Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai

The Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai (RIT Dubai) is a satellite campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology based in New York, USA. Established in 2008, it is located in the Dubai Silicon Oasis, United Arab Emirates.

The campus was founded to provide high-quality higher education in technology and related fields to students and professionals from the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. Initially, RIT Dubai began with part-time graduate courses in fall 2008 and soon expanded to a full-time graduate program by 2009.

The first class of graduates from RIT Dubai completed their studies in 2010, with the graduation ceremony held in Rochester, New York. That same year, the campus launched its full-time undergraduate program as part of its growth plan.

RIT Dubai is a not-for-profit global branch of RIT and is the third international campus after those in Croatia and Kosovo. The establishment of this campus was the result of collaborative efforts involving RIT's leadership and the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, aiming to cultivate a skilled workforce in technology and innovation within the region. Mustafa A.G. Abushagur was the founding president and played a key role in setting up the campus.

In 2013, Dr. Youssef Al Assaf succeeded him as president after Abushagur left to pursue political leadership in Libya. The campus has grown steadily, moving in 2011 to larger premises to accommodate its rising student body and planning further expansion to serve up to 4,000 students by increasing its facilities to one million square feet.

Academically, RIT Dubai offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs across engineering, business, computing, data science, cybersecurity, and design disciplines. It follows the curriculum and rigor of its parent institution, delivering an American-style education with a balance of theoretical and practical learning.

The university emphasizes research, innovation, and entrepreneurship to prepare students for evolving global markets. RIT Dubai’s partnerships and accreditation align with international standards, ensuring its graduates are competitive worldwide.

The campus also includes modern facilities designed to support a collaborative and innovative academic environment. In recent years, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority has supported the development of a new campus projected for completion by 2023 to further enhance RIT Dubai's academic and research capabilities. This expansion reflects RIT Dubai's commitment to maintaining its status as a leading technology-focused institution in the UAE and the broader region.