The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), the first graduate-level, research-based artificial intelligence (AI) university in the world, has received immediate interest from graduate students across the globe, with 3,200 starting the application process, including 1,681 potential students in the last step of their application process and 234 completing their applications within the first week of the University’s launch on October 16, 2019.
The majority of applications were received from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Egypt, India, and China.
Commenting on the widespread interest in the University, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Chairman of the MBZUAI Board of Trustees, said: “The level of interest in such a short time is a very encouraging sign. MBZUAI is attracting prospective students from around the world, affirming the UAE leadership’s vision of investing in human potential and enabling societies through knowledge and education to find practical solutions to some of the biggest challenges in the world, and further establishing the UAE and Abu Dhabi as a global hub for innovation and higher education.”
Professor Sir Michael Brady, Interim President of MBZUAI, said: “It is gratifying that there has already been such a strong expression of interest so quickly after the announcement. This reaffirms our belief that there is a need for MBZUAI, as the world’s first higher education institution dedicated to artificial intelligence. MBZUAI will train future leaders in the field while consolidating its role as a world-class force in AI research.”
MBZUAI will offer Master of Science (MSc) and PhD level programs in key areas of AI – Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Natural Language Processing – while also engaging policymakers and businesses around the world so that AI is harnessed responsibly as a force for positive transformation.
The University will provide all admitted students with a full scholarship, plus benefits such as a monthly allowance, health insurance, and accommodation. MBZUAI will work with leading local and global companies to secure internships, and will also assist students in finding employment opportunities.
Graduate students can apply to MBZUAI via the University’s website. The first class will commence coursework at the University’s Masdar City campus in September 2020.
To be eligible to study at MBZUAI, graduate students must meet the following criteria:
| MSc Programs: | PhD Programs: |
| · Completed Degree: Bachelor of Science or equivalent from an accredited university or college recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education. | · Completed Degree: Master of Science or equivalent from an accredited university or college recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education. |
| · Academic Transcripts: Student should be amongst the top 20% of the class. A minimum CGPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale), or equivalent. | · Academic Transcripts: Student should be amongst the top 20% of the class. A minimum CGPA of 3.2 (on a 4.0 scale), or equivalent. |
| · English Language: Internet-based TOEFL: Minimum overall score of 90, with 20 or above in each element, taken in one sitting, or IELTS (academic): Minimum grade of 6.5, with 6.0 or above in each element, taken in one sitting. | · English Language: Internet-based TOEFL: Minimum overall score of 90, with 20 or above in each element, taken in one sitting, or IELTS (academic): Minimum grade of 6.5, with 6.0 or above in each element, taken in one sitting. |
| · Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General score is a plus and would be considered in the evaluation of the applicants. (optional) | · Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General score is a plus and would be considered in the evaluation of the applicants. (optional) |
| · Statement of Purpose | · Statement of Purpose |
| · Research proposal |
