Plekhanov University charts MENA expansion with launch of new campus at Dubai’s leading education hub

Dubai, UAE, October 2024: Plekhanov Russian University of Economics inaugurated its campus at Dubai Knowledge Park, the regional hub for lifelong learning as part of its expansion programme in the rapidly developing Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market.    

The inauguration ceremony at Dubai Knowledge Park, one of TECOM Group PJSC’s 10 vibrant business districts in the city, was attended by Sheikha Maryam bint Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Omniyat Center for People of Determination in Dubai; Timur Zabirov, Ambassador at the Russian Embassy in the UAE; Oleg Famine, the Consul General of the Russian Federation in the UAE; and AlMehdar Ahmed, Head of Higher Education Classification & Rating Framework, Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).  

Also in attendance were Odes Baysultanov, First Deputy Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation; Andrey Terekhin, Sales Representative at the Trade Representative Office of the Russian Federation in the UAE; Ahmed Al Zarooni, Vice President at the Investment Corporation of Dubai; Ivan Lobanov, Rector of Plekhanov Russian University of Economics; Ammar Al Malik, Executive Vice President of Commercial at TECOM Group; Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City; and Grigory Velikikh, Associate Director of The Roscongress Foundation.  

The launch of Plekhanov University in Dubai demonstrates the city’s attractiveness to international students as a preferred destination for higher education. The university, among the top 150 universities for economics and econometrics according to the QS World Rankings for 2023, plans to actively engage with leaders in the regional educational landscape from its new address at Dubai Knowledge Park, contributing towards strengthening the UAE’s ties with its global partners.  

“With the inauguration of Plekhanov University in Dubai, we have achieved in less than a year what often takes other universities several years,” said Ivan Lobanov, Rector of Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our colleagues in the UAE for their warm reception and ongoing support throughout all project stages. Our strong faculty is a source of pride and includes specialists with rich international experience who are deeply committed to the comprehensive development of our students.”  

“The globalisation of education is vital for a prosperous future economy,” said Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City at TECOM Group. “At Dubai Knowledge Park, we are fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration to prepare learners of all ages for the global marketplace of today and tomorrow. We welcome partners like Plekhanov University that share our commitment to building a future-ready talent pool and uniting diverse perspectives to nurture innovation, aligning with Dubai Economic Agenda 'D33' and Dubai’s Education Strategy 2033.”  

Plekhanov University in Dubai will offer bachelor’s programmes in finance and marketing with a key focus on concepts such as corporate finance, sustainable development. Students will also have access to master’s degrees in corporate finance and digital business, with a concentration on future-focused topics such as growth strategies, digital transformation, and fintech innovation. Students will receive a diploma each from the UAE and Russia upon graduation.  

Svetlana Malkarova, Director of Plekhanov University in Dubai, said: “The university will be a unique institution that also features research centres in neuroeconomics, mathematics, cyber sciences, Islamic banking, and demographic studies, with official academic accreditation from the UAE Ministry of Education as well as licensing from Dubai’s KHDA.”  

The inauguration ceremony was followed by a working session to explore international workforce development formats in the future data-led economy.  

Dubai Knowledge Park marked its 20th anniversary with the launch of the World’s Largest Rubik’s Cube in December 2023 and has nurtured the regional knowledge economy by enabling lifelong learning since 2003. Alongside Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Knowledge Park makes up TECOM Group’s Education Cluster, which is home to more than 33,500 students representing 170 nationalities.

Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City are part of TECOM Group’s portfolio of 10 sector-specific districts, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Science Park, Dubai Design District (d3), and Dubai Industrial City.