Dubai International Academic City University Partners Lead Transformative Shift in UAE Education Sector with New Academic Programmes

Students considering higher education in the UAE will have access to 60 new bachelor’s, master’s and PhD programmes this year, as Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) ramps up its efforts to align its educational offerings with evolving market trends and demand for industry-specific skills.

Furthermore, DIAC has added four leading higher education institutions – Curtin University, University of Birmingham, Abu Dhabi University Dubai Campus (ADU) and United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) Dubai Campus – to its portfolio of quality academic partners. 

With the new additions, including 16 bachelor’s degrees, 39 master’s degrees and five PhD degrees, the 27 academic institutions based at DIAC now offer 487 higher education programmes – a significant increase on the 427 programmes available in the previous academic year.

Speaking on the new degree programmes, Mohammad Abdullah, Managing Director of DIAC and DKP, said: “To equip future generations with the right sets of skills and knowledge, universities need to step up their contribution to shaping the future workforce through setting benchmarks in innovation. In response to the growing demand for highly qualified professionals among employers, the new programmes we offer this academic year demonstrate our commitment to adapting our methods to the needs of our students as well as the job market.”

He added: “In line with our leadership’s priorities in the education sphere, DIAC is dedicated to empowering students to build skills that align with high-impact sectors of local and global relevance, and advancing the UAE’s vision of developing a diversified, innovation-focused economy. The four new universities opening their campuses on our premises this year perfectly complement our diverse academic community.”

Recognised for its strong industry connections, high-impact research and wide range of innovative courses, the University of Birmingham and Curtin University offer degrees in International Business, Media and Computer Science, whereas, Abu Dhabi University’s Dubai Campus will offer degrees in Business, Engineering, Project Management and Education.

Daniel Adkins, Chief Executive Officer, Transnational Academic Group Middle East, Education Management Services Provider for Curtin University Dubai, said: “The future of humanity will be built on hard sciences, computer software, and all types of engineering. Thus, through market research, Curtin Dubai has chosen programmes that align with the UAE's vision and provide the UAE with the human capital it requires to fulfil its vision.”

Dr Ibrahim Sidawi, Director of ADU’s Dubai Campus, said: “Our newly launched campus in Dubai is a valuable addition that will enrich the local and regional higher educational landscape. ADU's portfolio of postgraduate programs are benchmarked to international standards and cover a range of emerging topics in different fields to qualify students to be future industry leaders, thereby realising the vision of the nation’s wise leadership in transforming the UAE into a global hub for higher education.”

Established higher education institutions at DIAC have further enhanced their offerings with new programmes specialising in healthcare, sustainability, data science and innovation, among other strategic sectors.

The University of Manchester Middle East Centre has introduced a range of industry-led part-time master’s programmes, such as the MSc in International Healthcare Leadership, to the region. The blended learning programme is designed to equip managers with the latest knowledge and best practice in global healthcare, and to facilitate skill transfer from experienced leaders to the healthcare economy. In addition, the new MSc in Occupational Medicine targets doctors interested in areas such as fitness for work and workplace risk management.

Meanwhile, the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) has launched the Master of Business in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, designed for individuals aspiring to pursue a career in innovation-related roles within government entities, businesses or non-profit organisations. Developed around a business platform that incorporates leadership, people management and the dissemination of innovative practices, graduates emerge with the necessary skills to create a culture of innovation within their organisations and better manage employees tasked with shaping innovation strategies.

In line with international benchmarks, British University in Dubai’s (BUiD) new MBA programme with a specialisation in Sustainability, is contributing to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) through various courses, trainings and research and is playing an active role in shaping national development awareness programmes.

Boasting the highest number of international branch campuses in the world, the UAE ranks among the best countries for international higher education according to a recent report by the British Council, titled The Shape of Global Higher Education. Notably, the country has earned second place in the quality assurance and degree recognition category.