Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has been ranked ninth globally on the "International Student Index" in Quacquarelli Symonds’ QS World University Rankings 2018 for its multicultural and international student body.

"This new accolade is a testament to the university’s success in creating a unique educational environment. The quality of our academic offerings combined with our keen interest to embrace cultural diversity attracted students of 70 nationalities from around the world, offering them the opportunity to interact, learn from each other, and develop a system of values that reflect the climate of tolerance and cultural cohesion of the UAE,” Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, chairman of ADU’s Executive Board was quoted as saying by Wam, the Emirates news agency.

He further pointed out that ADU is continuously developing and enhancing its strategy to ensure it offers innovative and internationally benchmarked programmes to its local and international students, in line with the vision of the UAE’s wise leadership to transform the nation into a global hub for quality higher education.

Since its inception, ADU has witnessed a steady increase in student enrolment. Upon its launch, the university registered 852 students across seven bachelor programmes a sharp contrast to the current figure of over 7,650 students who are pursuing their degrees in 40 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes offered across the university’s three campuses in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai.

QS World University Rankings is an annual publication by Quacquarelli Symonds. As the only ranking of its kind to have received the International Ranking Expert Group approval, it is one of the most prestigious rankings of educational institutions worldwide.