United Arab Emirates University (in Arabic:جامعة الإمارات العربية المتحدة) was established in 1976, and is the oldest of the three government-sponsored institutions of higher learning in the United Arab Emirates compared to the Higher Colleges of Technology and Zayed University. The university is located in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. The university - in theory - upholds a strict criteria for admission to UAE nationals only, unlike other multiethnic universities in the country. In practice however, student crowds are mixed with a focus on Gulf and other Arab nationals. The university is located in the city of Al Ain, an oasis city in the Abu Dhabi emirate approximately 140 km east of the capital city. United Arab Emirates University is the premier national university whose mission is to meet the educational and cultural needs of the UAE society by providing programs and services of the highest quality. Sadly, UAEU has proven itself to be a failure in providing for these needs. It contributes to the expansion of knowledge by conducting quality research and by developing and applying modern information technology.