Engineering the Future: How Middle Eastern Universities Are Shaping AI and Tech Talent (BSc, MSc & PhD)

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Engineering the Future: How Middle Eastern Universities Are Shaping AI and Tech Talent (BSc, MSc & PhD)

Degrees Comparisons

Engineering the Future: How Middle Eastern Universities Are Shaping AI and Tech Talent (BSc, MSc & PhD)

October 11, 2025

The Middle East has emerged as a hub for engineering and technology education, dispelling old stereotypes about the region. In recent years its universities have climbed global rankings and built world-class research facilities. For example, Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa University “has ranked among the top institutions in the UAE for eight years in a row” and hosts leading specialized research centers in engineering and health sciences. Governments across the region are investing heavily in STEM education. Vision 2030 initiatives in Saudi Arabia and UAE, for instance, pledge billions of dollars in AI infrastructure, research, and talent development. This strategic push is evident in flagship projects: Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) was created as a graduate-level AI institute “aspiring to be the ‘Stanford of the Middle East’”, and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has established a Center of Excellence in Generative AI. As a result, the region now hosts major degree programs in engineering, computer science, robotics, data science, and AI at all levels (BSc, MSc, PhD), aimed at both local and international students.

National AI Initiatives and Research Leadership

The UAE and Saudi Arabia are leading the way with national AI strategies that integrate education and research. In Abu Dhabi, MBZUAI (founded 2019) now enrolls 700+ students and alumni from 49 countries, all on full scholarships. It offers only MSc and PhD programs focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning, and its faculty collaborate closely with industry (e.g. UAE tech firm G42) to develop large-scale AI models. MBZUAI’s rapid rise – it is already ranked among the top 20 universities worldwide in AI research topics reflects the UAE’s strategy to make AI a cornerstone of its non-oil economy (the government predicts AI could account for 20% of non-oil GDP by 2031).

Saudi Arabia has similarly aligned its universities with Vision 2030. KAUST, for example, is home to a Generative AI Center of Excellence that targets applications of AI to national priorities like energy, health, and education. KAUST’s Computer Science program “is at the forefront of advancing AI and machine learning, with research spanning foundational theories and transformative applications”, including scalable neural networks and automated decision systems. Meanwhile King Saud University (Riyadh) has launched a new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence explicitly “to reinforce [KSU’s] contribution to KSA Vision 2030”ccis.ksu.edu.sa. Overall, Saudi Arabia has committed roughly $20 billion by 2030 to build AI infrastructure and talent, signaling the region’s deep commitment to tech leadership.

Leading Institutions and Programs

Across the Middle East, many universities now offer cutting-edge engineering and AI programs:

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia) – A graduate-focused research university on the Red Sea coast. KAUST offers BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in computer science and engineering. Its Computer Science faculty lead research in machine learning (neural networks, optimization, generative AI) and some of the world’s foremost AI experts (e.g. Jürgen Schmidhuber) are on the staff. In addition to AI, KAUST’s engineering departments pursue autonomous systems and robotics. A new Generative AI center there develops large-scale models tailored to the Gulf’s needs.
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM, Saudi Arabia) – The top-ranked engineering university in the region (QS Arab Rankings 2025 #1, QS World #67). KFUPM offers a full slate of STEM degrees (BSc/MSc/PhD) in petroleum, chemical, electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering. Its curriculum explicitly integrates AI and computing: “AI is part of every undergraduate student’s curriculum” alongside electives in cloud computing and cybersecurity. KFUPM’s research centers tackle topics like robotics, sustainable energy and smart infrastructure, reflecting a broad push into intelligent systems and next-generation engineering.
King Saud University (KSU, Saudi Arabia) – One of the kingdom’s largest public universities. KSU’s College of Computer and Information Sciences now offers a dedicated MSc in Artificial Intelligence (launched 2024) designed to train experts for Vision 2030 projectsccis.ksu.edu.sa. Like KFUPM, KSU runs extensive BSc and PhD programs in computer science and engineering, and its new AI graduate program highlights the region’s educational emphasis on machine learning, data science and AI.
Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI (MBZUAI, UAE) – A graduate-only university in Abu Dhabi devoted entirely to AI and related fields. MBZUAI offers only MSc and PhD degrees in AI subfields (machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, etc.). It provides all students with full scholarships and state-of-the-art resources. In just a few years MBZUAI has become a nexus for AI education in the Middle East, attracting top faculty worldwide and collaborating on industry-scale AI models.
Khalifa University (KU, UAE) – A research university in Abu Dhabi with strong engineering and applied sciences programs. KU consistently tops national rankings and “has some of the best specialised research centres in the region for engineering”. It offers BSc, MSc, PhD degrees across electrical, mechanical, materials and computer engineering. KU has launched master’s and PhD programs in AI and robotics, and hosts the UAE’s Madinah Center for AI Research and others, underlining Abu Dhabi’s focus on AI talent.
American University in Cairo (AUC, Egypt) – A leading private university in Cairo. AUC’s School of Sciences and Engineering provides BSc degrees in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and more, taught in English. The BSc in Computer Engineering explicitly lists Artificial Intelligence as a specialization. AUC also offers graduate engineering degrees; for example, it has a Master of Engineering in Robotics, Control, and Smart Systems and a corresponding MSc track. In 2024 AUC added a cybersecurity specialization to its CS&E curriculum, joining existing AI and embedded systems tracks. These programs are supported by modern labs (e.g. AUC’s mechatronics and intelligent systems labs) where students build autonomous robots and smart devices.

Figure: Students in AUC’s Robotics, Control and Smart Systems graduate program (AUC Mechatronics Lab). AUC offers specialized programs in robotics and AI, such as an MEng in Robotics with state-of-the-art labs.
American University of Beirut (AUB, Lebanon) – A top-ranked liberal-arts research university in Beirut (QS Arab Region #6). AUB offers BS (or BE) degrees in Computer Science and Engineering. It recently launched a new Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science & Engineering (BE in CSE). AUB’s undergraduate CS curriculum is complemented by minors (e.g. in Data Science, AI) and its graduate school offers MS programs in fields like electrical and computer engineering. Notably, AUB also created an online Graduate Diploma in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, billed as “the first of its kind in the MENA region,” to provide a regionally-focused, ethics-integrated AI curriculum to professionals.
German Jordanian University (GJU, Jordan) – A distinctive public university in Amman that partners with German institutions. GJU offers applied engineering programs (Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, etc.) with modern curricula. It has introduced specialized tracks (e.g. Mechatronics with an Applied AI concentration) that combine practical IoT, robotics, and AI training. (While specific program pages are not quoted here, GJU is widely known for dual-degree engineering education tailored to industry.)
Sultan Qaboos University (SQU, Oman) – Oman’s premier public university, ranked #8 in the QS Arab Region 2025. SQU offers comprehensive degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Its engineering college covers civil, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, and its computer science department offers BSc, MSc and PhD in CS. All of SQU’s STEM programs are taught in English, making them accessible to international students as well.

Other notable institutions include Qatar’s Education City campuses (e.g. Carnegie Mellon and Texas A&M branch campuses offering MSc/PhD in CS), Israel’s leading tech universities (e.g. Technion, Tel Aviv University), and various Gulf institutions (e.g. University of Sharjah, UAE University) that have expanded STEM offerings. However, the examples above illustrate the depth and diversity of programs across the Middle East.

Degree Levels and Specializations

Middle Eastern universities now cover the full spectrum of STEM degree levels:

Undergraduate (BSc/BS/BE) programs in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, etc., are widely available. Many of these include AI-related content or tracks. For example, AUC’s BSc in Computer Engineering explicitly lists Artificial Intelligence as one of its specializations, and KFUPM integrates AI, cloud computing and cybersecurity modules into its core undergraduate curriculum. Programs are typically delivered in English (see, e.g., AUB and KFUPM) to attract international students.
Master’s (MSc/MEng/MComp) programs have been rapidly expanding in AI and related fields. Many universities offer generic CS or engineering MS degrees, but specialized options are proliferating. KAUST, for example, offers MS degrees in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering where students can focus on machine learning or robotics. AUC offers a Master of Engineering in Robotics, Control and Smart Systems to train engineers in automation and intelligent robotics. King Saud University’s new MSc in Artificial Intelligence trains AI specialists for industry and researchccis. MBZUAI provides only advanced AI degrees (MSc and PhD) with intensive research. Additionally, regionally-focused programs have appeared: AUB’s online AI & Data Science Professional Diploma covers AI concepts with an ethical and Arabic-language emphasis – an example of a new credential aimed at working professionals.
Doctoral (PhD) opportunities are abundant at research-intensive universities. KAUST, KFUPM, KSU, AUB, AUC and others all offer PhD programs in engineering, CS, and AI-related disciplines. Many PhD students receive full funding (especially at KAUST and MBZUAI). PhD research topics reflect regional priorities: e.g. renewable energy systems, intelligent transportation, machine learning for sustainability, and Arabic natural language processing. The presence of senior AI researchers (e.g. Jürgen Schmidhuber at KAUST) and national centers (like KAUST’s GenAI Center) ensures a high level of doctoral mentorship.
Emerging Specializations: In response to industry demand, several new fields are explicitly taught. Robotics and Mechatronics curricula have grown (AUC’s robotics program; GJU’s Mechatronics offering), often including autonomous systems and AI modules. Data Science and Machine Learning have become separate tracks or minors; for example, AUB and KFUPM both emphasize data science in their computer science programs. Cybersecurity is another emerging track – AUC recently introduced a cybersecurity specialization alongside AI and embedded-systems tracks, preparing students for digital infrastructure protection. Intelligent systems and IoT themes permeate electrical and mechanical engineering programs, aligning with Gulf initiatives in smart cities and industry 4.0.

Conclusion

In summary, Middle Eastern universities now provide a rich landscape of engineering, computer science and AI education. From well-established BSc programs (often ABET-accredited) to cutting-edge graduate research, the region offers a diversity of pathways for both local and international students. With strong government backing and global partnerships, these institutions are positioning the Middle East as a regional leader in training the next generation of engineers and AI specialists.