In a landmark step that deepens the educational partnership between India and the UAE, Symbiosis International University has inaugurated its first overseas campus at Dubai Knowledge Park. This development marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship, further cementing ties in education and innovation.
A Star-Studded Inauguration
The campus inauguration was graced by prominent figures, including Dr. S. Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. The event highlighted the mutual commitment of both nations toward fostering quality education.
Symbiosis University has received full accreditation from the UAE’s Commission for Academic Accreditation, reflecting its dedication to maintaining high educational standards.
Diverse Program Offerings
The Dubai campus will offer a range of programs in management, technology, and media, equipping students with critical 21st-century skills. Guided by the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the belief that “the world is one family”—the university seeks to nurture global collaboration and cultural harmony.
This expansion aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020 (NEP), which emphasizes the internationalization of higher education and encourages the establishment of offshore campuses to enhance global educational outreach.
Enhancing Student Opportunities
The UAE is already home to over 300,000 Indian students benefiting from its robust educational framework. The addition of Symbiosis University’s campus will further enrich these opportunities, building on the momentum generated during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit and the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between India and the UAE.
Building Human Capital
In his address, Dr. Jaishankar underlined the importance of investing in human capital for India’s progress, with a focus on artificial intelligence, clean energy, and sustainable development. The Dubai campus stands as a testament to this vision, offering programs that align with these critical areas.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan emphasized the UAE’s commitment to becoming a knowledge-based economy, where education plays a vital role in fostering mutual understanding and stability. He highlighted Dubai’s cosmopolitan appeal, with expatriates making up nearly 85% of its population, making it an ideal location for an institution like Symbiosis University.
A Step Toward Economic Transformation
The establishment of the Symbiosis Dubai campus also aligns with Dubai’s Economic Agenda 33, a strategic plan focused on transforming the emirate’s economy over the next decade. By prioritizing human capital development and fostering international educational collaborations, the initiative reinforces the city’s position as a global knowledge hub.
Bridging Cultures Through Education
The launch of this overseas campus is not merely an academic milestone but a bridge fostering cultural and intellectual exchange between India and the UAE. Both nations aspire to elevate their global educational competitiveness, and initiatives like this strengthen their shared vision.
Key Highlights:
- Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: This ancient Indian philosophy, meaning “the world is one family,” underscores the university’s global approach to education.
- Dubai Knowledge Park: A hub for education and research, supporting Dubai’s ambition to become a global knowledge economy.
- Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): A bilateral agreement that fosters trade, investment, and educational collaboration between India and the UAE.
- Economic Agenda 33: Dubai’s roadmap for economic transformation, prioritizing education and human capital development over the next decade.
Symbiosis University’s entry into Dubai is a promising step toward shaping a more interconnected and knowledge-driven future, with profound benefits for students, educators, and economies alike.