The Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP) courtyard was buzzing with life on Monday 18 November as students, alumni, faculty, and families gathered for the long-awaited return of Middlesex University Dubai International Day.International Day has been a longstanding feature on the social calendar; celebrating its 16th edition, this year once again highlighted the university’s rich traditions of cultural diversity, as different nationalities came together for an afternoon of global unity, music, food, and dance.This year, the university was not only celebrating a much-loved tradition, but also the 20th anniversary of MDX Dubai! Our branch campus was established in December 2004, opening for the first time in January 2005 with just 28 students. This International Day is part of a series of celebrations that will recognise the history, diversity, and cultural significance of Middlesex University in the region.The courtyard of the Dubai Knowledge Park campus was transformed into a festival space with colourful flags and bustling stalls, with 36 nations represented by students from those countries.Students took pride in showcasing their cultures through beautifully decorated stalls, offering an array of traditional foods, handcrafted goods, and interactive experiences. From the savoury spices of South Asia to the sweet delights of Latin America, the food offerings were as diverse as the community itself.The official programme kicked off with the UAE National Anthem, a moment of national unity, followed by the Fashion Show, where students walked the runway in specially created attire that highlighted the sustainable initiatives championed by the university.This was followed by a series of musical and dance performances from students, featuring bands from the music club who put on energetic routines.Then it was the turn of the dance clubs, from Arabic and classical Indian styles to the high-energy steps of Salsa, Afro, and Hip-Hop, the performances captivated the audience. The Bollywood, K-pop, and South Style dances were particularly popular, with students cheering for their peers as they brought a global fusion of styles to the stage.Our special guests this year included Vice-Chancellor Shân Wareing and Pro-Vice Chancellor Janet Jones from our Hendon campus, who spent the day exploring the campus beforehand. They had the opportunity to meet students from our key student initiatives such as the Student Council and the Middlesex Innovation Hub, before hearing an inspiring discussion from students from our Centre for Academic Success and viewing a showcase from our graphic design students.This International Day event showed once again how MDX Dubai is a hub of cultural diversity, unity, creativity, and inclusivity.

On Saturday, 9 November 2024, Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai had the privilege of hosting a UAE edition of the first UNCITRAL Day for Arab States initiative in collaboration with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).The event brought together key figures from the legal, academic, and policy sectors across the region to engage in discussions on the future of international arbitration. The UNCITRAL Day for Arab States is part of a global initiative by UNCITRAL aimed at promoting dialogue and improving the legal frameworks for international trade and arbitration.The first panel examined the transparency vs confidentiality dilemma in arbitration, where speakers explored the delicate balance between fostering transparency in arbitration and maintaining the confidentiality needed for sensitive disputes. In that context, the UNCITRAL Transparency Standards, which are celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2024, have been highlighted as a sound example for enhancing transparency in treaty-based investor-state arbitrations, to tackle the concerns surrounding Investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS).The standards that are being considered or have been implemented in various states in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, also paved the way for the ongoing work by UNCITRAL Working Group III on ISDS reform. The second panel provided a detailed explanation of the new UNCITRAL Code of Conduct for Arbitrators, outlining its essential obligations and how it aims to standardise ethical standards in the field. An exchange of views on different possible means of implementation of this soft law instrument ensued.The discussions were enriched by the contributions of prominent speakers and leaders of key institutions, including Yaochen Gong, Legal Officer, UNCITRAL secretariat; Nikola Kovacikova, Associate Legal Officer, UNCITRAL secretariat; Fatima Balfaqeeh, Managing Partner at Balfaqeeh Advocates & Legal Consultants; Professor Giovanni Zara, Senior Associate, Hogan Lovells; Christian Alberti, Chief of ADR and General Counsel of the Saudi Centre for Commercial Arbitration; Kristin Campbell-Wilson, Executive Director, Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre; Sherif Akl, Director of the International Chamber of Commerce; and Ezzeddine Baassiri, Founder & Managing Partner, Baassiri Law Firm, Counsel, Lebanese Arbitration and Mediation Centre.Yasmin Sebah, Senior Law Lecturer at MDX Dubai, said: “With arbitration being increasingly utilised as a preferred method of dispute resolution for international investment and commercial agreements across the region, the UNCITRAL Day for Arab States at Middlesex University Dubai could not have been timelier.“It was fascinating to discuss the fine art of balancing transparency and confidentiality in arbitration, and why we need to develop adaptable frameworks that build trust while safeguarding sensitive interests. The UNCITRAL Code of Conduct for Arbitrators and its efforts to uphold ethics and professionalism was another key focus of the event, leaving all attendees with new insights, enriched knowledge, and fresh perspectives on the complexities of arbitration."Professor Tenia Kyriazi, Deputy Director of Teaching & Learning, Law and Sciences Head of Law and Politics at MDX Dubai, said: “It was an honour to host the UAE UNCITRAL Day for Arab States here at Middlesex University Dubai. UNCITRAL’s initiatives have long been instrumental in enhancing legal certainty and stability for cross-border transactions, which are crucial for economic growth in the Arab region.“This was an outstanding event that truly reflected our commitment to providing quality education to our students within and beyond the classroom and empowering them to lead fulfilling and successful careers.“The event provided our students with a valuable opportunity to engage with leading experts, gain insights into contemporary legal challenges, and explore potential career paths in international trade and arbitration. We want to express our gratitude to UNCITRAL for partnering with us and to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the distinguished speakers, partners and students who contributed to the day’s engaging discussions.”MDX Dubai is committed to offering high quality education, through its engaging and up-to-date curriculum, as well as exposing students to employers and supporting them to develop skills that will empower them to be successful professionals, and lead fulfilling careers.

Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai have taken another step towards sustainability with the launch of a new recycling programme in collaboration with EnviroServe, a leading environmental services provider.The launch, which took place on Thursday 7 November 2024, was attended by students, faculty, and staff who gathered to learn about the initiative, student projects and how they can contribute to the UN’s ambition goal of attaining 100% resource recovery – with all materials and products recovered, recycled or reused.The programme, designed to improve waste management and promote sustainable practices across the campus, includes the installation of four dry-waste recycling bins in the main lobbies and a dedicated e-waste collection bin in Block 16 at the Dubai Knowledge Park campus.The goal of the in initiative is to make recycling more accessible and efficient for the entire university community, allowing students and staff to easily dispose of plastics, paper, glass, and cans.During the event, representatives from EnviroServe and the MDX Institute of Sustainable Development (ISD) outlined the key objectives of the programme: raising awareness about environmental issues, promoting responsible recycling, and minimising contamination in the recycling bins.The launch event featured presentations from business students and the poetry and public speaking club, where students shared reflections on the importance of environmental consciousness, sustainability and how to reduce food wastage.EnviroServe is a leading environmental services company based in the UAE, specialising in sustainable waste management solutions. Known for its advanced recycling facilities, EnviroServe helps businesses and communities manage waste in an environmentally responsible way, ensuring that materials are properly processed and diverted from landfills.The introduction of accessible recycling bins across campus, partnered with EnviroServe, shows the University’s proactive steps toward supporting the goals set out in the UAE Green Agenda 2030. This national initiative aims to reduce the country’s environmental footprint by promoting waste reduction, increasing recycling rates, and fostering a circular economy.