Khalifa University welcomed 477 new undergraduate, preparatory and graduate students for the 2015-16 academic year. This represents the largest intake of new students since the University was created by a Decree in 2008 in Abu Dhabi. This new intake represents the rapid growth of the University as it prepares to open its new Abu Dhabi campus in 2016 and as it expands its undergraduate and graduate program offerings. Just this year the University has begun offering a B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics and Statistics with optional concentrations in Financial Mathematics/Mathematical Biology, in addition to having achieved ABET accreditation for six of its other undergraduate engineering programs.

The vast majority of the new students, 423, were admitted into undergraduate programs and 54 students were admitted into graduate programs, including the Masters programs in International and Civil Security, Nuclear Engineering, Information Security and various engineering specialisations. Of the incoming graduate students, 18 matriculated into the University's PhD in Engineering Program, which offers the option to specialise in Electrical and Computer, Mechanical, Aerospace, Biomedical, Nuclear, or Robotics Engineering.

"We're very pleased with our admissions this year," said Dr. Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University. "It's always wonderful to see the university continue to grow and thrive, and to welcome new, ambitious students to our community. In addition to accepting more students, we are also noticing an increase in the quality of the students we are admitting. There have been great improvements in English language skills, knowledge of mathematics, physics and chemistry, and study skills. This certainly speaks to the increased popularity of Khalifa University among top students in the country. We are also very pleased to see that some of the incoming graduate students came from international destinations the US, Europe, and the Far East. Although more work remains on this front, it is important also that the university increasingly expand its reputation internationally, and this is a good signal for that."

Dr. Arif Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President of Khalifa University, said, "The increase in students shows a demand for science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs in the country, and this is a testament to the vision of the leaders of the UAE, who have placed such a high priority in these subjects. Science, technology and engineering will spur future progress in this country, and ensure that the UAE will always be a centre of innovation and excellence. Khalifa University aims to be a hub for the kind of innovation and research that will drive forward the UAE's economy and provide the human capital needed to fuel it."