Dubai Design District, Canadian University Dubai Partner to Support Emerging Designers

Dubai Design District (d3), the TECOM Group business district for the creative sector, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Canadian University Dubai (CUD) to support emerging design talent in the region.

Under the agreement, d3 and CUD’s School of Architecture and Interior Design (SAID) will collaborate on an annual program of events, exhibitions, workshops and other activities hosted at d3. The partnership also includes plans for CUD students to pursue internships with companies based at the district, providing opportunities to gain industry experience.

“Talented design students and the next generation of designers are a crucial part of our community at d3. They represent the future of our region’s creative industries and are a vibrant source of new ideas and innovation,” said Khadija Al Bastaki, Senior Vice President of Dubai Design District (d3), part of TECOM Group. “Our collaboration with the Canadian University Dubai builds on our established relationships with leading educational institutions. It reinforces d3’s role as a connector, a place to discover the latest design thinking and inspiration. It also underscores our firm commitment to nurturing skilled talent, reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global hub for design excellence in line with Dubai’s Design Sector Strategy 2033.”

Professor Karim Chelli, President and Vice Chancellor of Canadian University Dubai, said: “At Canadian University Dubai, we believe that exceptional design education must be connected to exceptional industry ecosystems. Our partnership with Dubai Design District creates a powerful bridge between academia and practice, providing our students with direct access to one of the most influential creative communities globally. Together, we are creating opportunities for emerging talent to engage with real-world challenges, collaborate with industry leaders, and contribute to shaping the future of design, architecture, and innovation in Dubai and beyond.”

The agreement follows an earlier collaboration between the two organizations, under which CUD held its “Designing Futures: SAID Graduation Exhibition 2026” at d3. The exhibition featured projects by graduating architecture and interior design students.

CUD, which opened in 2006, is home to one of the UAE’s largest architecture and interior design faculties.

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