- MAHE Dubai signs MoU with Behaviour Enrichment to provide psychology students hands-on clinical training and industry exposure.
- Over 150 psychology students annually to benefit from internships, practicum placements, guest lectures, and collaborative research at BE’s Al Barsha and Al Nahda centers.
- Partnership aligns with UAE’s vision for inclusive education and mental health, building a skilled workforce for children of determination.
Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Behaviour Enrichment (BE), a specialized provider of therapy and educational services for children with a range of developmental needs, to integrate extensive industry-based learning experiences for psychology students.
This alliance will have MAHE Dubai's Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts (MILA) offer over 150 students every year across undergraduate and postgraduate courses in psychology direct access to actual clinical settings and customized training programs. BE will provide internships, practicum placements, and hands-on training at its Al Barsha and Al Nahda campuses, while its seasoned staff will act as guest lecturers and trainers, imparting real-world experience and industry expertise to equip students for careers in one of the region's most vital and fast-growing industries.
The UAE's emphasis on special needs education and mental health services has created substantial demand for educated professionals in education and developmental therapy for children of determination. This collaboration expressly meets that demand, building a pipeline of talented professionals with both academic intensity and hands-on clinical training.
"Having Behaviour Enrichment as a partner is a thrilling next step in providing our students with learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom", said Prof. Elsa Ashish Thomas, Chairperson of the Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts at MAHE Dubai. With this partnership, students will develop the specialist skills to make a tangible impact on the lives of children of determination, while also gaining the critical professional skills, empathy, and social responsibility that are essential. By marrying sound academic grounding with practical clinical practice, we are enabling our graduates to become confident, competent professionals equipped to excel in psychology and special education.
Mrs. Meera Ramani, Managing Director, Behaviour Enrichment, said, "At Behaviour Enrichment, it's our mission to build meaningful bridges between theoretical research and real-world application in special needs education and therapy. MAHE Dubai's high standards of scholarship, coupled with our clinical hands-on experience, makes for a perfect platform to collaborate on the strength of shared values. Considering the vital nature of our industry, we're delighted to open MAHE Dubai students to the opportunity of learning in our clinical premises, giving them real, practical exposure that develops both professional skills and the deep empathy critical for success in clinical sciences".
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Students will work side by side with children of varied developmental needs at BE's Al Barsha and Al Nahda centers while involved in combined clinical services where psychology and applied behaviour analysis (ABA) professionals work together. They will also be involved in collaborative research projects that examine early intervention outcomes, ABA utilization, and evidence-based psychological interventions, with combined certifications proposed for special training programs.
The collaboration is especially useful for students who wish to pursue education for children of determination with specializations in clinical psychology and educational psychology. It also enhances the psychology stream of MAHE Dubai's newly introduced BA (Honours) Liberal Arts program by providing applied exposure.
The MoU also enables collaborative research among faculty, postgraduate students, and undergraduates. Research results can be co-publications, conference papers, and collaborative learning protocols that enhance evidence-based practices. Joint research will also enable faculty professional development through collaborative research, workshops, and collaboration with BE professionals on training programs, achieving hands-on experience to improve teaching and supervision.
The first activities are anticipated to commence in September 2025, with the project closely resonating with the vision of the UAE for inclusive education and mental health care, and also supporting mutual learning among clinical practitioners and MAHE Dubai teaching staff.
Through this collaboration, MAHE Dubai further enhances its position as a regional champion in psychology education, educating future graduates who can provide quality contributions to the UAE's mental health and developmental support sector. Photo caption: Dr. S. Sudhindra, Pro Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai and Mrs. Meera Ramani, Managing Director, Behaviour Enrichment, sign the Memorandum of Understanding.
