Knowledge and Human Development Authority

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is the educational quality assurance and regulatory authority of the Government of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It oversees the private education sector in Dubai, including early childhood education centres, schools, higher education providers, and training institutes.

KHDA was established by decree in 2006, under the directive of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and the Ruler of Dubai), with the aim of developing the education and human resource sectors in the Dubai emirate to the level of international standards and best practice.

Rather than checking stand-alone accreditation for higher education institutions like the UAE Commission for Academic Accreditation, the KHDA checks for equivalence with the same course at another institution (normally abroad). It covers the academic free zones in Dubai, such as Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Village.