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General UAE Legal Questions LawLaw No. (13) of 2025

Dubai Law·13 of 2025

قانون رقم (13) لسنة 2025 بتعديل القانون رقم (13) لسنة 2009 بإنشاء جامعة حمدان الذكية

Authoritative Arabic version per the official UAE Legislation portal

Issued Date
September 11, 2025
Effective from
Not stated in this law
Articles
7
Last synced
Oct 19, 2026
Download PDFOfficial source

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Article-level text

Key Articles

7 articles

  1. 1

    Article 1

    Article (1) Articles (5), (6), (11), (12), and (15) of the Original Law are hereby superseded by the following: Objectives of the HBMSU

  2. 2

    Article 2

    Article (2) This Law comes into force on the day on which it is issued, and will be published in the Official Gazette. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Ruler of Dubai Issued in Dubai on 11 September 2025 Corresponding to 19 Rabi al-Awwal 1447 A.H.

    -- 6 of 6 --

  3. 5

    Article 5

    Article (5) The HBMSU has the following objectives: 1. to provide high-quality academic programmes that are consistent with the requirements of the digital economy through the use of digital means; 2. to contribute to meeting the requirements of comprehensive development at the local, regional, and international levels by strengthening local, regional, and international partnerships in digital education; 3. to contribute to shaping the future of digital education and positioning the Emirate as a leading academic hub for digital education; and ©2026 The Supreme Legislation Committee in the Emirate of Dubai 1 Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.

    -- 1 of 6 --

    Law No. (13) of 2025 Amending Law No. (13) of 2009 Establishing the Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University Page 2 of 6 4. to innovate in the provision of digital educational methods, resources, and an enabling environment for conducting supporting scientific research. Functions of the HBMSU

  4. 6

    Article 6

    Article (6) For the purpose of achieving its objectives, the HBMSU will have the duties and powers to: 1. develop and implement high-quality, specialised academic programmes that enhance the quality of academic and digital education; 2. award academic degrees to students who successfully complete approved study programmes; 3. confer academic degrees on faculty members of the HBMSU or on persons who conduct research approved by the HBMSU, in accordance with the rules and standards adopted by the HBMSU; 4. provide lifelong learning opportunities across various academic disciplines, with a view to supporting professional development aligned with the needs of society; 5. encourage scientific and academic research, with a focus on applied research required by comprehensive development plans; and publish such research locally, regionally, and internationally; 6. strengthen and support scientific and cultural relations and ties with local, regional, and international universities and higher education institutions; 7. provide technical consultation and services, and conduct scientific research in various fields of science and technology; 8. adopt the latest digital education technologies and support infrastructure designed to meet students' evolving needs and to underpin the achievement of the HBMSU’s objectives; 9. organise conferences and seminars, and engage various sectors of society in the HBMSU’s activities; and 10. exercise any other duties or powers required to enable the HBMSU to achieve its objectives, as assigned to it by the President.

    -- 2 of 6 --

    Law No. (13) of 2025 Amending Law No. (13) of 2009 Establishing the Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University Page 3 of 6 Functions of the Board of Trustees

  5. 11

    Article 11

    Article (11) a. The Board of Trustees will exercise general oversight of the HBMSU’s exercise of its functions and powers under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate, with a view to achieving the objectives of the HBMSU. In particular, the Board of Trustees will have the duties and powers to: 1. approve the general policy of the HBMSU and submit the same to the President for final approval; 2. approve the strategic plans and work programmes of the HBMSU; 3. approve the organisational structure of the HBMSU and submit the same to the competent entities in the Emirate for final approval; 4. approve the bylaws regulating the administrative, financial, and technical work of the HBMSU; 5. approve the bylaws governing the employment affairs of the HBMSU’s faculty and academic members; 6. approve the bylaws governing student affairs; 7. approve the draft annual budget and financial statements of the HBMSU, and submit the same to the competent entities in the Emirate for final approval; 8. approve the awarding of academic degrees in accordance with the academic pathways prescribed for each academic programme, in accordance with the standards and requirements approved by the competent entities in the UAE; 9. approve the annual report on the activities and achievements of the HBMSU; 10. approve the establishment, merger, or closure of the HBMSU’s colleges and scientific centres; 11. approve tuition fees and the revenues generated by the HBMSU from providing its services; 12. appoint external auditors, determine their remuneration, and review and approve their reports; and 13. exercise any other duties or powers required for the achievement of the objectives of the HBMSU, as assigned to it by the President.

    -- 3 of 6 --

    Law No. (13) of 2025 Amending Law No. (13) of 2009 Establishing the Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University Page 4 of 6 b. The Board of Trustees may delegate any of its powers stipulated in sub-paragraphs (a)(4), (a)(5), and (a)(6) of this Article to the Chancellor, provided that such delegation is specific and in writing. Functions of the Chancellor

  6. 12

    Article 12

    Article (12) a. The Chancellor will manage the HBMSU, will ensure that it is performing its functions and exercising its powers in an effective and efficient manner, and will be directly responsible to the Board of Trustees for performing the duties assigned to him under this Law, the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and other legislation in force in the Emirate. In particular, the Chancellor will have the duties and powers to: 1. follow up on the implementation of the resolutions and recommendations issued by the Board of Trustees; 2. propose the HBMSU’s general policy and submit the same to the Board of Trustees for approval; 3. propose the HBMSU’s strategic plans, and submit the same to the Board of Trustees for approval; 4. prepare the draft organisational structure, the general budget, and financial statements of the HBMSU; and submit the same to the Board of Trustees for approval; 5. approve the annual operational plans and performance indicators for the HBMSU’s academic programmes and projects, as well as for its academic and administrative units; 6. supervise performance by the academic and administrative bodies of the HBMSU of their duties under this Law and the resolutions issued in pursuance hereof, and submit the relevant periodic reports to the Board of Trustees; 7. form permanent and temporary committees and work teams; and determine the duties, powers, and terms of reference of these committees and work teams; 8. prepare annual reports on the affairs, achievements, activities, and conduct of work at the HBMSU, and submit the same to the Board of Trustees for approval; 9. represent the HBMSU before third parties; and conclude the contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding required for the achievement of the objectives of the HBMSU; and

    -- 4 of 6 --

    Law No. (13) of 2025 Amending Law No. (13) of 2009 Establishing the Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University Page 5 of 6 10. exercise any other duties or powers related to the achievement of the objectives of the HBMSU, as assigned or delegated to him by the Board of Trustees. b. The Chancellor may delegate any of his powers under paragraph (a) of this Article to any of his deputies, provided that such delegation is specific and in writing. Functions of the Council

  7. 15

    Article 15

    Article (15) The Council will have the duties and powers to: 1. approve academic and administrative policies, as well as transformation projects that enhance the efficiency of the HBMSU’s operations; 2. approve the requirements for awarding academic degrees in accordance with the academic pathways prescribed for each academic programme; 3. approve academic courses, study programmes, and study plans of the HBMSU; 4. approve scientific research programmes and evaluate their outcomes and deliverables; 5. approve student admission rules, criteria, and requirements for transfer to and from the colleges of the HBMSU; 6. approve the HBMSU’s examination procedures, and monitor and ratify examination results; 7. propose the award of academic degrees to students in accordance with the academic pathways prescribed for each academic programme, and submit the same, through the Chancellor, to the Board of Trustees for approval; 8. propose the establishment, merger, or closure of the HBMSU’s colleges and scientific centres, and submit such proposals through the Chancellor to the Board of Trustees for approval; 9. confer academic degrees on faculty members of the HBMSU or on persons who conduct research approved by the HBMSU, in accordance with the relevant rules and standards approved by the Board of Trustees; 10. establish academic and professional associations, and approve the organisation of seminars and conferences, subject to the Chancellor’s approval and in accordance with the provisions of the applicable legislation; 11. approve the annual academic calendar;

    -- 5 of 6 --

    Law No. (13) of 2025 Amending Law No. (13) of 2009 Establishing the Hamdan bin Mohammed Smart University Page 6 of 6 12. monitor the HBMSU’s academic and research performance, and submit necessary improvement recommendations through the Chancellor to the Board of Trustees to issue the relevant directives as it deems appropriate; and 13. exercise any other duties or powers relevant to the academic fields of the HBMSU, and that contribute to achieving the objectives of the HBMSU, as assigned to it by the Chancellor or the Board of Trustees. Commencement and Publication

Note: This legislation is sourced from the Dubai Legislation Portal (dlp.dubai.gov.ae). The original Arabic text is the authoritative version.

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