Canadian University Dubai is committed to fostering an inclusive and barrier-free learning environment where every individual is empowered to reach their maximum potential. As one of the first universities in the UAE to welcome students with special educational needs, we provide a comprehensive support ecosystem that includes individualized academic accommodations, assistive technology, and dedicated counseling services.

Disability Support Office

Ms. Simran Siddiqui

Ms. Simran Siddiqui heads the counselling office and oversees the EDI and Disability Support offices in CUD. Together with Student Affairs and Human Resources, Ms. Simran ensures all matters of EDI and disability support is properly addressed at all management levels.

Schedule an appointment, call, or visit us. We're here to support you.

+971 4 709 6292

25400 739775

HUB 1 – 05

Simran.Siddiqui@cud.ac.ae

StudentCounsellor@cud.ac.ae

Equitable Opportunities for Staff

Our commitment to inclusion extends beyond the classroom to every member of our workforce. CUD provides a supportive professional environment for staff members of determination, ensuring that our recruitment and employment practices are accessible and equitable. We provide the necessary workplace accommodations and physical infrastructure, including designated parking, specialized elevators, and accessible facilities across our campus, to ensure that all employees can contribute their expertise in a safe and accommodating setting.

Targeted Supports for Students of Determination

CUD maintains dedicated support for students with disabilities (“students of determination”). We are committed to fostering an inclusive and safe learning environment for students of determination and students with disabilities.

Students who have a documented physical, psychological, learning or other challenge are eligible for academic accommodations, determined on a case-by-case basis. These accommodations can include extra time on exams, assistive technology, specialized learning resources, note-taking support or access to a distraction-reduced environment. CUD’s approach is individualized and confidential: staff work closely with each student to accommodate their individual needs and ensure they have equal opportunity to reach their maximum potential.

Beyond accommodations, CUD offers formal support programs: as one alumni interview notes, CUD was “among the first universities in the UAE to welcome students with special educational needs”, and has “supported more than 100 determined students” through scholarships, one-on-one tutoring, and a dedicated counselor to provide academic and pastoral care. These combined services — from admission scholarships to learning support and counseling — demonstrate CUD’s institutional commitment to reducing barriers for disabled students.

Horizontal bar chart showing enrolment of students of determination at CUD: 85 in 2022–23, 96 in 2023–24, 110 in 2024–25, and 109 in 2025–26 — **Number of Students of Determination Enrolled in CUD (2022–2026)**
Enrollment by academic year: 85 in 2022–23, 96 in 2023–24, 110 in 2024–25 (peak), and 109 in 2025–26. CUD has seen a steady increase in enrolled students of determination, with a slight decrease projected for 2025–26.

Scholarships for Students of Determination

We at Canadian University Dubai pledge to provide an inclusive learning environment and to support the cognitive, emotional and creative development of students with disabilities. Special needs may be justified by physical or other disabilities. Students eligible for a Special Needs Scholarship will benefit from a tuition reduction of up to 40%.

For more information, visit www.cud.ac.ae/scholarships or get in touch with scholarship@cud.ac.ae.

Career Placements

CUD Career Services remains committed to fostering an inclusive professional environment by bridging the gap between students of determination and the global workforce through targeted partnerships and specialized recruitment initiatives. By collaborating with organizations like I Am Inclusive—a leading recruitment agency for people of determination—the office ensures that students with Special Educational Needs (SEN) have direct access to inclusive employers during key events like the CUD Career Fair. While the previously planned Social Enterprise Seminar has been postponed due to regional challenges, the office continues to prioritize these vital connections through alternative engagement strategies. These efforts are further bolstered by the ongoing recruitment of specialized SEN coordination staff, ensuring that every student receives personalized career guidance and accommodation.

While the university is actively scaling its placement tracking for students of determination through these new partnerships, the specific headcount of hired students with disabilities is currently being consolidated as part of the 2026 employability reporting cycle. Moving forward, the implementation of automated platforms will allow for more granular tracking of these success stories to better reflect CUD’s commitment to diverse and equitable employment outcomes.