Dubai Institute Of Design And Innovation Launched In The UAE The UAE on Monday announced plans to set up Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and The New School's Parsons School of Design (Parsons).

By Sindhu Hariharan

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Dubai Media Office
A representation of DIDI

Dubai is gearing up to welcome a world-class design educational institute. The UAE on Monday announced plans to set up Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI) in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and The New School's Parsons School of Design. Established by Dubai Holding and Dubai Creative Clusters Authority, under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, DIDI will be located at Dubai Design District (d3), and will welcome its first intake of students in 2018. According to a statement from MIT, the faculty from MIT's School of Architecture and Planning will support the creation of the curriculum and launch of the new undergraduate design educational institution.

In a statement, Dr. Amina Al Rustamani, Chairperson, DDFC, and CEO of TECOM Group, said, "We constantly work to empower youth to take ownership of the journey towards a sustainable economy and a future led by innovation. DIDI will be a strategically critical platform for providing youth with the tools they need to drive the UAE's future development." Strategic design management, product design, visual arts and media design, and fashion design are a few courses expected to part of DIDI's curriculum.

Video credit: Broadcast Exchange Vimeo.

MENA Design Education Outlook, a recent industry study undertaken by Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC) and d3, estimates that "at least 30,000 design graduates" are needed in MENA (a nine-fold increase) by 2019, to support the growth projected for the sector. Given that the absence of a competitive and modern educational framework has often been cited as a missing link in the ecosystem, DIDI may well be just what the region's design enthusiasts were looking for, and also attract creatives to the Emirate.

Related: Fashion Focus: Nurturing Entrepreneurship In The MENA Region's Style Sector

Sindhu Hariharan

Former Features Editor, Entrepreneur Middle East

Sindhu Hariharan is the Features Editor at Entrepreneur Middle East.  She is a financial consultant turned business journalist with a FOMO when it comes to everything technology.

Side Hustle

This Gen Zer's Stylish Side Hustle Earns About $20,000 a Month and Paid Off His Parents' $200,000 Debt: 'I Enjoy the Hands-Off Nature'

Ray Cao went from working as a barista for $8 an hour to being a successful seller on online marketplace StockX.

Finance

"We Got Funded!" Tunisia-Born Clusterlab Secures US$600,000 In A Pre-Seed Funding Round With The Aim To Advance Arabic Artificial Intelligence Tech

ClusterLab is on a mission to revolutionize how Arabic content is created and consumed by leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to ensure it is more accessible and engaging for users worldwide.

Starting a Business

The Creative Concepts Of Emirati Serial Entrepreneur Anas Bukhash

Having launched businesses like Bukhash Brothers, Buka, and Chalk, Emirati serial entrepreneur Anas Bukhash is definitely clued in to the charms of being one's own boss.

Money & Finance

Give Your Customers Payment Options

When someone is past due, being flexible is the best way to get what you're owed.

Leadership

22 Qualities That Make a Great Leader

Want to inspire others? Study these characteristics and the wise words of leaders who strive to embody them.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.