Symbiosis International, one of India’s prestigious universities, has launched its first international campus in Dubai, officially licensed by the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) and Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
The Dubai campus is operational and began its first week of classes in September with a host of academic programs including Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Accounting and Finance, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) AI and ML, Cloud Computing, Data Science and Data Analytics, and Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication (BA) with Digital marketing, Public Relations, Advertising and Corporate communications.
Symbiosis University, located in the heart of Pune in India, is a household name in Indian homes given its popularity among students. So why did the university choose to expand to the United Arab Emirates?
“When Symbiosis wanted to go international, we couldn’t have thought of any other country but the UAE,” says Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor of Symbiosis International University. “The move resonates with the ethos of Symbiosis which is diversity, and Dubai is a wonderful place with diverse cultures,” she adds. It aligns with the ethos of “world is one family,” she says.
Another reason, says Dr Yeravdekar, is the 900-plus strong alumni base of Symbiosis which is currently thriving in the UAE. So the expansion to Dubai is a strategic move for the academic institution. The move also signals a rising demand for top-tier higher education from Dubai’s burgeoning expat community, comprising around 85% of its 3.5 million residents.
Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, SIU, says the move reflects deeper India-UAE ties
The campus is located in Dubai Knowledge Park. “Universities must begin their journey in Knowledge Park because of its connectivity. It’s easy to commute for students and great for forming connections,” adds Dr Yeravdekar.
The chancellor also talks about the move being a strategic one for further deepening India-UAE ties. “India-UAE relations are very strong and will be stronger in the future with both heads of state traveling so often across the borders. There’s so much India and the UAE can do together in education. We are at the right place at the right time.”
The move aligns with the UAE’s D33 Economic Agenda, which focuses on doubling the economy by 2033, with a strong emphasis on education and talent development. It also reinforces the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE, promoting educational and economic ties.
This expansion also supports India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes internationalization and encourages high ranking Indian educational institutions to extend their global reach.
All the academic programs offered by Symbiosis International University are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation under the Ministry of Education UAE.
