Integrating Video Games into Undergraduate Education in the UAE: Faculty Perspectives and Implementation Strategies

This working paper summarizes a study on the adoption of video games as an educational tool in higher education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from faculty perspective concerning their awareness level, perspective on the impact of using video games, and their perspective on the limitations of its integration by highlighting new and existing gaps. The research involved a survey among faculty members teaching different programs in the Higher Colleges of Technology. The results showed that faculty have a moderate level of awareness of video games’ educational benefits, but face implementation challenges due to lack of professional development and technological support. Although results show that faculty are positive about its benefits for student engagement and learning, there are concerns about their readiness to use this technology, with many indicating a need for more comprehensive professional development and institutional support for an effective adoption in the UAE’s higher education field.