Indian Business and Professional Council Dubai, the Indian Consulate and Dubai International Academic City have called for stronger Indo-UAE collaboration on AI-ready, skills-based education in Dubai, with a renewed focus on lifelong learning and innovation to support future workforce development.
The call came during the IBPC Dubai Higher Education and Workforce Preparedness Focus Group business breakfast, held under the theme “Building a Future-Ready Education Ecosystem in Dubai”. Education leaders, policymakers and industry stakeholders highlighted the growing importance of aligning academic programmes with evolving workforce needs, particularly as artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries across the region.
Speaking at the event, Shri Yatin Patel, Deputy Consul General of India in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, highlighted the deepening India-UAE education partnership, citing the establishment of the IIM-Ahmedabad Dubai campus as a milestone in bilateral academic cooperation and acknowledging the role of platforms such as IBPC Dubai in enabling cross-sector engagement.
Dubai International Academic City’s Director of Business Development, Chindu Mohsin, said the future of work will demand a combination of technological expertise and human skills such as creativity, adaptability, critical thinking and collaboration. He also pointed to rising demand for vocational training, professional development and other lifelong learning opportunities.
The discussions reflected a growing consensus that AI integration, employability-focused learning, internships, and industry-led curriculum design will shape the next phase of education reform in the UAE. Participants also stressed the need to expand applied learning through structured industry exposure and accelerate EdTech innovation.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sunil Sinha, Vice Chairperson of IBPC Dubai, highlighted the organisation’s growth and inclusivity, noting that female membership has increased by over 150 per cent in the past year, reflecting broader participation in the business and professional ecosystem. Dr. Sahitya Chaturvedi, Secretary General of IBPC Dubai, outlined the organisation’s upcoming initiatives for June.
Concluding the session, Dr. Brahamanadan said the discussions underscored a clear shift in Dubai’s education landscape, with skills demand, AI-driven transformation, and industry participation emerging as key drivers, and collaboration between academia, government, and business remaining central to sustaining the emirate’s position as a global knowledge hub.
Participants agreed that AI integration, employability-focused learning, internships and industry-led curriculum design will be critical to the next phase of education reform in the UAE. They also discussed proposals to strengthen quality standards and encourage greater collaboration between educational institutions and industry.
Organisers said the discussions reflected a growing consensus that closer partnerships between academia, government and business will be essential to sustaining Dubai’s position as a leading global hub for knowledge, innovation and talent development.
