- Abu Dhabi University (ADU) partners with DAMAC Group to enhance academic excellence, professional growth, and applied research opportunities.
- Students gain hands-on industry exposure through internships, mentorships, and capstone projects across DAMAC’s operations in real estate, hospitality, retail, logistics, and capital markets.
- Employees and faculty benefit from scholarships, training, and collaborative research, strengthening ADU’s role in industry-relevant learning and workforce development.
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DAMAC Group to enhance academic excellence, professional growth, and opportunities for applied research. The tie-up will offer students exposure to hands-on knowledge of DAMAC's extensive operations in property development, hospitality, retail, logistics, and capital markets, in addition to encouraging mutual research activities and knowledge exchange between the two institutions.
The MoU was inked by Dr. Anas Najdawi, Dubai Campus Director and Associate Professor of Management Information Systems at Abu Dhabi University and Shirin Sehgal, Vice President of People and Performance at DAMAC, in a ceremony held at ADU's Dubai campus. The partnership is in line with ADU's mission to empower students with hands-on skills and in-field experience in preparation for the needs of the modern business landscape.
Dr. Anas Najdawi, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems and Dubai Campus Director at Abu Dhabi University, added "Through our commitment at ADU to give our students the tools and experience they require to excel in industries like real estate, hospitality, and e-business, this collaboration with DAMAC Group represents a transformational opportunity by merging ADU's academic know-how with real-world industry interaction". It provides professionals with the chance to develop their expertise and take their careers to the next level and a stage for students to acquire the skills and expertise necessary to thrive in today's professional world, readying tomorrow's leaders to make significant contributions in the UAE and beyond.
Through this partnership, students of ADU will have access to internships and mentorship, giving them practical experience in industry environments and actual applications of their scholarly work. They will also work on research projects and capstone projects, acquiring hands-on experience to reinforce their studies.
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Meanwhile, employees of DAMAC will enjoy scholarships, in-depth training, and career development programs at ADU's Dubai campus. Both faculty and students will be able to contribute to applied research projects, further enhancing academic-industry partnership. The collaboration further positions ADU as a center for industry-relevant learning, applied research, and workforce development.
M.P. John, DAMAC's Chief Human Capital Officer, stated "This MoU with Abu Dhabi University reflects DAMAC's continued commitment to helping future-proof the talent of academic institutions, while driving a culture of innovation, excellence, and social good".
Shirin Sehgal, DAMAC Vice President of People and Performance, said: "This partnership with Abu Dhabi University shows DAMAC's determination to empower the future generation through education and skills building. By blending ADU's academic knowledge with DAMAC's experience in the industry, we are opening up avenues that equip students and employees to succeed in their professional lives as well as contribute to the UAE's knowledge economy in a positive way".
By bringing academia and industry together, ADU reiterates its vision of cultivating professionals who can inspire innovation and make the UAE's workforce and economy stronger. The university is establishing a platform where students, faculty, and professionals can employ their know-how, learn from one another, and contribute meaningfully to national development agendas.
