Students and parents across the UAE now have a direct opportunity to meet representatives from more than 35 universities and institutions under one roof as KT UniExpo Dubai 2026 opened today in the city. The two-day event, held at Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, marks the 10th edition of the popular higher-education fair organised by Khaleej Times.
The expo brings together institutions from the UAE, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, India, Australia and Europe. Programmes on offer range from artificial intelligence and data science to medicine, aviation engineering, business, finance, media and design. Families can speak face-to-face with university admissions specialists and career guidance professionals while gathering practical information on entry requirements, scholarships, financial aid, visa pathways and future career opportunities linked to different degrees.
The event was inaugurated by Ted Kemp, Chief Content Officer of Khaleej Times, and Abdallah Muhana, Senior Vice President and Head of Education Solutions at RAKBANK. Kemp highlighted the newspaper’s wider role in supporting the education community at a time when the UAE is emerging both as a destination for international students and as a launchpad for Emirati and resident students heading overseas.
“Khaleej Times has a broader mission of serving the education landscape students, parents and the wider community,” Kemp said. “Education is, of course, about nurturing young minds, but it is also an industry, and like every other industry, the UAE has become a global hub for education and opportunity.”
He noted the two-way flow of talent. “There are students here who want to go abroad to study, but equally, there are many students from overseas who want to come to the UAE. So, there is this two-way movement of students, ideas and opportunities. For us, it’s exciting to be right in the middle of that dynamic space.”
For many families, the expo offers a chance to move beyond online research and ask detailed questions about course content, admission criteria, tuition fees and post-graduation employment prospects. The growing interest in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and data science is reflected in the range of programmes showcased.
Financial support and practical logistics are also receiving attention. Abdallah Muhana, Senior Vice President and Head of Skiply Program & Education Solutions at RAKBANK, explained how the bank’s Skiply ecosystem is designed to connect parents, students and universities.
“We understand the value of the education sector and what we need to offer parents, students and the wider education community,” Muhana said. “Today, Skiply is powered by RAKBANK, with a fully dedicated ecosystem connecting parents, students and universities.”
Through the Skiply app, parents can select a university, make tuition payments and opt for instalment plans using a RAKBANK card with zero percent fees. For students going abroad, the platform also supports visa services, accommodation arrangements and tuition payments via Flywire, powered by RAKBANK.
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“For study-abroad programmes, we can also add value for parents who are sending their children to different countries. We can manage their visa services and accommodation, as well as tuition fee payments through Flywire, powered by RAKBANK,” Muhana added.
The expo is particularly relevant for high-school students preparing for undergraduate study and for families at the early stages of university planning. Visitors can meet university representatives one-on-one, compare programmes side by side, and discuss individual academic plans in a single location.
Over the years, KT UniExpo has established itself as a practical platform that helps UAE-based students and parents navigate an increasingly complex higher-education landscape. With global university options expanding and new degree pathways emerging in fields such as AI, the event aims to bring essential information academic programmes, admissions processes, costs, scholarships and career outcomes into one accessible setting.
Admission to KT UniExpo is free. The event runs from 8am to 6pm at Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai.
As the UAE continues to strengthen its position as both a home for international students and a gateway for local talent seeking overseas education, events such as KT UniExpo play an important role in connecting families with the information and support they need to make informed decisions about the future.
