Dubai International Academic City continues to be the leader among UAE higher education facilities and attracts international universities and students worldwide.
It is located on the Dubai-Al Ain road and has turned into one of the most important educational facilities in Dubai.
What Is Dubai International Academic City?
DIAC is an educational free zone opened in 2007 by the TECOM Group to attract international universities, colleges, research centers, and other educational providers.
Today, DIAC accommodates more than 27 international universities that offer their students over 500 programs, which include:
- Business and Management
- Engineering and Technology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Healthcare and Medical Sciences
- Media and Communication
- Design and Creative Industries
- Hospitality and Tourism
The number of DIAC students exceeds 27,000, and they represent more than 150 nationalities.
Major Universities Located in Dubai International Academic City
DIAC hosts branch campuses of some of the best universities in the world.
They are:
- The University of Birmingham Dubai
- Heriot-Watt University Dubai
- Middlesex University Dubai
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai
- BITS Pilani Dubai Campus
- Murdoch University Dubai
- University of Wollongong in Dubai
- SP Jain School of Global Management
Importance of DIAC for Dubai’s Economy
As we see, the presence of such universities and other academic institutions helps in forming Dubai as a modern innovation-driven city.
Indeed, Dubai International Academic City facilitates:
- Attraction of foreign academic institutions
- Developing a skilled and talented workforce
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Development of a knowledge economy
- Creating opportunities for foreign students and businesses
It should be noted that Dubai’s leaders actively invests in the development of higher education, technology, and innovation sectors as it is crucial for implementing its plan for building a global center of innovation and advanced industries.
According to DIAC, the number of enrollments into higher education in Dubai is going to grow significantly until 2030 as the demand for international education grows throughout the region.
Business Opportunities Available in Dubai International Academic City
Besides universities, Dubai International Academic City also has numerous opportunities for launching businesses in the following sectors:
- Educational technologies
- Corporate Training
- Academic consulting
- Research and development
- Media and creative industries
- Freelancing
Dubai International Academic City provides:
- 100 percent foreign ownership
- Office space
- Coworking offices
- Incubator for startups
- Retail and commercial premises
- Business registration services
Moreover, DIAC’s collaboration with in5 innovation centers and GoFreelance projects make it interesting for entrepreneurs and freelancers who want to open business in Dubai.
Reasons Why International Students Opt for Studying in Dubai
We can add Dubai to the list of popular cities for international students due to its convenient location, security, business environment, and developed infrastructure.
DIAC states that the following advantages make students choose Dubai:
- Globally recognized universities
- Multicultural environment
- High security
- Good career opportunities
- Opportunity to get acquainted with foreign businesses
- Well-developed transportation and infrastructures
At the same time, Dubai functions as a gate to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Therefore, it is a perfect starting point for both students and businesses aiming to work on international markets.
Future Development of Dubai International Academic City
In the future, the Dubai International Academic City may have significant development as the demand for education related to artificial intelligence, technology, and digital transformation rises.
Some recent news about DIAC demonstrates an increased interest towards:
- Artificial intelligence programs
- Executive education
- Digital transformation courses
- Innovation-driven academic cooperation
The upcoming expansion of Dubai Metro Blue Line will help even more to transport students and business people to Academic City.
Conclusion
To sum up, we can say that Dubai International Academic City has become one of the most important free zones for educational and business activities in the UAE.
With the presence of world-class universities, innovation centers, business incubators, and opportunities to start a business in Dubai, DIAC helps Dubai in forming itself as an innovative destination for higher education and knowledge-based industries.
With regard to the rapid development of Dubai and its digital transformation, Dubai International Academic City is going to play an important role in its educational strategy.