Activities and News

Canadian University Dubai launches SUN student scholarships to promote social justice

August 14, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): ​​​​​​​Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has announced the launch of 20 new scholarship awards to promote equal access to educational excellence for students across the Silk-Road Universities Network (SUN). The announcement was made during the ‘Advancing International Collaboration in Sustainability Education for Social Justice Forum’, hosted by CUD and attended by participants from around the world, including Australia, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.

Canadian University Dubai Highlights Global Academic Collaboration in the Latest Issue of SILKROADIA

August 6, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): As the Chair University of SUN, CUD is proud to support a platform that brings together universities across regions to exchange knowledge, share institutional achievements and strengthen meaningful international academic collaboration.

Beyond Intelligence: Creating Sustainable Business Value in the Digital Economy

June 18, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)Canadian University Dubai's (CUD) School of Management recently hosted  Beyond Intelligence: Creating Sustainable Business Value in the Digital Economy, an interdisciplinary expert panel discussion exploring how organizations can create long-term value and competitive advantage in an increasingly digital, data-driven, and globally interconnected business environment.

CUD Students Gain Industry Insights Through HSBC Financial Literacy Session

May 5, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) recently hosted an online session in collaboration with HSBC, providing students with valuable industry insights and practical knowledge in financial literacy.

CUD Students Lead Global Initiative Exploring Youth Mental Health Through Creativity and Technology 

April 13, 2026, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) recently hosted Peace of My Mind, an online student-led global initiative developed by Communication and Creative Industries students under the creative direction of Dr. Arianna Mazzeo, Professor of Communication and Creative Industries at CUD. Bringing together students from CUD alongside international participants from institutions including Harvard University (United States), Concordia University (Canada), and the University of Cape Town (South Africa), the initiative explored youth mental health through creative storytelling, interactive sessions, and technology-driven experiences.

Towards a Sustainable Built Environment: Challenges and Opportunities in the UAE Symposium

  You are invited to attend the symposium “Towards a Sustainable Built Environment: Challenges and Opportunities in the UAE” organized by the CUD International Center of Excellence for Sustainabi…

AI for Sustainability Hackathon 2026

  We are pleased to announce that Canadian University Dubai will be hosting the AI for Sustainability Hackathon 2026, a hybrid innovation event bringing together students, researchers, developers…

How Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is Weaving Sustainability into the Fabric of Academic Life, from Solar Panels to Syllabi

In a city defined by its skyline and ambition, CUD is making a quieter but no less remarkable statement: that a university can be a living laboratory for sustainability. Sitting at the intersection of environmental urgency and academic innovation, CUD has committed to embedding sustainability not as a footnote in its strategic plan, but as a guiding principle threaded through every dimension of campus life. A Campus That Practices What It Teaches: CUD’s operational sustainability initiatives reflect a serious reckoning with the environmental footprint of higher education. The university has invested in energy-efficient systems across its facilities, including LED lighting retrofits, smart HVAC controls, and solar installations that help offset electricity consumption — no small feat in a region where cooling demands are substantial for much of the year.

Advancing Sustainable Solutions Through Training

Dr. Adam Fenech conducted an online training session for the employees of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) for their Sustainability Talks. The training session was organized by the Climate Change and Sustainability Department of DEWA, in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainability and Innovation at CUD. As a renowned climate change expert, Dr. Fenech delivered the training on the topic “Urgency of Climate Change in Today’s World”. Participation in public talks and outreach initiatives helps embed sustainability thinking within public utilities and across CUD’s own community, reinforcing the UAE’s broader push to develop an informed and sustainability-aware workforce.

Sustainable Innovation in the MENA Region: A Conversation with Dr. Soumaya Askri

December 8, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): In a region defined by both ancient wisdom and rapidly evolving landscapes, the question of how the Middle East and North Africa can transform its challenges into opportunities has never felt more urgent.

Canadian University Dubai and Dubai Municipality sign MoU to advance environment, health and safety

November 20, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) Chancellor, Mr. Buti Saeed Al Ghandi, President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Karim Chelli, and Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, Dr. Naseem Abdulla, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) marking the launch of a collaboration to advance research and innovation in environment, health and safety. Announced on the sidelines of the 19th Dubai International Food Safety Conference, the agreement aims to elevate research excellence, advance best practices in food safety, and drive high-impact knowledge exchange, while empowering youth and fostering community engagement across diverse segments of society.

CUD Showcases Award-Winning Engineering Innovations at Dubai Knowledge Summit 2025

November 19, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) made a noteworthy impact at the Dubai Knowledge Summit 2025, where the School of Engineering’s interactive booth attracted exceptional interest from visitors, industry leaders and event organizers across the two-day gathering.

Canadian University Dubai students unveil Dome of Inclusion during Dubai Design Week

November 19 , 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): For the second consecutive year, Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has joined forces with Dubai Holding Entertainment (DHE) and ImInclusive to champion equality and accessibility through the power of design. The collaborative installation, known as the Dome of Inclusion, was officially presented at Dubai Design Week, where Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, visited the installation as part of the event’s opening ceremony.

CUD as Knowledge Partner at the Forbes Middle East Healthcare Leaders Summit 2025

  Canadian University Dubai (CUD) is proud to participate as a Knowledge Partner at the fourth edition of the Forbes Middle East Healthcare Leaders Summit, presented by PureHealth, taking place o…

Canadian University Dubai Incubator launches first innovation start-up

November 7, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai has announced the launch of TrustPaper, the first business venture with a filed patent to emerge from the university’s business Incubator. Powered by ZipTrust, a blockchain-enabled technology, TrustPaper’s groundbreaking innovation enables secure, automatic verification of documents in just seconds.

CUD Communication and Media Students Drive Social Impact with Sanad Body Project

October 31, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Dubai, UAE: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has launched a pioneering industry engagement initiative, the Sanad Body Project, which empowers senior Communication and Media students to apply their marketing and PR skills to a significant social cause. This initiative directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting good health and well-being and reducing inequalities.

CUD, Miral, and SeaWorld Yas Island Forge Three-Year Strategic Partnership

Miral, SeaWorld® Yas Island, and CUD formalized a landmark three-year strategic tripartite MoU. CUD students will access unparalleled volunteering, internship, and hands-on research opportunities across SeaWorld Yas Island, advancing environmental stewardship, experiential learning, and sustainable innovation.

Her Campus, Her Community: Emirati Women Leading Change at CUD

August 28, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): As the nation marks Emirati Women’s Day, female faculty and students at Canadian University Dubai (CUD) are leading the way in promoting innovation, inclusivity, and empowering the next generation of women to shape the future of the Emirates. Among the pioneering Emirati women on campus are Shaima Al Hai, who has made history at CUD as the first female President of the Student Council, and Dr. Khulood Shebib Khansaheb, who is promoting student entrepreneurship as Assistant Professor and Manager of the CUD Incubator. 

Book Launch Event | Sustainable Innovation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region

  You are invited to join us for a special event celebrating the launch of a new academic publication by CUD faculty, titled:Sustainable Innovation in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regi…

Canadian University Dubai architecture students pioneer climate-responsive designs

August 4, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Architecture students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) have unveiled a series of innovative, sustainability-focused design projects developed in response to the unique environmental and climatic conditions of Dubai.

Canadian University Dubai to lead three DFF funded projects to advance healthcare innovation

July 18, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Researchers from the Canadian University Dubai (CUD) have been awarded three separate grants from the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) Program to advance the application of technologies to improve the health of people in the UAE. CUD faculty will be leading each of the projects, that will develop tools to improve health outcomes and position the UAE at the forefront of technology-driven healthcare solutions.

Sustainability in the UAE: Progress, Challenges, and Future Vision with Dr. Seif Khiati

Dr. Seif Khiati served as the invited Guest Speaker at Sustainability in the UAE: Progress, Challenges, and Future Vision. The event, held on June 11, 2025, was organized in collaboration between Canadian University and the Innovative Group for Sustainable Building Printing RI3D-FRQ, Canada. The Innovative Group is a specialized research group based in Quebec, Canada, focusing on advancing sustainable construction through 3D concrete printing technology by building greener and developing low-carbon materials and enhancing energy efficiency. The event highlighted innovative approaches to advancing sustainability in the built environment, aligning strongly with UN SDGs 9, 11, 12, and 13 — Climate Action.

CUD Participation in the Symposium on Smart Materials for Energy-efficient Built Environment Control (SMBEC2025) in Paris

Professor Dr.-Ing. Rafik Belarbi represented Canadian University Dubai and delivered an expert talk at the symposium on Smart Materials for Energy-efficient Built Environment Control (SMBEC2025) in Paris. Professor Belarbi also took part in the expert meeting during the 1st International Symposium on SMBEC2025, and the meeting of international experts participating in IEA EBC - Annex 92: Smart Materials for Energy-Efficient Heating, Cooling and Indoor Air Quality Control in Residential Buildings. Both events were held in Paris on June 10–11, 2025. This program brings together some of the world’s leading universities, including Princeton, Harvard, MIT, Syracuse University, the Technical University of Denmark, the National Research Council (Canada), Hunan University (China), and Université Paris-Saclay, La Rochelle University.

Canadian University Dubai launches MSc in Design Innovation for Circular Economy

June 2, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has launched a Master of Science in Design Innovation for Circular Economy (MSc DICE), to prepare graduates to lead the transition towards sustainable innovation and growth in the region. A first of its kind in the UAE, the program will build skills capacity in support of the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031 and the Centennial 2071 strategy, to decouple economic growth from resource depletion, emphasizing innovation, clean production, and digital transformation.

2nd Workshop on Sustainable Materials and Energies for Resilient Buildings

Professor Rafik Belarbi, Dr. Ammar Yahia and Dr. Seif Khiati chaired the 2nd Workshop on Sustainable Materials and Energies for Resilient Buildings. The workshop was a collaboration between the Collaborative Network La Rochelle University (LRU), University of Sherbrooke (UDS), and Canadian University Dubai (CUD). The workshop was held at La Rochelle University on April 9, 2025. The key covered themes included Sustainable construction materials, energy-efficient building design, 3D printing in construction, heat and mass transfer in porous materials, and climate-responsive architecture. By integrating advanced material science, digital construction technologies, and climate responsive design strategies, this workshop contributes to the development of resilient and sustainable built environments that address both global climate challenges and regional sustainability goals.

Canadian University Dubai students create innovations to tackle sustainability challenges

February 26, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Students from Canadian University Dubai have presented their solutions to a range of sustainability challenges as part of a Hackathon staged in collaboration with HOGENT University, Belgium. Focussing on Sustainable Development Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities, the students tackled issues such as food waste, traffic congestion and accessible public transportation, with specific reference to the cities of Dubai and Ghent. The top three student teams won a share in AED 10,000 prize money for their groundbreaking ideas.

CUD Celebrates International Cultural Day

February 20, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) recently transformed its campus into a vibrant stage for cultural exchange for the International Cultural Day celebrations. The event was a dazzling fusion of music, dance and interactive booths, authentic culinary delights, as students representing over 30 nations showcased the very best of their heritage.

Sustainability Quest: How to Become a Hero in Saving the Earth!

We are thrilled to invite you and your students to Sustainability Quest: How to Become a Hero in Saving the Earth! an engaging workshop hosted by the School of Architecture and Interior Design at Cana…

Canadian University Dubai students develop award-winning taxi management system

January 25, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): A team of engineering students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has created an innovative AI-powered management system to enhance the efficiency and safety of taxi services in Dubai. The new technology, known as SmartTranspo, won the prize for ‘Best Implementation Champion’ at the Alibaba Cloud/AI and RTA Hackathon 2024, staged recently in Dubai.

Canadian University Dubai convenes conference on climate change and tourism

January 8, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has convened a group of academic experts, industry practitioners, and thought leaders in a series of discussions to explore the opportunities and challenges for the tourism industry in the context of climate change.

Celebrating Cultural Diversity and Sustainability Through Music at Canadian University Dubai

December 16, 2024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Canadian University Dubai (CUD), in collaboration with the Embassies of Canada and Germany, the Arabic Music Institute by Emaar, and Berklee Abu Dhabi, recently hosted an unforgettable evening celebrating cultural diversity, unity, and sustainability through the transformative power of music. The evening featured two events that showcased CUD’s commitment to cultivating cultural diversity, inclusivity and sustainability.

Dubai Holding Entertainment in partnership with Canadian University Dubai unveils ‘Shelter of Inclusivity’ art installation at Dubai Design Week

November 5, 2024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): Dubai Holding Entertainment (DHE), is proud to introduce the one on  its kind Shelter of Inclusivity installation at this year’s Dubai Design Week.

Canadian University Dubai showcases Emirati Women leading the way in sustainability

August 28, 2024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE): As the UAE marks Emirati Women’s Day, Canadian University Dubai (CUD) Associate Professor, Dr. Naseem Abdulla, and Environmental Health Management graduate, Maisa Alzayyani, exemplify the crucial role that females in the public sector have to play in achieving the vision ‘We the UAE 2031’. As Acting CEO of EHS Director of Health & Safety Department at Dubai Municipality, Dr. Abdulla is inspiring emerging women leaders like Alzayyani, as they work cohesively to enhance the public health of the city and build a sustainable future inspired by the “We the UAE 2031” vision. 

CUD and Deloitte Spearhead Sustainability Training for a Greener Future

April 25, 2024, United Arab Emirates: Emphasizing its commitment to sustainability education, Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has successfully hosted the "Green Skills for a Green Economy", a pioneering training program by Deloitte Middle East, in collaboration with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

1st Workshop on Sustainable Materials and Energies for Resilient Buildings

1st Workshop on Sustainable Materials and Energies for Resilient Buildings was a collaboration between the Collaborative Network LRU – UDS – CUD. The workshop was held in University of Sherbrooke, Canada on April 2, 2024. This collaborative effort united experts from the University of Sherbrooke in Canada, La Rochelle University in France, and Canadian University Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. With participants joining both in-person and virtually, the event explored critical facets of sustainability in construction and architecture. From 3D printing buildings to investigating heat and mass transfer through porous materials, a wide range of sustainable approaches and architectural trends were addressed. Through international collaboration and interdisciplinary research, the event contributed to advancing knowledge and solutions that support both global sustainability goals and the UAE’s long term environmental and development strategies.

Scholarly Showcase: Advancing Sustainability through Groundbreaking Research

March 8th, 2024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The pursuit of sustainability and corporate responsibility is a complex challenge that demands innovative solutions. In this scholarly showcase, we at Canadian University Dubai (CUD), want to spotlight a series of research studies, that explore the intricate relationship between business practices and global sustainability issues.

Unlocking Sustainable Excellence at Canadian University Dubai

Embracing Sustainability and Tourism | World Tourism Day at CUD

September 27th, 2023 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Canadian University Dubai (CUD) and the Architectural Heritage and Antiquities Department (AHAD) of Dubai Municipality, collaborated to celebrate ‘World Tourism Day’ at the vibrant CUD City Walk campus.

Sustainable Emirati Family Program Series

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) in collaboration with the Soft Power Training Centre, and the Department of Social and Health Events at the Al Nahda Women’s Association in Dubai, organize the ‘Sustain…

A Year’s Worth of Teamwork Pays Off | Students Bring an Innovative Car to Life | Driving the Future in Sustainable Urban Transportation

June 16th, 2023, Dubai (UAE):  The Engineering graduation projects were showcased at an event organized by the School of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology; at the Canadian University Dubai (CUD).  As part of the graduation program requirement, each group comprised of a multi-disciplinary team that presented their respective projects.

Canadian University Dubai Students Present at GITEX | DWTC | 10-14 October 2022

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) are proud of esteemed Computer Science students Mr. Zahab Khan, Mr Prateek Mishra, Mr. Denver Dias who showcased their metamorphic project at the ‘Future Disruptors Zone’ at GITEX, Dubai World Trade Centre during October 2022.

Canadian University Dubai partners with La Rochelle University

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with La Rochelle University (LRU) in France, to establish a new ranges of scientific, research, and teaching colloabrations between the two institutions.

Canadian University Dubai partners with PepsiCo to cut plastic waste through the Aquafina Water Stations

Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has partnered with global Foods and Beverages company, PepsiCo, to help promote environmental sustainability through the reduction of single-use plastic on campus. The collaboration aims to encourage a culture of refill and reuse through the Aquafina Water Station, a new hydration platform that has already saved an average of more than 1,800 bottles per week since installation.

Canadian University Dubai business students turn creative talents into new ventures

Business students from Canadian University Dubai (CUD) are turning their creative talents into entrepreneurial ventures with the launch of a variety of unique, self-made products at the University’s market day events

Faculty of Management webinar 'Championing the Agenda for Sustainable Development: Youth for SDG'

Calling all Faculty of Management students to attend the FREE student webinar titled ‘Championing the Agenda for Sustainable Development: Youth for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)’ on Tuesday…

CUD students accompany Minister of Climate Change and Environment during Bio Farm field trip

22nd April 2019: Students from Canadian University Dubai got the chance to accompany His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, on a two-hour educational tour during their recent field trip to Emirates Bio Farm in Al Ain.

Global Climate Change Conference Opens at CUD

April 23, 2018 Red Theatre, CUD: The 2018 Global Climate Change conference began with an opening ceremony attended by government representatives, members of the Canadian diplomatic community and guest…