Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of Dubai National University with an initial investment of Dh4.5 billion.
The university will offer specialised, future-focused academic programmes, and aims to rank among the world’s top 50 universities during the next decade.
Writing on his X account, Sheikh Mohammed said: “Brothers and sisters, today we are launching a new project as part of our efforts to advance education in our country — the Dubai National University, with an initial investment of Dh4.5 billion.”
He emphasised the key goal of establishing Dubai National University with an Emirati identity and world-class programmes, aiming to position it among the top universities for research excellence.
“The university aims to rank among the top 50 young universities during the next decade. It will offer specialised, future-focused academic programmes and strive to be among the best universities in research contributions. The university’s identity will be Emirati with world-class academic its programmes to serve our development goals,” Sheikh Mohammed remarked.
He added: “The world is changing rapidly, and the real challenge is to create generations capable of understanding these changes and using them to build a better future for us and our nation.”
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, is the Supreme President of the University, while Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, is its Vice President.
Sheikh Hamdan said: “Dubai continues, under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to proactively drive human development and enhance its world-class infrastructure for higher education and scientific research. Empowering academic talent is essential for cultivating highly competent leaders who can pioneer future sectors, lead innovation, steer R&D, accelerate economic and social development, and ultimately continue to drive Dubai’s transformation.”
He added: “Dubai National University will develop local talent, attract global expertise, and foster academic collaboration with institutions, research centres, and experts worldwide, embodying Dubai’s dynamic innovation ecosystem. It will support our knowledge community, contribute to shaping our future, and advance Dubai’s goal to become one of the world’s top 10 cities for education over the next decade.”
Sheikh Maktoum said: “Universities, as research centres, play a fundamental role in economic development. They help to enhance competitiveness, support growth, create new paths for diversification, expand the horizons of knowledge-based economies and uncover new opportunities.”
He added: “Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, universities in Dubai have evolved into hubs of economic development and incubators for innovation. Dubai National University contributes to the Dubai Economic Agenda 33, aiming to position the emirate as a global leader in higher education. It will nurture local and global talents, empowering young generations with entrepreneurial skills to create global impact.”
Sheikh Mohammed issued a decree forming the university’s board of trustees and its consultative board. The aim of establishing the university is to make Dubai among the world’s top 10 cities in quality of education.
The board of trustees will be chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. The board includes six members, namely Omar Sultan Al Olama, Helal Saeed Al Marri, Aisha Abdullah Miran, Ahmad Bin Byat, Eisa Kazem and Dr. Alawi Al Sheikh Ali.
The consultative board includes Dr Mohammed El Erian, Professor Fadel Adib, Saeb Dagher and Fadi Ghandour.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed said: “Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a beacon of knowledge and a destination for researchers, innovators, and those committed to academic and intellectual pursuits that benefit humanity. Establishing a comprehensive knowledge-based economy has always been a top priority for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Today, we announce the founding of Dubai National University, a significant addition to our global contribution to academic knowledge and scientific research.”
He added: “Human development has always characterised Dubai’s success story. Institutions like Dubai National University nurture minds, build capacities, refine skills, empower talents, stimulate innovations, and prepare future leaders who are capable of creating opportunities, anticipating change, and shaping future sectors. We look forward to the university playing a central role in preparing a highly capable generation, attracting exceptional minds and outstanding students from the UAE and around the world.”
Dr Mohamed El-Erian is an internationally celebrated economist who received the Arab Excellence Award in the field of economics. He is the President of Queens’ College at the University of Cambridge and an advisor to the National Bureau of Economic Research. He served as Chairman of the Global Development Council for five years and was selected by the Foreign Policy Index as one of the top 100 global thinkers for four consecutive years. He has published numerous works and writes for major global economic and financial journals. He has made significant contributions to global economic development and developed effective economic theories to enhance the resilience of both developing and advanced economies.
Saeb Eigner
Saeb Eigner has been a board member of the Dubai International Financial Centre since 2004. He also served as Chairman of the Dubai Financial Services Authority for 10 years, from 2011 to 2021. He is the founder of Lone World and the founding Chairman of the Regional Advisory Board of London Business School, as well as the President of the Alumni Association. He is a former member of the World Economic Forum’s Agenda Council in Davos. His interests also include the education and arts sectors. He is a senior advisor to the British Museum and has authored numerous books and publications.
Professor Fadel Adib
Professor Fadel Adib is a recipient of the Arab Excellence Award in the category of technology and engineering, recognised for his leadership in wireless technology and its applications. He was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. He is an Associate Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and was listed by MIT Technology Review among the top 35 innovators under the age of 35, and by Forbes among the top 30 innovators under 30 in technology. His innovations are widely used in advanced applications such as robotic perception for search and tracking, and remote monitoring of patients, especially those with Alzheimer’s and COVID-19.
Fadi Ghandour
Fadi Ghandour is a board member of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy and the Executive Chairman of the Wamda platform, through which he works to enhance the inclusive environment that supports the culture of entrepreneurship, growth, and investment in the Middle East. He is the co-founder of Aramex logistics services, where he served as CEO for 30 years. He is also the founder of the Ruwwad for Development initiative for startups, which strengthens the role of the private sector in empowering youth in the Arab world and opens opportunities for financing their entrepreneurial projects and creative ideas.
The strategic objectives of the university include becoming one of the top three local universities in research contributions within the next 10 years. Another goal is to rank among the top 50 young universities globally in the next decade and be among the top 200 universities worldwide within the next 20 years.
The university is designed to conduct globally competitive research in specialised fields, aiming to develop practical and future-oriented solutions. It adopts innovative teaching methods that ensure connectivity and integration across its academic disciplines.
The university aims to empower human capital in scientific research and future readiness. It seeks to attract talented students from diverse nationalities, offering them an exceptional university experience with scholarships and unique benefits. Additionally, the university will establish effective partnerships with strategic and community sectors.
