The Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training, known as CERT, the education and training arm of Capital H Group, has signed an agreement with TOEFL to provide the academic English proficiency test through CERT’s assessment center network in the United Arab Emirates.
Under the agreement, the TOEFL iBT will be offered at six CERT centers, expanding TOEFL test locations in the UAE and giving students more options to take the exam within the country, particularly those applying to universities and educational institutions that require or accept English language proficiency test results.
Making the test available through these centers is expected to support students looking for places to take the TOEFL exam in the UAE, while also making it easier to access one of the tests used as part of admission procedures at a large number of higher education institutions around the world.
CERT has been active in education and training since its establishment in 1996, providing programs linked to the needs of institutions and the labor market, in addition to working with government entities, private organizations, and educational institutions across the UAE and the wider region.
Expanding Options for Students in the UAE
The TOEFL iBT measures reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills in academic contexts and is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and institutions in over 160 countries, according to information included in the announcement. More than 40 million people have taken the test since its launch.
Expanding access to the test in the UAE is expected to give students greater flexibility in reaching assessment centers and taking the exam, especially those planning to continue their studies in English-taught university programs either in the UAE or abroad.
Offering the TOEFL iBT through six CERT centers is also expected to make the testing process more accessible and provide additional options for students who need to demonstrate their English proficiency as part of academic admission requirements.
CERT’s Network of Centers Across the UAE
CERT operates a network of assessment and training centers in several cities across the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Ajman, Ruwais, and Madinat Zayed, according to locations published on its testing platforms. The network includes the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training, CERT, affiliated with the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi; Dubai Men’s College; Al Ain Men’s College; Fujairah Men’s College; Ras Al Khaimah Men’s College; Sharjah Training and Development Centre; Sharjah Men’s College; the National Training Center in Ajman; Ruwais College; and the Higher Colleges of Technology Al Dhafra campus in Madinat Zayed.
CERT: Supporting Higher Education Pathways
Khalid Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of CERT, said the agreement aims to increase options for students seeking to continue their studies inside and outside the UAE, explaining that making the test available through a wider network of centers comes as part of the center’s efforts to provide pathways linked to higher education and academic admission requirements.
He added that the step comes as investment in education and skills development continues across the UAE, increasing the need to provide recognized assessment tools accepted by universities and educational institutions in a large number of countries.
The agreement also strengthens CERT’s role in providing education and training services connected to the needs of students and institutions, while giving those planning to take the TOEFL exam more options to access testing centers in the UAE.
The First Phase of Cooperation With TOEFL
David Hand, Vice President at TOEFL, said the cooperation with CERT will allow the test to be offered more widely in the UAE, noting that the launch of six test centers within CERT’s network represents the first phase of the agreement.
He explained that the cooperation is based on CERT’s presence in the local education market and TOEFL’s expertise in assessing English language proficiency, with a focus on students applying to higher education institutions both in the UAE and abroad.
The launch of six centers in the first phase adds new options for students searching for TOEFL test locations in the UAE, particularly as demand grows for recognized English language tests used by universities and educational institutions.
A Recognized Test for University Admission
The TOEFL iBT is used by a number of universities as part of admission requirements or procedures for programs taught in English, providing an assessment of a candidate’s level across the four core language skills.
The TOEFL system is administered by ETS, an organization that works in educational testing and assessment and develops measurement tools related to education and skills.
The agreement comes at a time when the UAE is seeing continued growth in higher education programs and the presence of international university branches, alongside increased student mobility between institutions and education markets, which is driving demand for language tests used in university admission procedures.
