When research shapes the world of tomorrow at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Research plays a decisive role: it informs societal choices, drives innovation, and helps address major contemporary challenges. Universities are central to this process, forming highly qualified graduates while fostering the emergence of new ideas and technologies. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is a striking example of this mission. 

Research is not an expense; it is an investment. According to a study conducted by the British firm BiGGAR Economics for Udice in 2021, every euro invested in research universities generates four euros for the national economy, while each direct job creates three additional ones. 

Beyond the figures, the impact is societal. These institutions educate high-level graduates, boost competitiveness, attract companies and talent, and bring forward innovation and scientific discovery. At a time when knowledge flows without borders, research has become one of the clearest indicators of academic excellence. It no longer belongs solely to laboratories or libraries: it guides public policy, shapes societal choices, and fuels innovation. 

The key role of universities 

In this context, universities—wherever they are located—are called upon to play a leading role, combining scientific rigour, openness, and impact. Artificial intelligence, climate, health, urban planning, culture: campuses have become true open-air laboratories. Investing in research means strengthening a country’s standing on the international stage. For students, it means access to training that is connected to innovation and open to a borderless future. 

SUAD: French excellence at the heart of the Emirates 

Founded in 2006 following an agreement between Sorbonne University in Paris and the Government of Abu Dhabi, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) is the only overseas campus of a French university. For nearly twenty years, it has sought to place research and innovation at the core of its international academic project. 

With its 93,000 m² of laboratories, auditoriums, sports and cultural spaces, and the largest French-language library in the Gulf, SUAD offers students a French degree recognised worldwide in a multicultural and forward-looking environment. 

SAFIR: an institute at the crossroads of knowledge 

At the heart of this ambition lies SAFIR – the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi Institute for Innovation and Research – designed as a hub of excellence and impact. The institute brings together seven centres focused on strategic themes: artificial intelligence and digital policy, heritage and materials science, environment and sustainable development, societies, cultures and global arts, applied mathematics and data science, humanities, languages and education, and health and care. 

Here, research is not confined to theory. It is rooted in the real world, with tangible projects such as the restoration of coral reefs in the Gulf, the study of Portuguese heritage, and the integration of artificial intelligence into the public sector. 

SAFIR is part of an ecosystem that supports start-ups and spin-offs, fosters collaboration with industry, and encourages the dissemination of knowledge. It also reflects the international scope of SUAD, working with French laboratories as well as local economic and institutional partners. Together, they help make Abu Dhabi a hub where researchers, students, and professionals can co-design practical solutions. 

Open and shared research 

Beyond specific projects and international partnerships, SUAD is committed to open science—one of the strategic pillars of its 2024–2028 Plan. This approach is transforming how research is conducted, shared, and applied in society, promoting transparency, collaboration, and accessibility. Research outcomes are made available through open platforms such as HAL, helping knowledge spread locally and globally. 

This policy aligns with major international open science initiatives such as UNESCO’s Recommendation, Plan S, and Science Europe’s guidelines, while remaining faithful to Sorbonne University’s values and principles. 

The main objectives of SUAD’s open science strategy are: 

• Accessibility: free access to publications, thesis, and research data.
• Collaboration and partnerships: supporting interdisciplinary and inter-institutional projects, and facilitating the sharing of resources and expertise.
• Transparency and reproducibility: sharing methodologies, protocols, and analytical codes to enhance scientific reliability.
• Cultural change and institutional support: providing training, workshops, and incentives for researchers to embrace a culture of open and responsible research. 

This approach reflects the goal of making research genuinely useful to society and shaping tomorrow’s solutions. 

Research serving students and careers 

Studying at SUAD is about much more than obtaining a degree accredited in France and the UAE. It means immersing oneself in a vibrant research culture, where internships, collaborations with companies, and participation in interdisciplinary projects complement classroom learning. 

Over 3,000 alumni illustrate the impact of this model, putting their skills to work in professional and social projects. 

Quentin Broussan, an economics and management graduate, explains: “My time at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi gave me a strong academic foundation and rare cultural openness. It made the difference in securing an internship abroad.” 

The same is true for Theodora Mylen, an international relations graduate: “I had the opportunity to work for two months as an intern at the United Nations in New York. An unforgettable experience that would not have been possible without SUAD.” 

An exceptional living environment 

Located on Reem Island, SUAD combines academic excellence with outstanding quality of life. Abu Dhabi offers turquoise beaches, world-class museums such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim, as well as ideal international connectivity. 

Modern student residences, personalised support, and merit-based scholarships of up to 75% make the experience both accessible and enriching. 

Sorbonne Abu Dhabi represents the meeting of French academic tradition with the dynamism of the Middle East. A university rooted locally yet open to the world, where research, innovation, and culture come together to prepare tomorrow’s leaders. Here, a degree becomes a passport to contributing to the world’s great transformations.