Dubai is set to strengthen its position as a global education hub by welcoming three internationally renowned universities for the 2025-26 academic year. The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) from India, the American University of Beirut (AUB) from Lebanon, and Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences from Saudi Arabia will all establish campuses in the emirate, marking a significant expansion of Dubai’s higher education landscape.
New Campuses to Elevate Dubai’s Global Education Status
The Dubai Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) confirmed the upcoming arrival of these three institutions. IIM Ahmedabad is highly respected worldwide, with its Business and Management programme currently ranked 27th globally in the QS World University Rankings by subject. Meanwhile, the American University of Beirut holds a respectable 237th position in the overall global QS rankings. The entry of Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences adds to Dubai’s growing diversity in specialized education fields.
Expanding Dubai’s Vision for Higher Education
Dr Wafi Dawood, CEO of the Strategic Development Sector at KHDA, highlighted the significance of this development in an interview with a local news outlet KT, saying, “Dubai’s initiative to attract the best global universities, endorsed by The Executive Council, reflects the emirate’s international stature. Dubai’s visionary leaders have ensured all the resources necessary to position the emirate as a global leader and a top destination for students and prestigious international higher education institutions.”He further explained the alignment with Dubai’s broader goals: “This initiative aligns with the social and economic goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, and the Education 33 Strategy, which represents a transformative vision for Dubai’s education system. Our aim is to enhance the global competitiveness of Dubai’s graduates, increase educational tourism tenfold by 2033, integrate a new generation of Emiratis into the workforce and future sectors, and contribute to doubling Dubai’s economy over the next decade, positioning the city among the world’s top three economic hubs.”
Dubai’s Growing Higher Education Ecosystem
Currently, Dubai hosts 41 private international higher education providers, with 37 being branch campuses of globally recognized universities. Notably, campuses such as the University of Manchester Dubai and the University of Birmingham Dubai benefit from their parent campuses’ global standing, ranked 35th and 76th respectively in the QS World University Rankings 2026.Other notable institutions include Curtin University Dubai and the University of Wollongong in Dubai, ranked 183rd and 184th respectively. Three additional universities with Dubai campuses are also ranked within the top 300 globally.In the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject, several Dubai-based institutions have been recognized among the world’s best in Business and Management:
- London Business School is ranked 7th
- ESCP is at 54th
- Luiss University holds the 67th spot
Additionally, Instituto Marangoni, a leading institute in design education, ranks between 51st and 100th globally for Art and Design.
Ambitious Targets for International Student Growth
This university expansion is part of Dubai’s broader global university attraction project, embedded within the Education 33 strategy. The initiative aims to build a robust academic ecosystem by blending international and local education, investing in scientific research, and encouraging cross-border collaborations.A key target is for international students to make up 50% of Dubai’s higher education population by 2033. This would contribute approximately Dh 5.6 billion($1.524 billion USD) to the education sector’s GDP.Already, Dubai is witnessing this growth. For the 2024-25 academic year, total enrolment at private universities increased by 20%, with international student numbers growing by 29%. Currently, 42,026 students are enrolled across 41 private universities offering over 700 academic programmes designed to equip learners with future-ready skills aligned with Dubai’s strategic vision.
