Top Indian, Arab universities to launch Dubai campuses
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Three international universities will open in Dubai during the 2025–26 academic year, further expanding the emirate’s growing higher education landscape. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has confirmed that the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), the American University of Beirut (AUB) and Saudi Arabia’s Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences will establish campuses in the emirate.
The move aligns with Dubai’s broader push under the “Education 33” strategy, which aims to position the city among the top 10 global destinations for higher education by 2033. The plan includes ambitious targets such as increasing international student enrolment to 50% and generating Dh5.6 billion in economic contributions.
IIM’s business and management program is ranked 27th in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, while AUB holds an overall ranking of 237. Both institutions will join Dubai’s growing roster of international universities, which currently includes 41 higher education providers. Among them are globally ranked institutions such as the University of Manchester (35th), the University of Birmingham (76th), Curtin University (183rd) and the University of Wollongong (184th).
The announcement follows a meeting of the Dubai Executive Council, chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai. During the session, a project was approved to attract top-tier global universities and implement an Academic and Career Guidance Policy aimed at equipping Emirati students with the skills and support needed for future employment. The goal is to ensure that 90% of Emirati graduates secure jobs within six months of graduation.
“Dubai’s initiative to attract the best global universities, endorsed by the Executive Council, reflects the emirate’s international stature”, said Dr Wafi Dawood, CEO of KHDA’s Strategic Development Sector.
The emirate's higher education sector is already seeing strong momentum. The last academic year witnessed a record 20% increase in total enrolment, with international student numbers surging by 29%, reaching an all-time high of 42,026 students.
