UAE - A recent shake up in the United Arab Emirate's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has left many local academics uncertain about the future of higher-education leadership in the Gulf country.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, who led the ministry for more than 20 years, stepped down from the position last week as part of a general cabinet reshuffling. He will move to another cabinet position and will keep control of the three federal universities, which one source called "his babies." Sheikh Hamdan, Nahyan's younger brother and the minister of public works since 2004, has succeeded him as head of higher education.

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