3.3.1 — Current Collaborations with Health Institutions
Canadian University Dubai | SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Institutional Commitment
Canadian University Dubai (CUD) maintains collaborations with local, national and international institutions to advance public health, healthcare innovation, professional education and community well-being.
The University recognises that improving health outcomes requires coordinated efforts among higher education institutions, healthcare researchers, public authorities, health service providers and community organisations.
Through its Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences and Psychology, and interdisciplinary research teams, CUD participates in partnerships involving health research capacity building, medical education, artificial intelligence in healthcare, biomedical imaging, health technology assessment, food safety and preventive health.
During 2025, CUD's collaborative activities included internationally funded healthcare research, engagement with public-sector organisations and the development of institutional partnerships addressing public health and health-related innovation.
These activities contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good Health and Well-Being by strengthening connections between academic research, professional healthcare knowledge and practical public health challenges.
1. Local Collaborations — Dubai
1.1 Dubai Municipality: Environment, Health and Safety Research
Partner: Dubai Municipality — Environment, Health and Safety Agency
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Formal agreement: 20 November 2025
On 20 November 2025, Canadian University Dubai and Dubai Municipality signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance collaboration in environmental health, food safety, research and innovation.
The agreement was announced during the 19th Dubai International Food Safety Conference and signed by representatives of CUD and Dubai Municipality's Environment, Health and Safety Agency.
The partnership establishes a structured framework for sustained cooperation on challenges affecting public health, environmental safety and food systems.
The agreement identifies the following collaborative activities:
- Joint research on food safety, environmental health and related public health challenges.
- Technical knowledge exchange between university researchers and municipal specialists.
- Collaboration on food inspection, risk assessment and food safety management.
- Research and development involving artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies.
- Joint scientific publications and specialised research.
- Technical workshops, innovation laboratories and professional knowledge-sharing activities.
- Student research projects addressing challenges identified by Dubai Municipality.
- Opportunities for practical training and the development of emerging health and safety professionals.
The partnership connects CUD's academic expertise with local government responsibilities concerning environmental health and public safety.
Its objectives include strengthening evidence-based approaches to food inspection, improving the identification of potential health risks and supporting innovation in public health-related systems.
2025 contribution: The formal agreement established an institutional framework for sustained collaboration. The activities identified in the agreement represent areas of cooperation to be developed through the partnership.
1.2 Occupational Health and Safety Collaboration with Dubai Municipality
Partner: Dubai Municipality
Activity date: 28 April 2025
CUD collaborated with Dubai Municipality on an event examining the role of artificial intelligence in occupational health and safety.
Organised in connection with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the event brought together government representatives, academic researchers and occupational health specialists.
The programme addressed:
- Artificial intelligence in occupational risk assessment.
- Emerging technologies for workplace safety.
- Preventive monitoring and risk identification.
- Digital approaches to health and safety management.
- Knowledge exchange between academic experts and public-sector practitioners.
This activity provided a documented example of collaboration between CUD and a local government organisation on health and safety education during 2025.
Together with the November 2025 Memorandum of Understanding, it demonstrates engagement with Dubai Municipality through both a completed professional knowledge-exchange activity and a formal framework for future cooperation.
2. National Collaborations — United Arab Emirates
2.1 Dubai Future Foundation: Healthcare Research and Development
Partner: Dubai Future Foundation
Programme: Research, Development and Innovation Programme
Funding announced: 18 July 2025
In July 2025, Canadian University Dubai announced that its researchers had received three grants from the Dubai Future Foundation's Research, Development and Innovation Programme.
The funded initiatives address healthcare challenges relevant to the United Arab Emirates, including neurological disease detection, biomedical imaging and evidence-based evaluation of healthcare technologies.
The projects involve CUD researchers working with national and international academic partners.
| Healthcare research project | CUD research lead | Partner institutions | Health research objective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Explainable artificial intelligence for early dementia detection | Professor Firuz Kamalov | Abu Dhabi School of Management, UAE; University of Huddersfield, UK | Develop AI approaches to support early identification and understanding of dementia |
| Advanced biomedical imaging | Dr. Haythem El-Messiry | Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, UAE; Shandong University, China | Advance techniques for processing and reconstructing high-resolution biological images |
| Health Technology Assessment in the UAE | Dr. Mohammed AlKhaldi | McGill University, Canada; University of Bonn, Germany | Support evidence-based evaluation of healthcare technologies and related decision-making |
These collaborations demonstrate the University's participation in nationally supported healthcare research involving multiple institutions.
The projects aim to develop new research capabilities and methods that may contribute to better understanding of disease, healthcare technologies and clinical decision-making.
2025 contribution: Three grants were awarded, establishing funded collaborative research activities. The announcement does not establish that the proposed technologies had already produced validated clinical outcomes.
2.2 Collaboration in Healthcare Research Capacity
CUD's participation in the Dubai Future Foundation's research programme provides opportunities for cooperation with UAE-based academic institutions and international research partners.
The dementia detection project includes the Abu Dhabi School of Management, while the biomedical imaging project involves Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
The collaborations connect research expertise across artificial intelligence, biomedical sciences and healthcare applications.
Their participation demonstrates the role of interdisciplinary national research collaboration in addressing healthcare innovation priorities.
3. Global Collaborations — International Health Institutions and Research Networks
3.1 University of Oxford and The Global Health Network
Partner: University of Oxford — The Global Health Network
Geographic scope: Middle East and North Africa, with international research partners
Agreement announced: 18 July 2024
Canadian University Dubai signed an agreement with the University of Oxford to establish the Middle East and North Africa regional network of The Global Health Network within CUD's Department of Public Health.
The agreement designates CUD as a regional hub and implementing partner in the Artificial Intelligence for Global Health in Asia project.
The Global Health Network supports the development of health research capacity, international collaboration and equitable access to research knowledge.
The MENA network is intended to strengthen public health education, research capacity and professional practice.
Collaboration Objectives
The partnership identifies several areas for international cooperation:
- Strengthening capacity for public health and clinical research.
- Supporting education and professional training in health research.
- Facilitating collaboration among universities, public health organisations and healthcare researchers.
- Promoting equitable access to research knowledge and expertise.
- Developing digital tools and learning resources for healthcare stakeholders.
- Supporting knowledge exchange on responsible artificial intelligence in healthcare.
- Encouraging research collaboration addressing health challenges affecting the MENA region.
The announced initiative includes plans for an open-access, multilingual digital hub offering learning resources and collaboration tools.
Participating Health Research Institutions
CUD's published announcement identifies engagement with a wider international health research network, including:
- World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO-EMRO).
- National Council for Scientific Research, Lebanon.
- University of Doha for Science and Technology, Qatar.
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Switzerland.
- McGill University, Canada.
- Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Tunisia.
These organisations represent different areas of health research, public health practice and international knowledge development.
The partnership strengthens CUD's role in connecting UAE-based academic expertise with institutions working on regional and global health challenges.
Academic Coordination
Dr. Mohammed Alkhaldi and Dr. Aseel Takshe were identified in CUD's announcement as academic leaders responsible for coordination and development of the regional network.
The partnership provides a framework for expanding public health research collaboration and strengthening professional capacity across the region.
3.2 University of Huddersfield: Artificial Intelligence for Dementia Research
Partner: University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom
Research programme announced: 18 July 2025
Professor Firuz Kamalov of Canadian University Dubai leads a healthcare research initiative involving the University of Huddersfield and the Abu Dhabi School of Management.
The project focuses on Explainable Artificial Intelligence for the early detection of dementia and the study of potential disease progression.
Dementia presents significant challenges for patients, families and healthcare systems. Earlier identification and improved understanding of disease progression are important areas of medical research.
The collaborative research seeks to explore AI methods capable of supporting greater transparency and interpretability in healthcare-related analysis.
This project forms part of CUD's internationally collaborative healthcare research portfolio supported by the Dubai Future Foundation.
3.3 Shandong University: Advanced Biomedical Imaging
Partner: Shandong University, China
Research programme announced: 18 July 2025
Dr. Haythem El-Messiry leads a research project involving Shandong University and Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence.
The collaboration focuses on advanced biomedical imaging, including processing and reconstruction of high-resolution three-dimensional biological images.
The project aims to strengthen methods used to analyse biological structures and support biomedical research.
It brings together expertise in computational methods, artificial intelligence and biological imaging.
The collaboration contributes to international knowledge development in technologies relevant to healthcare and medical research.
3.4 McGill University and the University of Bonn: Health Technology Assessment
Partners: McGill University, Canada; University of Bonn, Germany
Research programme announced: 18 July 2025
Dr. Mohammed AlKhaldi leads a health technology assessment research project involving collaborators from McGill University and the University of Bonn.
Health Technology Assessment supports systematic evaluation of healthcare technologies and can inform decisions concerning their effectiveness, value and appropriate use.
The collaborative project aims to develop research and analytical approaches relevant to evidence-based healthcare decision-making in the UAE.
The initiative connects expertise in public health, healthcare systems and policy-oriented research.
It demonstrates CUD's participation in international research collaboration addressing healthcare effectiveness and responsible decision-making.
3.5 International Medical Education Partnership
Partner: Global University Systems Canada
Agreement announced: 19 June 2024
Canadian University Dubai signed a partnership agreement with Global University Systems Canada to establish medical-school pathways for graduates of CUD's Bachelor of Science in Public Health programmes.
The agreement provides eligible graduates with pathways to three North American medical schools:
- Saba University School of Medicine.
- Medical University of the Americas.
- St. Matthew's University School of Medicine.
Eligible graduates may qualify for scholarship awards under the terms of the agreement.
The partnership supports healthcare workforce development by creating opportunities for students to progress from public health education into medical training.
This initiative complements CUD's research collaborations through an educational pathway relevant to the future healthcare workforce.
4. Contribution to Health and Well-Being
Canadian University Dubai's collaborations support health and well-being through several complementary areas.
Health research and innovation: Internationally funded projects address dementia detection, biomedical imaging and healthcare technology assessment.
Public health capacity building: The Global Health Network partnership supports international cooperation, knowledge exchange and the development of public health research capabilities.
Preventive health and safety: Collaboration with Dubai Municipality addresses occupational health, food safety, environmental health and risk management.
Healthcare workforce development: Medical education partnerships create opportunities for public health graduates to pursue further professional healthcare training.
Institutional knowledge exchange: Research collaborations connect academic expertise with government bodies, public health institutions and international researchers.
These activities contribute to the development of knowledge, professional capabilities and institutional partnerships relevant to improving health systems.
5. Summary of Health Institution Collaborations
| Collaboration level | Partner or network | Documented activity | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local — Dubai | Dubai Municipality | Occupational health and safety event; formal environmental health and food safety research partnership | 2025 |
| National — UAE | Dubai Future Foundation | Three funded healthcare research projects | 2025 |
| National — UAE | Abu Dhabi School of Management | AI research on early dementia detection | 2025 |
| National — UAE | Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence | Advanced biomedical imaging research | 2025 |
| Global | University of Oxford and The Global Health Network | MENA public health research network and AI-related health research collaboration | 2024 onward |
| Global | University of Huddersfield | Explainable AI for early dementia detection | 2025 |
| Global | Shandong University | Advanced biomedical imaging | 2025 |
| Global | McGill University and University of Bonn | Health technology assessment research | 2025 |
| Global | Global University Systems Canada | Medical education pathways for CUD Public Health graduates | 2024 onward |
The collaborations include formal agreements, research funding and documented programmes of institutional cooperation.
The University distinguishes established partnerships and funded research from subsequent clinical or community outcomes that require further evaluation.
6. Institutional Commitment and Continued Collaboration
Canadian University Dubai is committed to strengthening local, national and international partnerships that contribute to health research, education and well-being.
The University's approach emphasises cooperation between academic researchers, government organisations, healthcare institutions and external partners to address health challenges through research, education and innovation.
During 2025, CUD demonstrated continued engagement through its three Dubai Future Foundation-funded healthcare projects and its collaboration with Dubai Municipality on occupational health, environmental health and food safety.
These developments build upon the University's international public health network and medical education partnerships established in 2024.
CUD seeks to advance these collaborations through the development of research outputs, professional training, knowledge exchange and further opportunities for students and researchers to contribute to health-related initiatives.
Conclusion
Canadian University Dubai maintains a portfolio of health-related collaborations connecting local government authorities, national research institutions and global health research networks.
Through partnerships with Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Future Foundation, the University of Oxford, The Global Health Network, and international academic research institutions, CUD contributes to healthcare innovation, public health capacity building and professional knowledge development.
The University's collaborative activities during 2025 demonstrate its role in connecting research and education with practical healthcare challenges in the UAE and internationally.
These partnerships reflect CUD's commitment to advancing Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Good Health and Well-Being through institutional cooperation, research, innovation and the development of future healthcare expertise.
Supporting Institutional Sources
- Canadian University Dubai — University of Oxford and The Global Health Network Partnership, 18 July 2024.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/canadian-university-dubai-joins-university-oxford-establish-global-health-network-mena-region - Canadian University Dubai — Three DFF-Funded Projects to Advance Healthcare Innovation, 18 July 2025.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/canadian-university-dubai-lead-three-dff-funded-projects-advance-healthcare-innovation - Canadian University Dubai — Dubai Municipality Partnership on Environment, Health and Safety, 20 November 2025.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/canadian-university-dubai-and-dubai-municipality-sign-mou-advance-environment-health-safety - Canadian University Dubai — Global University Systems Canada Medical School Pathways, 19 June 2024.
https://www.cud.ac.ae/news/cud-partners-global-university-systems-canada-create-pathways-medical-schools - Canadian University Dubai — Sustainability Progress Report 2025, SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
- Reporting Year: 2025