By Archit Gupta,Education And Careers Desk,News18

Copyright news18

Symbiosis Dubai, the first Indian university in the UAE to be fully accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), marked its first anniversary with a grand event at Taj Dubai, Business Bay. The celebration was attended by Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Education, Government of India, who joined the Symbiosis community to mark one year of growth and academic excellence.
The event also coincided with the Orientation Day for the 2025–26 academic session, welcoming new students into the Symbiosis Dubai family.
Speaking at the event, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “A new chapter has begun for India and the UAE, with both leaderships committed to taking education to greater heights. Symbiosis Dubai symbolises opportunity and mobility for students, while deepening academic and cultural relations between our nations.”
Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro Chancellor of Symbiosis International University, and Dr. Anita Patankar, Executive Director of Symbiosis Dubai, highlighted how the institute is building global academic partnerships and strengthening India–UAE educational ties.
Inaugurated in November 2024 by UAE Minister Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan and India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, Symbiosis Dubai was established under the India–UAE E33 Bilateral Education Agreement. In just a year, it has expanded from four to ten programmes in fields like business, commerce, media, psychology, computer science, and technology. The campus now has over 500 families associated with it.
Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar said, “We are honoured by the presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, whose support was vital in setting up our Dubai campus. In one year, Symbiosis has grown into a place where students find academic excellence as well as a home away from home.”
The first student batch has already made its mark by excelling in academics, sports, and community service. Highlights include victories in the Excel Cup football tournament, leadership in social initiatives such as Ramadan drives, and technology donations to underprivileged groups.
Currently, Symbiosis Dubai offers a wide range of CAA-accredited undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including:
Undergraduate degrees in B.Com, BBA (with multiple specialisations), B.Tech (Computer Engineering), BCA (AI & ML, Data Science, Cloud Computing), B.Sc in Psychology, and BA in Media & Communication.
Postgraduate programmes such as an MBA powered by SIBM Pune, with flexible timings and specialisations in Marketing, Finance, Operations, Analytics, International Business, and Entrepreneurship.
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On the occasion, the university also signed MoUs with Cisco Networking Academy, Edu Scan, Behaviour Enhancement, and Odoo to bring more industry-linked learning opportunities.
It is also home to the Symbiosis Centre for Applied AI – Dubai Chapter, developed with partners such as Cisco IDS and Cyber Secured India, providing students practical exposure to AI, Data Science, and Cybersecurity.
Dubai: A Rising Education Hub
Dubai has emerged as a global hub for higher education, attracting more Indian students due to its proximity, world-class infrastructure, and strong career opportunities.
According to KHDA’s 2024–25 report:

42% of international students in Dubai are from India.
The city saw a 20% rise in higher education enrolments in the past year.
Over 42,000 students are currently studying in Dubai.