Dubai: Under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai (RIT Dubai) held the graduation ceremony for its 15th cohort.
The ceremony, hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre, saw 394 graduates receive degrees across 16 undergraduate and master’s programmes, marking a significant milestone for the university and Dubai’s evolving education landscape.
Senior officials, academic leaders, and members of the diplomatic community attended the event, including His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, His Excellency Essa Kazim, US Consul General Robert Raines, and RIT Dubai President Dr. Yousef Al Assaf.
‘A milestone in advancing future talent’
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed highlighted the importance of education in driving the UAE’s long-term vision.
“The graduation of a new cohort from Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai marks an important milestone in advancing talent capable of navigating future transformations and contributing meaningfully to the development of a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation and advanced technologies,” he said.
He added that advanced education remains central to Dubai’s global competitiveness.
“At DIEZ, we view advanced education as a key enabler of Dubai’s competitiveness and future readiness. We take pride in RIT Dubai’s growing role in preparing a generation capable of turning knowledge into tangible economic and social impact,” His Highness said.
“We are confident that these graduates will contribute to Dubai’s journey towards a new era of global leadership and excellence.”
Strengthening Dubai’s knowledge economy
His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, said the partnership with RIT Dubai reflects a broader strategy to build an integrated economic ecosystem.
“The graduation of this cohort reinforces DIEZ’s role, through Dubai Silicon Oasis, as a specialised hub for knowledge and innovation, and an incubator for education, technology, and entrepreneurship,” he said.
He added that the university plays a crucial role in equipping industries with highly skilled talent capable of leading digital transformation and enhancing productivity across key sectors.
Diverse programmes aligned with future sectors
The graduating class represented a wide range of disciplines aligned with future-focused industries.
Students completed nine bachelor’s degrees, including engineering fields, marketing, finance, cybersecurity, computing, and psychology, alongside seven master’s programmes in areas such as data analytics, smart cities, futures foresight, and engineering.
This year’s ceremony was particularly notable for the graduation of the first cohort of Psychology students, reflecting the university’s expansion into specialised academic fields.
'A platform for knowledge and innovation’
RIT Dubai President Dr. Yousef Al Assaf described the graduates as well-prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.
“Today, we celebrate an exceptional cohort of graduates from 16 academic programmes, reflecting the university’s continued growth and its ability to develop academic offerings that respond to the rapidly evolving labour market,” he said.
He added that the university remains committed to fostering innovation through new programmes and research initiatives.
“We remain committed to fostering an educational environment that encourages research, experimentation, and innovation, while reinforcing the university’s role as a platform for developing talent capable of serving Dubai, the UAE, and the wider region.”
Continued growth and new academic pathways
Since its establishment in 2010, RIT Dubai has graduated more than 2,490 students, highlighting its expanding contribution to the UAE’s higher education and talent development ecosystem.
The university continues to introduce new programmes, including undergraduate degrees in Management Information Systems and Advertising and Public Relations, as well as micro-master’s programmes in Health Informatics and Futures Foresight.
It has also launched a dual-degree engineering programme designed to allow students to complete both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a shorter timeframe.
Supporting Dubai’s future vision
RIT Dubai operates as a branch of the Rochester Institute of Technology, offering accredited American programmes within Dubai Silicon Oasis, a hub dedicated to knowledge and innovation.
Through its academic offerings and partnerships, the university continues to support Dubai’s vision of building a diversified, innovation-driven, and sustainable knowledge-based economy.