العربية
EnglishDubai to open 3 new international universities in 2025-2026, one of which is the Indian Institute of Management
In a move that further cements Dubai’s position as a global education hub, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has announced the opening of three prestigious international university branches for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The new additions include the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (ranked 27th globally for its MBA program by QS World University Rankings 2026), the American University of Beirut (ranked 237th globally), and Fakeeh College of Medical Sciences.
This initiative comes as Dubai continues to attract increasing interest from top-tier international universities looking to establish a presence in the emirate. Several applications are currently under review, pending final approvals.
According to Dr. Wafi Dawood, Executive Director of Strategy and Planning at KHDA, this project reflects the vision of Dubai’s leadership to position the city as a top destination for world-class higher education. The initiative aligns with Dubai’s Education Strategy 2033 and its broader economic and social agendas, aiming to increase educational tourism tenfold, enhance the global competitiveness of graduates, and contribute significantly to Dubai’s economic growth.
Licensed higher education institutions in Dubai saw a record 20% rise in student enrollment for the 2024-2025 academic year. The emirate now hosts 41 licensed universities, including 37 international branches, offering around 706 diverse academic programs to over 42,000 students.
Among these, the Dubai branches of the University of Manchester (ranked 35th globally) and University of Birmingham (76th globally) stand out. Curtin University – Dubai and University of Wollongong in Dubai are also ranked among the top 200 universities worldwide.
Several Dubai-based institutions rank highly in specific disciplines: London Business School (7th globally for Business), HEC Paris (54th), Luiss University (67th), and Istituto Marangoni (ranked 51–100 for Arts & Design).
The initiative targets having international students make up 50% of total enrollments by 2033, with the higher education sector contributing AED 5.6 billion directly to Dubai’s GDP, and placing the city among the world’s top 10 higher education destinations.
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