Dubai: Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, both part of TECOM Group, have entered into a strategic partnership with Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). This collaboration aims to support the higher education sector and solidify Dubai's status as a premier global learning destination.
According to Emirates News Agency, the agreement aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Education 33 strategy and was formalized during The Knowledge Assembly. This event was hosted by KHDA in collaboration with TECOM Group's education cluster. The signing ceremony featured prominent figures such as Aisha Miran, Director-General of KHDA, and Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of TECOM Group. The agreement was signed by Saeed Mubarak Kharbash, CEO of Policies, Research and Programmes at KHDA, and Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice-President of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park.
Kharbash emphasized that the partnership will enhance collaboration across the higher education ecosystem, helping Dubai attract global talent, drive research and innovation, and improve the student experience. Janahi noted that initiatives like the Higher Education Leadership Network will ensure that Dubai's educational offerings continue to align with the evolving needs of industries and the global economy.
Under this partnership, the two districts will collaborate with KHDA to attract international universities and vocational institutions, promote Dubai as a global destination for students, and coordinate policies to support research, entrepreneurship, and innovation. They will also focus on enhancing extracurricular activities and launching the Higher Education Leadership Network, which will serve as a platform for strategic alignment, collaboration, and thought leadership.
The Knowledge Assembly gathered senior leaders from academia, industry, and government to discuss the role of higher education as an economic driver. The event featured speakers from Dubai Health, the University of Birmingham Dubai, the University of Wollongong, and in5, TECOM Group's entrepreneurship incubator.
Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park host leading universities and institutions and are part of TECOM Group's portfolio of 10 business districts that support Dubai's knowledge economy.