Canadian University Dubai — Policy Research Collaborations
Our Commitment
Canadian University Dubai conducts rigorous, evidence-based policy research in collaboration with government ministries, municipalities, and public agencies. By partnering with government bodies on funded research projects, CUD generates actionable frameworks, curricula, and policy tools that directly inform public strategies in education, health, environment, and technology.
Education & Workforce Policy Research
CUD collaborates with federal ministries to evaluate and improve national education frameworks.
| Research Project | Government Partner | Policy Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics Curricula Development | UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) - Collaborative Research Program Grant (CRPG) | Funded research (AED 7.5 million grant pool) to develop new mathematics curricula and better prepare graduates with technical skills for the workforce. |
| UAE Food System Resilience | UAE Ministry of Education (MOE) | Produced tools and policy frameworks for an "early warning system," directly involving Dubai Municipality’s Food Safety Authority to inform national food security policy. |
Health and Social Policy Research
CUD faculty produce policy research that evaluates health governance and pandemic responses.
- COVID-19 Educational Processes Analysis (2021): Published research examining social-behavioral factors in virus spread, arguing for stronger community awareness aligned with WHO guidelines to inform public health policy.
- UAE Health Security and Climate Change Review (2023): Co-authored a review of UAE policy on global health security and climate change, highlighting how national strategies (e.g., Universal Health Coverage, COP28 leadership) position the UAE as a regional policy innovator. Published in the International Journal of Health Governance.
Sustainability and Environment Policy Research
CUD actively contributes to government climate and environment public policy.
| Research Project | Government / Policy Partner | Policy Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Kuwait Water Conservation Project | Ministry of Energy and Water (Kuwait) | A regional water-conservation study whose findings were explicitly designed to inform "major policy actors" in Kuwait’s Vision 2035 plan. |
| Public Attitudes on Climate and Energy | UAE Government (COP28 UCN) | Research on public views in oil-exporting countries to guide transition policy; CUD is a partner in the COP28 Universities Climate Network. |
| UN PRME Report (2023) | UN Global Compact | CUD's first PRME report detailed institutional sustainability practices, signaling its commitment to UAE climate objectives. |
Innovation, Technology, and Public Safety Policy
CUD applies technical and applied research expertise to inform smart city and law enforcement policies.
| Research / Initiative | Government Partner | Policy Impact |
|---|---|---|
| AI-Driven Healthcare Solutions | Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) RDI Grants | Engineering and computer science researchers received DFF grants to develop AI solutions, informing Dubai’s smart healthcare policy. |
| Forensic Science & Audio-Visual Training | Dubai Police | CUD's Audio Visual Unit provided training and video-editing courses for Dubai Police personnel at the General Dept. of Forensic Science and Criminology, supporting public safety governance. |
| AI in Occupational Health Forum | Dubai Municipality | Co-hosted a 2025 forum attended by Dubai’s Acting Municipality Director-General to shape Dubai’s smart-safety policies. |
Alignment with National and Global Goals
These policy research collaborations align with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), particularly UN Target 16.6 (Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels). By producing evidence-based research, CUD acts as a bridge between academia and government, generating policy briefs, frameworks, and tools that directly feed into UAE policy planning and evaluation.