Launch of the 2nd India-Arab Universities Presidents Conference at Ajman University
The 2nd India-Arab Universities Presidents Conference, a landmark gathering of academic leaders from India and Arab nations, commenced on February 11, 2026, at Ajman University in the United Arab Emirates. Hosted under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Ajman Executive Council, this summit marks the first time the event is held in the Arab region. Bringing together presidents and chancellors from prestigious universities, the conference focuses on forging stronger ties in higher education amid growing bilateral relations between India and the Arab world.
Ajman University, ranked sixth in the UAE according to QS World University Rankings 2025 and first in the country for Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, serves as the ideal venue. Its commitment to international collaboration positions it at the forefront of UAE's higher education landscape.
Theme: Impact Beyond Borders – Research, Innovation, and Mobility
Centered on the theme "Impact Beyond Borders: Research, Innovation & Mobility," the two-day summit addresses critical areas for higher education collaboration. Discussions aim to translate academic dialogues into tangible outcomes, such as joint research initiatives, technology transfer, and seamless student exchanges. This theme resonates deeply in the UAE, where higher education institutions are pivotal to the nation's Vision 2031 for knowledge-based economic diversification.
The conference builds momentum from recent India-UAE agreements, including a January 2026 pact that streamlines student visas, recognizes academic credits, and promotes joint degree programs. With over 3.5 million Indian expatriates in the UAE – many in education sectors – such partnerships enhance cultural and academic exchanges.
Background: Evolution from the First Edition in New Delhi
The inaugural India-Arab Universities Presidents Conference took place in New Delhi on February 5-6, 2025, inaugurated by Kirti Vardhan Singh, India's Minister of State for External Affairs. Featuring four thematic sessions on higher education and skill development, AI and emerging technologies, research collaborations, and student/faculty mobility, it laid the groundwork for sustained partnerships.
Organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), University Grants Commission (UGC), and Association of Indian Universities (AIU), alongside the Association of Arab Universities (AARU) and League of Arab States, the event highlighted India's 1,338 universities serving 155 million students and the Arab world's robust higher ed ecosystem. Outcomes included strategic collaboration agreements and plans for recurring summits, culminating in this Ajman edition.
This continuity aligns with the Executive Program of the India-Arab Cooperation Forum (2026-2028), which endorses ongoing university presidents meetings to boost scholarships, language programs, and exchanges.
Distinguished Speakers and Inaugural Addresses
Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, led the inauguration, emphasizing the summit's role in bridging India and Arab academia. Keynote speaker Dr. Dipak C. Jain, President (European) of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) and former dean of INSEAD and Northwestern Kellogg, delivered insights on global academic leadership.
Other notables include Dr. Ashwin Fernandes, Executive Director for AMESA at QS Quacquarelli Symonds, and Prof. Anas Ratib Alsoud from AARU. Indian Ambassador to UAE Deepak Mittal addressed the gathering, advocating for deeper collaborations in research and mobility, underscoring the event's diplomatic weight.
- Dr. Dipak C. Jain: Global business education perspectives
- Dr. Ashwin Fernandes: Ranking and internationalization strategies
- Ambassador Deepak Mittal: Bilateral ties enhancement
- Dr. Karim Seghir: Host's vision for innovation hubs
Deep Dive into Research Collaborations
Research emerged as a cornerstone, with panels exploring joint projects in AI, healthcare, and sustainable energy – areas where UAE universities excel. Ajman University's top UAE ranking in SDG partnerships exemplifies its readiness for such ventures. India's Union Budget 2026 allocated INR 55,727 crore to higher education, including research clusters, creating synergies for Arab-Indian teams.
Statistics reveal potential: UAE hosts 10 Indian offshore campuses like BITS Pilani Dubai, fostering 5,000+ joint research outputs annually. Conferences like this accelerate co-authored papers, which rose 25% in India-UAE ties since 2023.Ajman University leads with MoUs like its 2022 pact with Alliance University India.
Stakeholders stress step-by-step processes: initial faculty exchanges, followed by grant applications to UAE's Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund and India's National Research Foundation.
Innovation Driving UAE's Higher Education Agenda
Innovation sessions highlighted UAE's tech ecosystem, with Ajman University pioneering AI-integrated curricula. The UAE's MoHESR-Microsoft AI agents partnership complements India's AI research push, enabling cross-border hackathons and incubators.
Real-world case: UAE's G42-India collaborations in genomics, now expanding via university networks. Benefits include:
- Access to UAE's $100 billion higher ed infrastructure boom by 2035
- India's 1.55 million STEM graduates fueling joint startups
- Reduced R&D costs through shared labs
Academic Mobility: Bridging Students Across Borders
Mobility dominated discussions, building on India-UAE's January 2026 agreement for mutual credit recognition and visa ease. Over 300,000 Indian students study abroad annually, with UAE emerging as a hub via affordable, quality programs.
Challenges like visa delays addressed through bilateral scholarships; UAE's 2026 intake targets 20% international growth. Examples:
- AIU-UGC exchange programs sending 500 Arab students to India yearly
- Ajman University's dual degrees with Indian IITs
- Cultural immersion via Arabic-Hindi language modules
For UAE colleges, this means diverse campuses enhancing global rankings.
Ajman University: A Pillar of UAE Higher Education
Ajman University, with 46 programs across nine colleges including the new College of Medicine, embodies UAE's higher ed excellence. Ranked 19th Arab region and #2 for international outlook in THE Arab Rankings 2026, it prioritizes employability – 95% graduate placement.
Hosting this summit reinforces UAE's role as a higher ed gateway, attracting university jobs in UAE and faculty from India. Explore faculty positions or career advice for global opportunities.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Challenges
Arab leaders like AARU's Prof. Alsoud praise India's scale; Indian delegates note UAE's infrastructure edge. Challenges include aligning curricula and funding disparities, solutions via twinning programs.
UAE's 500+ accredited institutions benefit from Arab League networks, with conferences catalyzing 10+ new MoUs expected here.
Future Outlook: Sustainable Partnerships Ahead
Post-conference, anticipate joint research centers and mobility pacts. UAE's Vision 2031 aligns with India's NEP 2020 for global hubs. Track developments via higher education news.
As UAE universities like Ajman lead internationalization, professionals can leverage Rate My Professor, higher ed jobs, and career advice. University jobs in UAE are booming – post your profile today.
MEA on first conference
