A Year of Innovation, Growth and Achievement at Middlesex University Dubai

As we say a warm hello to 2025, Middlesex University (MDX) Dubai reflects on a successful 2024 filled with growth, achievement, and exciting new milestones. From groundbreaking academic programmes to vibrant student life and impactful community initiatives, last year marked a transformative period for the university.

The year began with renewed energy as MDX Dubai ushered in 2024 with 50 students embarking on the first of three international trips in January this one to the cultural centre of Baku in Azerbaijan.

February saw the University’s largest careers fair to date with more than 150 organisations on campus, providing students and alumni with various opportunities to network and explore openings and internships. 

Impact Club completed a ‘beat diabetes’ walkathon and a trip to the turtle rehabilitation project. Did you know the university has eighteen active social and cultural clubs?

Four teams of students from MDX Dubai’s RoboTechX Lab participated in the second edition of Emirates Robotics Competition organised by Khalifa University, with one team taking home first prize in the ‘Manipulation’ category.

Later in the month, the university hosted the Tabtakir 2024 an event in alignment with UAE Innovates, one of the world’s largest innovation festivals. The event showcased thirteen innovative projects by Computer Engineering and Informatics students, transforming theoretical concepts into tangible prototypes. 

In March, over 1,000 students graduated at the iconic Jumeirah Beach Hotel, collecting their scrolls and leaving as official MDX Dubai alumni. They were joined by honorary graduates His Excellency Dr Sultan Saif Al Neyadi, one of the first two astronauts from the United Arab Emirates, and Elham Alqasim, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Majid Al Futtaim, and the first Arab woman to successfully ski to the North Pole unassisted. Both spoke to graduating students about the opportunities that were before them, and how the alumni could forge their own paths with an adventurous and inquisitive spirit.  

The MDX Innovation Hub was officially launched by His Excellency Khalfan Belhoul, MDX Dubai honorary graduate and CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, reinforcing the university’s commitment to innovation and technology.
Additionally 33 students headed to Tbilisi and the mountains in Georgia for the second international trip and a week of skiing. 

April saw the annual For the Love of the Planet festival hosted by the Institute of Sustainable Development and featured student projects focused on issues around sustainable fashion, food and design sustainability, and developing a circular economy.

In May, the third international trip got underway with 50 students travelling to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in Japan, for an “overwhelmingly incredible and transformative experience”. 

The university hosted the Seventh Emerging Research Paradigms in Business and Social Sciences (ERPBSS) conference, bringing together hundreds of delegates from over 30 countries, emphasising the theme ‘Sustainability Revisited: Adapting to a New Global Landscape.’

Student researchers won a multitude of awards at the 8th Undergraduate Research Competition (URC) organised by Abu Dhabi University in June. Students dominated in Education, Media, and Psychology, winning seven of the nine awards. 

The BA Honours Fashion students were able to showcase their work at the second annual Icon Show to VIP guests and judging panellists Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos and Yaser Albeer. The show provided a platform for the 17 talented designers to exhibit cutting edge collections on a professional catwalk in front of media, influencers and celebrity designers.

Across June, July and August, young people from across 28 different countries joined the MDX Dubai summer camp, with students taken on a journey of specialist discovery sessions, academic skills workshops, soft skills sessions, and thrilling outings across Dubai.

Over the summer the University continued to look forward with several exciting initiatives put into place.  A new MBA course with daytime delivery was launched, several other new courses begun including MSc Sports Performance Analysis, MSc Financial Technology and MSc Legal Technology, and new upgraded spaces were opened to enhance the student experience.

September saw the largest ever set of students with more than 6,300 enrolling at the University in total, and new joiners were wowed by the annual Week of Welcome with student performances,  activities, and brand activations from brands such as La Roche Posay, Maybelline and Raising Canes. 

Meanwhile, more than 40 alumni and faculty joined together for an evening of friendly competition and connection on the padel courts in our alumni community reunion.

In October the International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 Women's World Cup Trophy came to campus as part of its tour ahead of the Women’s World Cup, held in the UAE. 

In addition, the third annual Language and Culture Exchange fair took place, bringing together students from different countries and backgrounds to connect and share knowledge. This was closely followed by a visit from Team GB sprinter Tommy Ramdhan who gave an inspiring talk on elite sport and how to overcome adversity.

There was a series of outstanding achievements from the accounting and finance department, including second-year student Aston Noronha, who scored the highest mark in the world on the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants exam.

More than 1,450 students and recent alumni were on campus for the annual Gradstock employability festival. The festival attracted more than 100 leading employers, including Emirates Airline, Microsoft and Porsche, offering students the opportunities to network and explore internship and job openings.

November was a month for cultural exchange, as the university hosted its annual International Day, celebrating the diversity of its student body. Students showcased their unique cultural backgrounds through performances, food stalls, and exhibitions, reinforcing the commitment to fostering a global community. 

The university also celebrated its 20th anniversary in Dubai at the iconic Jumeirah Burj Al Arab hotel. The grand commemoration brought together distinguished guests, including university leadership, students, alumni, faculty, staff, partners, and key stakeholders.

Visiting from London for the occasion, Professor Shân Wareing, Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University, spoke about the university’s strong collaboration between its campuses in London, Dubai and Mauritius, and the role MDX Dubai has played in shaping the university's global reputation, while Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Janet Jones awarded some key staff with well-deserved long service awards.

Later in the month, Peter Cheese, the Chief Executive Officer of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), was on campus and personally presented certificates to the graduates of the most recent CIPD course.

As the year came to an end,  students began taking exams and heading home for the holidays. However, there was still plenty going on with Middlesex University Dubai in December, including the official launch of MDX LENS, a beach clean-up and an international law event.

Across the year 1,300 students undertook volunteering at more than 300 events on and off campus. More than 1,000 students participated in events and societies, and 35 gold medals were won by athletes and sports teams.
Looking ahead, the university has set ambitious goals for 2025, with the collective efforts of its students, faculty, and staff making it all possible. Could you be a part of it? 

Places are still available for the January 2025 intake, apply now.