Canadian University Dubai — Stakeholder Engagement Policies
Policy Statement
Canadian University Dubai maintains a formal Stakeholder Engagement Policy (published in 2018 as the Community Engagement Policy). The University defines "community" as any organization or group of individuals external to the university, and commits to establishing collaborations with external organizations to support CUD's core values.
The policy establishes the Community Outreach Office as the primary point of contact for external engagement, embedding stakeholder collaboration into the university’s strategic plans, policies, and procedures. The goal is to ensure effective communication between students, faculty, and the community, and to align academic programs with local and regional market needs.
Dedicated Offices for Stakeholder Engagement
CUD uses specialized, centralized offices to manage relationships with local stakeholders.
| Office | Role in Stakeholder Engagement |
|---|---|
| Community / Corporate Outreach Office | Implement the Community Engagement Policy. Coordinates business-to-business meetings, outreach initiatives, and events with government, industry, and community groups. |
| Student Sponsorship Liaison Office | Administers corporate and government sponsorship programs. Coordinates between sponsoring organizations and students to ensure market-relevant skills and a high return on investment. |
| Career Services and Internships Center | Bridges academic programs with economic demand. Invites industry mentors to advise students, hosts career workshops (CV writing, interviewing), and aligns educational outcomes with labor market needs. |
Stakeholder Engagement in Practice
CUD engages a wide range of local stakeholders through formal partnerships and initiatives.
| Stakeholder Category | Example Engagements | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Government | Dubai Health Authority (DHA): Chancellor's Scholarship sponsors one DHA employee per year to pursue CUD's MBA program (announced April 2023). | Promotes higher education and workforce development within the local government sector. |
| Industry & Corporate | Coursera: First private UAE university to partner with Coursera for professional certifications. BBA Co-design: New programs co-designed with industry practitioners, including guest lectures and mentorships. | Ensures curriculum aligns with workforce trends and in-demand skills (e.g., AI, marketing). |
| NGOs & Non-Profits | The LINK: CUD professors mentor emerging women leaders through this UAE non-profit. Emirates Environmental Group (EEG): Collaborates on sustainability and recycling campaigns. | Supports community development and professional growth for underrepresented groups. |
| Schools & Local Community | Summer Camp (July 2023): Free 3-day camp for local high school students focused on animation, app development, robotics, and design. | Sparks interest in higher education and industry-relevant skills among local youth. |
Aligning Curriculum with Stakeholder Needs
CUD explicitly uses stakeholder input from accreditation bodies and professional organizations to align programs with market needs:
- BSc in Environmental Health Management: Accredited by Canada’s ECO Canada, aligning with global environmental workforce needs.
- BBA in Human Resource Management: Acknowledged by SHRM (USA) since 2020 for alignment to international HR competency standards.
- GCC eHealth Workforce Development Conference (Nov 2021): CUD faculty joined government, academic, and industry experts to address the region's "skills gap" and workforce-ready models.
How Stakeholders Can Engage with CUD
External organizations interested in partnering with CUD can contact the Community Outreach Office to discuss collaborations in teaching, research, internships, or sponsorship.
Alignment with National and Global Goals
These stakeholder engagement policies align with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), particularly UN Target 16.7 (ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels). By formalizing engagement with government, industry, NGOs, and the local community, CUD ensures that its educational process and graduate competencies are aligned with local labor market needs.
For more information, contact the Community Outreach Office or Career Services at careers@cud.ac.ae.