The Middlesex Innovation Hub (MIH) at MDX Dubai proudly hosted the second edition of Tabtakir 2025 on 26 February 2025, in line with UAE Innovates month. This event brought together students, faculty, alumni, and several industry leaders, all united by a shared passion for innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.  Featuring the top innovations from different departments developed by current students as well as MDX alumni, in collaboration with MIH, projects spanned a wide array of fields, including technology, sustainability, healthcare, and social impact, highlighting the impressive ingenuity and vision of the next generation of innovators. Innovations included a smart trash sorter, a robotic arm that can grab items using a smartphone app, a smart home that tracks user movements and turns electronics on or off, a smart medicine dispenser that automatically dispenses a patient’s medicine as per the doctors’ instructions, and a motion tracking system that allows users to play a game by moving or jumping. Dr Ilham Sebah, Senior Psychology Lecturer, MDX Dubai, delivered a keynote address, sharing her expertise on developing an entrepreneurial mindset and resilience. She spoke about the significance of how entrepreneurs need to maintain a good work-life balance and how being an entrepreneur can take a toll on someone both physically and mentally. She was followed by Yasmine Junaid, Founder, SoFree Organics, who took everyone through her entrepreneurial journey, how she scaled a business from a small kitchen and overcame obstacles despite the many challenges faced. Attendees also heard from students who have experienced the MIH’s programmes and the ways they support the growth of a potential prototype or plan.The event was brought to students by the MIH as part of their mission to breed innovation as a lifelong mindset, involving creativity, problem solving, and solution-driven thinking. The MIH is the central community on campus for all education and research initiatives related to innovation and entrepreneurship, boosting students employability.

Celebrating International Women's Day, Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai hosted an event showcasing the strength, resilience, and achievements of women.Organised by MDX Lens and the Student Council, the panel, which took place on 12 March 2025, featured six distinguished female alumni from the university. This year’s global theme, "Accelerate Action", called for moving beyond conversations and taking tangible steps toward gender equality. The panel shared their insights about breaking barriers in leadership and STEM, implementing policies for workplace inclusivity, leveraging technology to empower women, and fostering mentorship to shape future leaders.The panellists included:Heetali Mehta, People Manager at Giorgio Armani, discussed the importance of leadership and inclusivity in the fashion industry. Heetali said: “People will try and undermine you, as long as you understand yourself and your worth, there is no one who can stop you.”Maleeha Murad, Product Manager at Smart Crowd, spoke about the role of technology in empowering women and shaping future opportunities.Suzan Shaban, Trainee Solicitor at Pinsent Masons, emphasised the value of mentorship and breaking down barriers for women in law.Priyanka Awatramani, Consultant at Grant Thornton, shared her experience of overcoming challenges: “You don’t have to be aggressive to be assertive.”Jana Habson, Psychologist and Social Therapist at MCM Dubai, discussed the need for support when a woman starts a family and the role it plays in fostering a positive, inclusive workplace environment.Tala Bayado, Learning Support Assistant at Arbor School, shared her insights on how education can be a powerful tool in promoting gender equality.Throughout the panel discussion, the speakers highlighted the importance of mentorship, inclusivity, and leadership in creating opportunities for women in male-dominated industries. In addition there were interactive games hosted by student social clubs, including design challenges and trivia, followed by a meet and greet session with bestselling author and philanthropist Sarmistha Mitra.The event was concluded by Professor Fehmida Hussain, Deputy Director Engagement and Student Experience, Head of CEI, MDX Dubai, who said: “Thank you to all our alumni on the panel, MDX Lens and Student Council who have made this such a great event. “We take one day out a year to celebrate our achievements, but it is something we are working on day in day out, 365 days a year, and at MDX Dubai we have embedded this in all our teaching and programmes.“We are continuously working on Sustainable Development Goal five, Gender Equality, it is a shared responsibility across the university and wider society. “Through this we can build a future where leadership is defined by vision, where talent knows no gender and where equality is not an aspiration, but a reality.”  

Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai have become the first university in the UAE partner with the Association for Project Management (APM).A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed on 4 March by Professor Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University and Director of Middlesex University Dubai, and Carilyn Burman, Director of Membership and Business Development, APM.The collaboration aims to integrate APM’s extensive expertise into the academic framework at MDX Dubai, offering students access to cutting-edge project management skills, industry-recognised qualifications, and a global network of professionals. By joining forces with APM, the university will further enhance its learning opportunities, strengthen industry connections, and empower the next generation of project management leaders.APM are the leading professional body for the project management profession and the only chartered body in the field. They promote best practices, professional standards, and continuous development within the project management profession. This partnership will advance the university's commitment to providing its students with world-class project management education and industry-relevant qualifications.With a commitment to advancing the profession, APM play a crucial role in shaping the future of project management through education, research, and advocacy.Professor Fehmida Hussain, Deputy Director of Engagement and Student Experience, Head of Computer Engineering and Informatics (CEI), MDX Dubai, said: “This partnership not only cements our commitment to fostering robust industry partnerships but also underscores the critical role of affiliation with a leading project management body in advancing best practices and innovation.”Take advantage of more than 500 industry connections and join MDX Dubai this year. With more than eighty programmes to choose from at foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate level, there is something for everyone. Apply now.