Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Dr. Adam Fenech, Provost of the Canadian University Dubai (CUD) to discuss the institution’s vision, strategic initiatives, and its role in shaping the future of education. This interview delves into CUD’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and its alignment with the UAE’s strategic priorities, as well as its efforts in adapting to digital learning and supporting student well-being.

1. What is your vision for the university’s future, and how do you plan to achieve it in the next five years?

My vision for the future of the Canadian University Dubai is to establish it as a regional and global leader in innovation-driven, entrepreneurial education that aligns with both the UAE’s strategic priorities as well as Canada’s legacy of academic excellence. Over the next five years, I envision CUD as a hub where artificial intelligence, sustainability, and entrepreneurship converge to shape the next generation of change-makers – leaders who are not only industry-ready but also socially conscious and globally competent.

To achieve this vision, the University is undertaking strategic investments in many areas. First, CUD is establishing research centers in areas such as biomedical devices, and sustainable tourism, led by Canadian scientists recognized as being part of the top 2 percent in the world. Second, CUD is introducing new academic programs co-developed with UAE industry in emerging areas of academia such as artificial intelligence or machine learning. Third, CUD has heavily invested in the expansion of our commercial enterprise startup incubator by hiring a new Director and a new Manager to support student and faculty entrepreneurship. Fourth, CUD has embraced AI and emerging technologies across the University operations touching all academic disciplines, equipping our faculty and students with tools to address real-world challenges. And fifth, the University is establishing a Sustainability Centre to capitalize on the CUD expertise in Health & Well-being, Innovation & Economy, and Sustainable Environment.

By fostering a culture of sustainability, digital transformation, and innovation, CUD will not only respond to the future, it will help define it by becoming a catalyst for human potential and economic growth in Dubai and beyond.

2. How is the university adapting to the challenges of digital learning and integrating new technologies into education?

Canadian University Dubai is proactively transforming to meet the evolving demands of digital learning and technological integration by embracing Artificial Intelligence in all of the University’s operations, and building the new classroom for the 21st Century. It is probably one the first times in our history that we can honestly say that students learn differently. The student of today has been raised on screens in the era of social media using smartphones, tablets or computers, and their learning style has been affected – attention spans are decreased, cognitive ability is challenged, sensitivity to feedback is enhanced, need for engagement is high, and learning is visually-oriented. While they may struggle with conventional instruction, students of today are highly digitally fluent, and responsive to experiential, collaborative, and gamified learning environments. Educators must adapt strategies to enable these learners to thrive in both academic and real-world settings.

At the same time, the advancement of artificial intelligence tools has created incredible opportunities to enhance teaching, assessment, and student engagement. These tools are being embedded not only to modernize course delivery, but also to foster core competencies such as critical thinking, problem-solving, digital fluency, and lifelong learning.

To support this transformation, the university is expanding faculty development in AI-powered pedagogy, and investing in AI training for every student, every faculty and every staff at CUD. Through its growing incubator and interdisciplinary research platforms, CUD is empowering students to not only consume technology, but to co-create it—positioning them as entrepreneurs, innovators, and contributors to Dubai’s knowledge economy. This digital shift is more than a response to current challenges; it is a strategic leap toward a future where the Canadian University Dubai is recognized as a leader in next-generation learning across the region and globally.

3. What strategies are you implementing to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion across campus?

At Canadian University Dubai, diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just values, they are strategic imperatives rooted in both our institutional mission and Dubai’s commitment to building a globally competitive, inclusive society. Reflecting the UAE’s vision of tolerance and multiculturalism, Canada’s similar values, and guided by our own strategic plan, CUD is creating an environment where all individuals, regardless of nationality, gender, ability, or socioeconomic background, feel empowered to thrive. Our diverse student body, representing over 120 nationalities, is supported through inclusive academic programming, culturally responsive teaching, and equity-focused policies that ensure fair access to opportunities and resources.

4. What role do you see the university playing in addressing global issues like climate change or public health?

Canadian University Dubai is strategically positioned to play a transformative role in addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change and public health, through a purposeful alignment of our institutional mission with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By embedding sustainability, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship across its teaching, research, and community engagement platforms, the university is cultivating a generation of leaders equipped to solve complex, interconnected global problems.

The Canadian University Dubai is already playing a large role in public health as it is the Headquarters for the MENA Global Health Network, a collaborative network of researchers and research institutes recognizing the unique public health, education, policy and practice challenges faced by the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

I am bringing my own expertise in Climate Change to the Canadian University Dubai by establishing a Climate Research Lab as part of the establishment of a Sustainability Centre here at CUD. The CUD Sustainability Centre will engage faculty, students, and CUD key stakeholders in pursuing innovative approaches to sustainability through training, research, and outreach activities. The Sustainability Centre will function as a source for enhancing academic excellence across CUD by understanding sustainability at practice, volunteer work, and professional internships for students while also supporting curriculum development integrating sustainability in course syllabi for all faculties.

5. How are you fostering partnerships with industry to enhance job opportunities for students?

At Canadian University Dubai, fostering dynamic partnerships with industry is a cornerstone of our strategic vision to create meaningful, future-ready career pathways for students. Guided by our strategic plan, CUD is actively building bridges between academia and the private sector to ensure that our graduates are not only employable, but entrepreneurial and adaptable to the rapidly evolving global job market. Through the integration of artificial intelligence, sustainability, and entrepreneurship into academic programming, students are equipped with the skills and mindsets needed for the knowledge economy. Our partnerships span key industries, from tech and finance to healthcare and creative sectors, providing students with internships, mentorships, and experiential learning opportunities that translate classroom theory into practical impact.

6. What steps is the university taking to support student mental health and well-being?

Canadian University Dubai is deeply committed to fostering a campus culture that prioritizes student mental health and holistic well-being, in alignment with its strategic plan and Dubai’s broader vision for a thriving, resilient society. Recognizing that academic success is inextricably linked to emotional and psychological well-being, the university has implemented a comprehensive support framework that integrates counseling services, peer-to-peer networks, and wellness initiatives into the student experience. Our wellness strategy includes mindfulness sessions, physical fitness programs, and digital detox campaigns, all of which contribute to a supportive and inclusive environment. In doing so, the university not only supports individual well-being but also contributes to the UAE’s ambition to cultivate a healthy, productive, and future-ready population.

7. How do you plan to attract and retain top faculty in a competitive academic environment?

At Canadian University Dubai, attracting and retaining top-tier faculty is a strategic priority that directly supports our mission to deliver globally competitive, innovation-driven education. Guided by our strategic plan and aligned with Dubai’s ambition to be a global knowledge and innovation hub, CUD is creating a vibrant academic ecosystem where scholars are empowered to pursue excellence in teaching, research, and societal impact. Through robust research support, startup incubation opportunities, and collaborations with local and international industry partners, CUD ensures our academic community is both challenged and supported in ways that few environments can match.

In short, CUD has a beautiful campus with contemporary labs enabled for research; CUD has leading Canadian researchers ranked in the top 2 percent globally aligned with our University in areas of importance to the UAE including biomedical devices and sustainable tourism; and CUD has modern academic programs that support the development of graduate students that can feed academic excellence in research. Through this, CUD is well-positioned to attract and retain top academic faculty.

8. How is the university leveraging alumni networks to support current students and recent graduates?

Canadian University Dubai is strategically harnessing the power of its alumni network to build a robust support system for current students and recent graduates. By integrating artificial intelligence into alumni engagement platforms, we are mapping professional trajectories and areas of expertise to connect students with tailored mentorship, internship opportunities, and career guidance. Our alumni, many of whom are now thriving in sectors aligned with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33 including sustainability, entrepreneurship, technology, and creative industries, serve as living examples of the university’s impact and actively contribute to shaping future generations through guest lectures, advisory panels, and capstone project supervision.

9. If you could share one motivational quote on a highway billboard, what would it say?

The CUD President, Dr. Karim Chelli, wrote our University’s mantra – “Inspiring minds, transforming lives” – which guides the CUD’s efforts in education, partnership, and community engagement.