Egypt's Al Azhar University will open a branch in the UAE, said undersecretary of Al Azhar Dr Abbas Shuman Wednesday.

Grand Imam of Al Azhar Dr Ahmed el Tayyeb and head of the UAE's General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments Dr Mohamed Mattar al Kueibi signed an agreement to that effect, Shuman said.

It is the first time Al Azhar has agreed to open a branch of its university outside Egypt, the undersecretary said, pointing to numerous calls to establish more overseas branches.

The agreement comes as part of cooperation between Al Azhar and the general authority in the UAE, Shuman noted.

The UAE is a big supporter of Al Azhar, he said.