Following the completion of their final showcase, students from the MSc Engineering Design and Innovation programme at the Engineering Design and Innovation Centre embarked on the 2025 UAE Overseas Expedition Programme, held from April 20 to 26. The week-long journey offered students a rare opportunity to engage with one of the world’s most ambitious and rapidly transforming innovation ecosystems.

In Dubai, students explored how culture, design, and emerging technologies intersect in a city shaped by bold visions. From the heritage-rich Al Shindagha Museum to the forward-thinking Dubai Design District (D3), they experienced both historical depth and a futuristic outlook. At the in5 Innovation Centres and the Mastercard Experience Centre, they encountered thriving innovation communities and real-world applications of design in technology and commerce. Visits to Dubai Silicon Oasis and Expo City Dubai revealed how strategic infrastructure planning and sustainable urban models are being actively implemented.

In Sharjah, the programme continued with visits to the American University of Sharjah and the Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park. These visits highlighted the region’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning and applied research.

In Abu Dhabi, the cohort visited leading institutions such as the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) and Zayed University, where they observed how education and research are being reshaped through AI and architectural innovation. They also visited the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, gaining insights into how cultural heritage plays a foundational role in the UAE’s vision of development.

“My overall impression of the UAE is that of a country with audacious ambitions but matched by meticulous executions. Innovation infrastructures are being developed at an astonishing pace.

The expedition has fundamentally expanded my understanding of innovation in the UAE, where unique ecosystems are being created. In projects like EXPO City, for example, a blueprint for sustainable urban planning is being integrated with the state-of-the-art infrastructures, or in Zayed University Abu Dhabi, strategic efforts in blending futuristic architecture with cultural heritage took place in designing the whole campus.

Visiting hubs like D3 provided insights into the power of curated ecosystems. These are not just business parks or a real-estate development; they are intentionally designed communities that physically bring together designers, startups, and technological corporations to foster collaboration and to accelerate growth.”

— Sole Song, Aug Class of 2024

This UAE expedition gave students a valuable opportunity to visit different cities and institutions, and to experience firsthand the global currents of design and technology. It was a meaningful journey where they gained new perspectives through diverse cultural and professional encounters, while also enjoying the experience of learning and exploring together.