June 27 and 28, reinforcing its position as the island’s largest robotics and STEAM event.

A National Platform For Innovation

The ninth Robotex Cyprus Educational and Sports Robotics Competition brought together around 700 participants, including school pupils, university students and adults, who competed in more than 20 robotics challenges designed to test engineering, programming, problem-solving and teamwork skills.

The event also highlighted the government’s focus on digital innovation. Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou addressed participants through a message delivered by the ministry’s Director of Cybersecurity, Marios Tziapouras. Research and Innovation Foundation Vice-President Andreas Efstathiou also attended, reflecting the organisation’s role as Diamond Sponsor and its support for developing Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem.

Opening remarks were delivered by Chrysis Georgiou, Chairman of the University of Cyprus Department of Computer Science, and Fotini Georgiou, a member of the Robotex Cyprus Scientific Committee and board member of IET Cyprus, representing the event’s co-organisers.

Cyprus Strengthens Its International Role

Robotex International CEO Nathan Metsala attended the festival, highlighting Cyprus’ long-standing role in the competition’s global network. Cyprus was the first country to establish Robotex as a national competition, while Metsala announced that the 2026 Robotex International finals will be hosted in South Korea—the first time the event will take place outside Estonia.

Winning teams from Cyprus have now qualified for the international finals, continuing the country’s strong record in recent editions of the competition.

Robotics Meets Real-World Challenges

This year’s primary school teams developed projects under the theme “Sustainable Development, Green Island,” with many incorporating artificial intelligence to tackle environmental challenges.

Across the two-day event, competitors took part in disciplines including Line Following, Folkrace, Maze Solving, Bowling, Archery, SUMO robot battles, Rally and robotic shot put, alongside two drone competitions focused on autonomous flight and programming.

The annual Girls Firefighting competition also returned, supporting greater participation of girls in STEAM education.

Technology Beyond The Competition

Alongside the contests, visitors explored a wide range of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. STEAM Cyprus showcased Drone Soccer, while the Planetarium team introduced new demonstrations focused on space, astronomy and AI applications.

The programme also featured the popular Human versus Robot chess challenge, organised with the KAISSA Chess Club, where SenseRobot competed against visitors of different ages and skill levels.

Throughout the weekend, participants experienced virtual reality, 3D printing and robotics demonstrations, while Robo.com.cy presented two Cyprus-developed products, Kypruino and RoboRover Core, and operated the technical support centre for competing teams.

A Growing Ecosystem

Robotex Cyprus was organised by the Cyprus Computer Society in cooperation with the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus Youth Organisation and IET Cyprus, under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

Support came from a broad network of public and private organisations, including the Research and Innovation Foundation, the Bank of Cyprus, XM, Neapolis University, Novatex Solutions, ZEBRA Consultants, NETinfo and ICDL. Organisers also confirmed that secondary school students will continue to have access to scholarship opportunities through partnerships with several universities.

With growing international recognition, strong participation and an expanding focus on artificial intelligence and real-world problem solving, Robotex Cyprus continues to evolve beyond a robotics competition into one of the country’s leading platforms for nurturing future engineers, innovators and technology leaders. The next milestone for this year’s winners will be the Robotex Cyprus Awards Ceremony in October.

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