17.2.5 Canadian University Dubai — Collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations for the Sustainable Development Goals
Institutional Commitment
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is committed to collaborating with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), civil society organisations and social enterprises to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The University recognises that NGOs and community-focused organisations play an important role in addressing environmental challenges, social inequalities, humanitarian needs and barriers to education.
CUD works with such organisations through student participation, collaborative research, community-focused educational initiatives and the exchange of knowledge and expertise.
These partnerships connect the University's academic resources and student community with organisations addressing sustainable development challenges locally and internationally.
CUD's documented activities include collaboration with ImInclusive to promote disability inclusion through student-led design projects, a strategic research alliance with the Climate Institute, environmental educational engagement with the Emirates Environmental Group, humanitarian student initiatives involving the Emirates Red Crescent, and a refugee education initiative involving UNHCR.
These relationships demonstrate different forms of university engagement with NGOs in support of the SDGs.
1. Overview of NGO Collaborations
CUD's activities relate to three principal categories of NGO collaboration: student volunteering and community engagement, research programmes, and development of educational resources.
| Collaboration Category | Organisation | Documented Activity | Relevant SDGs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student engagement and humanitarian volunteering | Emirates Red Crescent | Historical student-led fundraising and refugee relief campaign | SDG 1, 10, 16 |
| Student environmental education and community engagement | Emirates Environmental Group | Environmental workshops, public speaking and awareness activities | SDG 4, 12, 13, 15 |
| Collaborative research | Climate Institute | Strategic alliance focused on carbon-market infrastructure and verification | SDG 9, 13, 17 |
| Educational resource development and inclusive design | ImInclusive | Dome of Inclusion, Dubai Design Week 2025 | SDG 4, 10, 11 |
| Educational resource development and inclusive design | ImInclusive | Shelter of Inclusivity, Dubai Design Week 2024 | SDG 4, 10, 11 |
| Humanitarian educational access | UNHCR | Refugee education collaboration and 2025 scholarship commitment | SDG 4, 10, 17 |
The activities vary in maturity and reporting period. Completed community initiatives are distinguished from ongoing research agendas and announced scholarship commitments.
2. Educational Resource Development with ImInclusive — Dome of Inclusion, 2025
Collaborative Project for Disability Inclusion and Accessible Design
Date: November 2025
Event: Dubai Design Week 2025
Participating Organisations:
- Canadian University Dubai — School of Architecture and Interior Design.
- ImInclusive — disability inclusion social enterprise.
- Dubai Holding Entertainment — industry collaborator.
Relevant SDGs: SDG 4 — Quality Education; SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities; SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals.
Collaboration Overview
On 19 November 2025, CUD announced the presentation of the Dome of Inclusion, a collaborative educational and design installation created for Dubai Design Week.
The project brought together university students, academic expertise, a disability inclusion social enterprise and industry partners.
It was CUD's second consecutive year collaborating with ImInclusive and Dubai Holding Entertainment on a disability-inclusive design installation.
The initiative sought to use creative design to encourage public understanding of accessibility, equality and inclusion.
Development of an Inclusive Educational Installation
CUD's School of Architecture and Interior Design collaborated with ImInclusive in the design and development of the installation.
The project was constructed from sustainable cardboard and incorporated original artwork created by People of Determination.
The installation was designed to communicate principles of collaboration and inclusive participation.
Its structure incorporated hexagonal and pentagonal elements carrying specific symbolic meanings.
Educational Themes
| Design Component | Educational Meaning |
|---|---|
| Six guiding principles | Collaboration, creativity, inclusion, empowerment, innovation and unity |
| Five disability-related dimensions | Physical, sensory, neurodiversity, intellectual and psychosocial disabilities |
| Original artwork | Creative expression by People of Determination |
| Sustainable cardboard construction | Resource-conscious and sustainable design |
| Public exhibition | Community engagement concerning accessibility and inclusion |
The project provided a physical educational resource through which visitors could engage with concepts of inclusive design and disability representation.
Participation by Students and People of Determination
CUD architecture and interior design students contributed to the creation of the installation.
People of Determination were commissioned to produce original artwork and participated in the creative process alongside students and faculty.
ImInclusive contributed disability inclusion expertise and facilitated participation by the disability community.
This collaborative approach connected academic design education with lived experience and community perspectives.
Contribution to the SDGs
The Dome of Inclusion demonstrates how an NGO-linked social enterprise and a university can jointly create a public educational experience.
The project promoted:
- Greater understanding of disability inclusion.
- Participation by People of Determination.
- Inclusive approaches to architectural and interior design.
- Community engagement with accessibility.
- Sustainable materials and resource-conscious construction.
- Experiential learning for university students.
The activity provides direct evidence of collaboration in developing educational content and public engagement resources concerning social inclusion.
Official Evidence:
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/canadian-university-dubai-students-unveil-dome-inclusion-during-dubai-design-week
3. Earlier Collaboration with ImInclusive — Shelter of Inclusivity, 2024
Accessible Design and Public Awareness
Date: 5–10 November 2024
Event: Dubai Design Week 2024
Collaborating Organisations: Canadian University Dubai, ImInclusive and Dubai Holding Entertainment.
CUD previously collaborated with ImInclusive and Dubai Holding Entertainment on the Shelter of Inclusivity, an interactive installation created for Dubai Design Week 2024.
The project aimed to raise awareness of disability inclusion and demonstrate how thoughtful design can support accessibility and equal participation.
Collaboration and Student Involvement
CUD's School of Architecture and Interior Design contributed design expertise.
ImInclusive worked to connect the project with the People of Determination community and ensure disability-related perspectives were considered in the design process.
The installation used sustainable materials and inclusive architectural features to communicate messages of acceptance, protection and equality.
Educational and Community Value
The project created a public opportunity to:
- Learn about inclusive design principles.
- Consider accessibility in the built environment.
- Recognise the contributions of People of Determination.
- Explore the relationship between sustainability, design and social inclusion.
The 2024 initiative provides historical evidence of the NGO collaboration that continued through the 2025 Dome of Inclusion project.
Official Evidence:
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/dubai-holding-entertainment-partnership-canadian-university-dubai-unveils-shelter-inclusivity
4. Collaborative Research with the Climate Institute
Research and Innovation for Carbon-Market Systems
NGO Partner: The Climate Institute
Institutional Partner: Canadian University Dubai — Centre for Sustainability and Innovation
Collaboration Type: Strategic research-and-innovation alliance
Relevant SDGs: SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; SDG 13 — Climate Action; SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals.
Research Partnership
Canadian University Dubai's Centre for Sustainability and Innovation documents a strategic research-and-innovation alliance with the Climate Institute.
The Climate Institute is an independent organisation founded in 1986 to address climate change through research, international partnerships and policy-related initiatives.
The partnership brings together the Climate Institute's climate expertise and CUD's university research capacity.
Its focus is the development of approaches for credible carbon-market systems, including carbon-credit registration, trading and verification.
Research and Innovation Programme
The alliance describes three interconnected technical areas.
| Research Component | Research Focus | SDG Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon Credit National Registry | Registration, issuance and tracking of carbon credits | Transparency in climate-finance systems |
| Carbon Credit Trading System | Blockchain-enabled trading and transaction infrastructure | Innovation and accountability in carbon markets |
| Carbon Credit Auditing System | Verification through remote sensing, AI, connected sensors and geographic data | Credible monitoring and verification of environmental claims |
These components address challenges concerning the transparency, integrity and technical administration of carbon-credit systems.
Monitoring and Verification
The collaboration describes the potential application of:
- Artificial intelligence.
- Internet of Things sensors.
- Geographic positioning.
- Satellite-based observation.
- Ground verification.
- Digital monitoring and reporting systems.
These technologies are relevant to the measurement and verification of carbon-credit projects.
The research programme aims to explore systems that improve the reliability and accountability of carbon-market infrastructure.
Contribution to NGO Research Collaboration
The partnership provides a framework for research cooperation between CUD and an independent climate-focused organisation.
It connects academic expertise with technical challenges affecting environmental monitoring, carbon-market governance and climate action.
The University's published description establishes the collaborative research agenda.
Specific completed research outputs, deployed registries or operating carbon-credit systems require separate verification and are not claimed as completed achievements.
Official Evidence:
https://www.cud.ac.ae/sustainability/research-in-sustainability/center-for-sustainability-and-innovation
5. Student Environmental Education with Emirates Environmental Group
NGO-Led Environmental Education and Student Participation
NGO Partner: Emirates Environmental Group (EEG)
Relevant SDGs: SDG 4 — Quality Education; SDG 12 — Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13 — Climate Action; SDG 15 — Life on Land.
CUD has a documented history of student participation in educational activities organised with Emirates Environmental Group, a UAE-based environmental NGO.
These activities have included sustainability workshops, environmental public speaking, student awareness campaigns and practical environmental projects.
Environmental Education Workshop
On 13 November 2014, CUD hosted an EEG environmental workshop addressing sustainability and responsible living.
The event brought together more than 40 students from 11 universities.
It provided opportunities for students to discuss environmental issues and approaches to incorporating sustainable practices into everyday life.
The workshop was facilitated by CUD's Student Affairs team and involved representatives of Emirates Environmental Group.
Environmental Public Speaking and Student Projects
CUD students also participated in EEG's environmental public speaking competitions.
These activities encouraged students to examine environmental challenges, prepare research-based arguments and communicate potential solutions.
Documented examples include:
| Year | Student Activity | Environmental Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | EEG Inter-College Environmental Public Speaking Competition | Sustainable development, population, consumption and environmental responsibility |
| 2016 | EEG environmental public speaking and accompanying student campaign | Electronic waste, recycling and responsible consumption |
| 2017 | EEG environmental public speaking activity | Bio-waste, alternative energy and environmental innovation |
In connection with the 2016 activity, CUD students organised an electronic-waste collection campaign and prepared an artwork using collected materials.
These activities demonstrate the University's historical collaboration with an environmental NGO in student education and environmental awareness.
They are not presented as confirmation of a corresponding EEG programme operating during 2025.
Official Evidence:
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/eeg-brings-environmental-message-canadian-university-dubai
6. Student-Led Humanitarian Engagement with Emirates Red Crescent
Five Days for the Homeless Campaign
Humanitarian Organisation: Emirates Red Crescent
Documented Example: March 2015
Relevant SDGs: SDG 1 — No Poverty; SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities; SDG 16 — Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.
CUD students have historically participated in the Five Days for the Homeless campaign, a student-led fundraising and awareness initiative addressing humanitarian needs.
In March 2015, students raised AED 16,000 to assist individuals displaced by regional conflict.
The activity involved students giving up selected daily comforts, raising awareness and encouraging donations.
Funds raised through the campaign were intended to be handed over to Emirates Red Crescent for humanitarian assistance.
Student Volunteering and Community Engagement
The campaign illustrates how CUD students have engaged with humanitarian organisations through:
- Fundraising.
- Volunteer participation.
- Public awareness activities.
- Support for displaced populations.
- Student-led humanitarian action.
This is a documented historical example of NGO-related student engagement.
The 2015 activity is not presented as evidence that the same campaign or fundraising amount occurred during 2025.
7. Humanitarian Collaboration on Refugee Education — UNHCR, 2025
Expanding Access to Higher Education for Displaced Students
Year: 2025
Partner: UNHCR — the UN Refugee Agency
Related Initiative: Brand Me Summit 2025 and Aim Higher
Relevant SDGs: SDG 4 — Quality Education; SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities; SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals.
In November 2025, Canadian University Dubai announced its participation in a refugee education initiative involving UNHCR and Brand Me Summit 2025.
The initiative aimed to expand educational opportunities for displaced individuals.
Announced Educational Support
CUD publicly announced a commitment to provide 50 fully funded scholarships for refugee students.
The Brand Me Summit initiative also pledged 10% of sales proceeds towards refugee education under UNHCR's Aim Higher initiative.
This collaboration brought together higher education, humanitarian engagement and private-sector participation to address barriers faced by refugee students.
Nature of the Collaboration
The initiative supports education access by connecting university scholarship commitments with a humanitarian campaign.
It demonstrates institutional collaboration on an SDG-related social challenge.
The public announcement establishes a planned educational-support initiative. It is not presented as evidence that 50 scholarships had already been awarded or that CUD students participated in a separately documented UNHCR volunteering programme during 2025.
Official Evidence:
https://www.cud.ac.ae/events/brand-me-summit-50-billion-entrepreneurial-influence-cud-weekend
8. Distinction Between NGOs and Other Partners
CUD also works with businesses, government authorities and academic institutions on initiatives relevant to the SDGs.
These relationships contribute to sustainable development but are distinct from the NGO collaborations described above.
For example, in July 2025 CUD signed a three-year agreement involving Miral and SeaWorld Yas Island to provide opportunities for student volunteering, internships and hands-on research.
The partnership is relevant to environmental stewardship and experiential education.
However, Miral is a corporate organisation, and this agreement is not presented as an NGO partnership.
Similarly, CUD's collaborations with Dubai Municipality and international universities are important to other SDG 17 indicators but are not automatically classified as NGO relationships.
This distinction supports accurate reporting of NGO-specific activities.
9. Summary of NGO Collaboration Across the Three Areas
| THE Collaboration Area | Partner | Evidence | Reporting Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Volunteering | Emirates Red Crescent | Historical Five Days for the Homeless fundraising campaign | Completed historical activity; current-year operation not verified |
| Student Engagement | Emirates Environmental Group | Historical environmental workshops, student competitions and awareness work | Completed historical activity; current-year operation not verified |
| Research Programmes | Climate Institute | Strategic climate research alliance and carbon-market systems agenda | Partnership documented; completed 2025 output not established |
| Educational Resources | ImInclusive | Dome of Inclusion at Dubai Design Week 2025 | Completed 2025 collaborative educational installation |
| Educational Resources | ImInclusive | Shelter of Inclusivity at Dubai Design Week 2024 | Completed historical collaboration |
| Educational Access | UNHCR | Refugee education collaboration and announced scholarship provision | 2025 commitment documented; award outcomes not established |
The examples demonstrate CUD's participation in different forms of collaboration with NGOs and community-focused organisations.
The 2025 Dome of Inclusion is the strongest direct evidence of completed collaborative educational work in the reporting year.
The Climate Institute provides a documented research-programme relationship, while the Emirates Environmental Group and Emirates Red Crescent examples establish historical student engagement.
10. Institutional Support for NGO Collaboration
CUD's engagement with NGOs involves relevant academic and administrative functions.
Student Affairs
Student Affairs supports student participation in extracurricular and community activities.
These activities can include environmental education, public awareness and humanitarian engagement.
Academic Schools
CUD's academic departments contribute expertise to NGO-linked projects.
The School of Architecture and Interior Design's collaboration with ImInclusive illustrates how students and faculty can work with community organisations on practical social inclusion challenges.
Centre for Sustainability and Innovation
The Centre provides an institutional platform for research and collaboration concerning environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Its Climate Institute alliance illustrates NGO-related research cooperation.
External Engagement
CUD's wider institutional partnerships connect university expertise and resources with civil society and international organisations.
These arrangements contribute to opportunities for learning, research and social engagement.
11. Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals
CUD's NGO collaborations contribute to cooperation between universities, civil society, humanitarian organisations and social enterprises.
These activities support the principles of SDG Targets 17.16 and 17.17 concerning partnerships for sustainable development.
SDG 10 — Reduced Inequalities
The ImInclusive projects promote disability inclusion, accessibility and participation by People of Determination.
The UNHCR education initiative addresses access to higher education for refugee students.
SDG 13 — Climate Action
The Climate Institute research alliance addresses carbon-market infrastructure and climate-related monitoring.
SDG 12 — Responsible Consumption and Production
Historical EEG-linked student activities promoted environmental awareness, recycling and responsible resource use.
SDG 4 — Quality Education
Collaborative student projects, public educational installations, environmental workshops and scholarship initiatives contribute to learning and educational access.
Institutional Commitment
Canadian University Dubai recognises the importance of non-governmental organisations in supporting sustainable development.
Through collaboration with ImInclusive, CUD students and faculty contributed to public educational installations promoting accessibility and disability inclusion, including the Dome of Inclusion presented in November 2025.
The University's strategic alliance with the Climate Institute establishes a research framework focused on carbon-market systems and environmental verification.
CUD also has a documented history of student engagement with Emirates Environmental Group and Emirates Red Crescent, alongside a 2025 refugee education collaboration involving UNHCR.
Together, these examples demonstrate CUD's commitment to working with NGOs and community-focused organisations through research, educational activities, student participation and social development initiatives.
Primary 2025 NGO/Social Enterprise Collaboration: ImInclusive
Research Partner: Climate Institute
Additional Organisations: Emirates Environmental Group, Emirates Red Crescent and UNHCR
Relevant University Functions: School of Architecture and Interior Design, Student Affairs and Centre for Sustainability and Innovation
Sustainability Contact: sustainability@cud.ac.ae
Primary Reporting Year: 2025, with historical partnerships identified separately.