KHDA Confirms Major Higher Education Growth Aligned with Economic Agenda

Dubai Strengthens Global Education Ambitions with New University Partnerships

Dubai is set to make a major stride in its pursuit of becoming a leading global education hub with the addition of three highly respected international institutions for the 2025–26 academic year. The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad), the American University of Beirut (AUB), and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences are confirmed to open campuses in the emirate, signifying not just numerical growth but a strategic strengthening of academic diversity, research depth, and international collaboration.

Moreover, Dubai’s higher education landscape has expanded rapidly, now hosting 41 private international institutions, including 37 branch campuses of globally ranked universities. These include the University of Manchester Dubai and the University of Birmingham Dubai, positioned 35th and 76th, respectively, in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Additionally, Curtin University Dubai and the University of Wollongong in Dubai hold 183rd and 184th positions, with three more campuses in the emirate ranked within the top 300 globally.

In terms of subject-specific excellence, Dubai is also gaining international recognition. The QS World University Rankings by Subject placed London Business School at 7th, ESCP at 54th, and Luiss University at 67th for Business and Management. Similarly, Instituto Marangoni ranked between 51st and 100th worldwide for Art and Design—further affirming Dubai’s growing presence in creative and specialised education fields.

The KHDA has formally announced the arrival of IIM Ahmedabad, AUB, and Fakeeh College, underscoring their potential to enhance the emirate’s reputation in business and healthcare education. Notably, IIM Ahmedabad ranks 27th globally for Business and Management, while AUB holds the 237th spot in overall university rankings. The inclusion of Fakeeh College is expected to contribute meaningfully to Dubai’s offerings in the medical sciences. Furthermore, Dr Wafi Dawood, CEO of the KHDA’s Strategic Development Sector, remarked that this development supports Dubai’s ambition under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Education 33 Strategy. These initiatives are geared towards improving graduate employability, growing education tourism, integrating Emirati talent into high-demand industries, and ultimately doubling the city's economy.

In line with this, international students are projected to form 50% of the higher education population by 2033, contributing Dh 5.6 billion (US$1.524 billion) to the education sector’s GDP. Already, for the 2024–25 academic year, private university enrolments have risen by 20%, with international student numbers up by 29%, totalling 42,026 learners across more than 700 future-ready academic programmes. Dubai’s strategic expansion in global higher education continues to strengthen its position as a magnet for talent, innovation, and international academic excellence.

Editor’s Note:

Dubai’s bold ambition to establish itself as a global hub for higher education continues to gain momentum with the announcement of new campuses by the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad), the American University of Beirut (AUB), and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences. This strategic expansion is not merely symbolic; it is a calculated step towards meeting the objectives laid out under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Education 33 Strategy, initiatives aimed at boosting graduate competitiveness, enhancing educational tourism, and integrating the Emirati workforce into future-driven sectors. Dubai's initiative highlights its growing academic appeal, with 41 private international institutions, including 37 branch campuses of top-ranked universities like the University of Manchester Dubai and the University of Birmingham Dubai. The 2024–25 academic year saw a 20% increase in private university enrolments, with a 29% rise in international students, totalling over 42,000 learners. This latest development reinforces Dubai’s targeted goal of having international students comprise 50% of its higher education population by 2033, contributing an estimated Dh 5.6 billion (approximately US$1.5 billion) to the sector’s GDP. The inclusion of world-class institutions in business, medicine, and science will not only elevate Dubai’s research and innovation capabilities but also strengthen its competitiveness in a knowledge-driven economy.

As per Skoobuzz, the addition of these renowned universities is more than a milestone; it is a meaningful investment in the intellectual infrastructure that will shape Dubai’s future.