Applications open for students to continue Sorbonne University’s UAE legacy of excellence

The institution, based on Al Reem Island, has state-of-the-art facilities and a 93,000 square metre campus. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

This page was produced by The National in partnership with Sorbonne University

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) is preparing to add to its recognition as one of the region’s premier institutions for higher education with the next cohort of academics. The French-Emirati university has begun accepting applications for January 2025 admissions, following on from a strong year for the educational hub.

It experienced a 20 per cent increase in student enrolment the current academic year, reflecting its growing reputation in the Middle East.

SUAD was established in 2006 through a partnership between Sorbonne Universite in the French capital, and the Government of Abu Dhabi. It is an alliance that combines more than 750 years of academic excellence from Sorbonne Paris’s rich legacy with the UAE capital’s focus on innovation and vision for a brighter future.

The institution, based on Al Reem Island, has an alumni network of more than 3,000 graduates, state-of-the-art facilities, a 93,000 square metre campus, an expert faculty, and a curriculum that incorporates the latest advancements in technology and policy.

The university says it is dedicated to cultivating global leaders equipped to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including sustainability, artificial intelligence (AI), and climate change.

SUAD claims a student body that represents more than 60 countries, reflecting the multicultural nature of the UAE to create a vibrant environment where students learn from one another, broaden their perspectives, and embrace global collaboration.

The university’s diverse programmes and degrees, delivered with “academic excellence”, empower students to become “visionary leaders” who can overcome current challenges and “pave the way for a more promising tomorrow”, says Professor Nathalie Marial-Braz, the newly appointed chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

SUAD confirms that under her leadership, the affiliated campus has had a “transformative year”, marked by that 20 per cent increase in student enrolment, confirming the impact of its thriving academic reputation.

The university has also restructured its departments into three schools, namely The School of Law, Economics, and Business, The School of Data, Science and Engineering, and The School of Arts and Humanities.

SUAD now offers 11 bachelor’s degrees, and 14 master’s programmes, with some available in English, others in French, and a Continuing Education Centre that provides certifications in UAE law, Digital Humanities, French Language, and other subjects.

The degrees are awarded by Sorbonne Universite and Universite Paris Cite.

All SUAD programmes are evaluated by the Higher Council for the Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES) and accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation. Furthermore, all programmes are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA).

SUAD recently celebrated its 15th graduation ceremony under the patronage of Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation and chair of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s Board of Trustees - 217 master’s and bachelor’s graduates were honoured at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi.

The degrees are recognised worldwide while SUAD also offers hands-on programmes to prepare students for the global job market.

It collaborates with prestigious partners to provide valuable experience and networking opportunities, the university’s recent partnership with Al Tamimi Group being a prime example as it was able to deliver an eight-week series of sessions for students on the Legal Clinic course.

SUAD also partnered with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi to develop sustainable waste reduction strategies for the emirate through a multidisciplinary approach that integrates sociology, psychology, and waste management.

That dovetails neatly into the university’s commitment to advancing research that directly benefits society, with the SAFIR - Sorbonne Abu Dhabi for Innovation and Research Institute - playing a central role.

Its interdisciplinary research initiatives focus on addressing some of the most pressing challenges faced by both the UAE and the world at large. This spans areas such as AI, public health, and cultural development, in which SAFIR contributes to the development of cutting-edge solutions and plays a key role in shaping public policies.

Through collaboration with local communities, government entities, and international partners, the institute helps ensure that SUAD research has a positive and lasting impact on both local and broader, worldwide communities.

Cultural exchange is also at the heart of SUAD’s mission to broaden perspective and connect communities and sees it engage with the public to serve as a hub for cultural initiatives in Abu Dhabi.

The university’s 2024-2025 Cultural Season initiatives feature art exhibits, lectures, concerts and cultural events. These events reinforce the role of the campus as a hub for academic and cultural advancement and attract people from across Abu Dhabi and other emirates who can also witness and learn more about different traditions and cultures.

Adding to this cultural brief, the SUAD library recently hosted an exhibition titled 50 Years of Shared History: Celebrating UAE–France Friendship which gathered rare archival materials from both nations to offer an immersive exploration of the enduring partnership across politics, culture, education, military and emerging fields such as space and sustainable development. Several other exhibitions are in the pipeline, including one focusing on the evolution of traditional women’s clothing and gold ornaments in the UAE.

All in all, it is perhaps no surprise that Sorbonne Université is ranked 41st globally in the Shanghai rankings, and holds top positions in mathematics (4th) and physics (17th).

Its law programmes rank at 19 and SUAD’s School of Arts and Humanities was named the top Humanities Education University by Forbes in 2019.

Prospective students aspiring to be part of this prestigious university and its vibrant programmes are encouraged to apply early.

They can campus visits and further assistance through the university website at https://www.sorbonne.ae/apply-now/