Dubai Design District (d3) and the university will work together on a dynamic annual programme of events, exhibitions, workshops and activities hosted at the global creative hub.
The partnership expands d3’s connections with leading educational institutes, reinforcing its pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of creative design talent.
October 1, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Dubai Design District (d3), the global creative hub that is part of TECOM Group PJSC, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canadian University Dubai (CUD) to spotlight the region’s brightest emerging design talent, celebrate its creativity and achievements, and further nurture and enable its continued growth and future development.
The agreement marks the beginning of a collaboration that will see d3 and CUD’s prestigious School of Architecture and Interior Design (SAID) work together on a dynamic annual programme of events, exhibitions, workshops and activities hosted at d3, expanding the district’s renowned creative calendar. There are also plans for CUD students to collaborate with d3-based customers on internships, providing a channel for students to gain real-world experience and strengthen career opportunities.
“Talented design students and the next generation of designers are a crucial part of our community at d3. They represent the future of our region’s creative industries and are a vibrant source of new ideas and innovation,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District(d3), part of TECOM Group. “Our collaboration with the Canadian University Dubai builds on our established relationships with leading educational institutions. It reinforces d3’s role as a connector, a place to discover the latest design thinking and inspiration. It also underscores our firm commitment to nurturing skilled talent, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global hub for design excellence in line with Dubai’s Design Sector Strategy 2033.”
Professor Karim Chelli, President and Vice Chancellor of Canadian University Dubai, said: “At Canadian University Dubai, we believe that exceptional design education must be connected to exceptional industry ecosystems. Our partnership with Dubai Design District creates a powerful bridge between academia and practice, providing our students with direct access to one of the most influential creative communities globally. Together, we are creating opportunities for emerging talent to engage with real-world challenges, collaborate with industry leaders, and contribute to shaping the future of design, architecture, and innovation in Dubai and beyond.”
The partnership builds on a previous collaboration, which saw CUD host its ‘Designing Futures: SAID Graduation Exhibition 2026’ at d3 last semester. The exhibition showcased projects by CUD’s graduating Architecture and Interior Design students, offering a glimpse into the critical thinking that will play a role in shaping the future of design.
Home to one of the largest architecture and interior design faculties in the UAE, CUD has continued to educate and inspire a robust pool of future architects and designers in the region since it opened its doors in 2006. CUD empowers students to critically analyse design scenarios and develop unique solutions while fostering an empathetic and responsible understanding of the human relationship to land and design.
Dubai Design District (d3) is part of TECOM Group’s portfolio of business districts, which also includes Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Industrial City and Dubai Science Park.