History of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD)

History of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Founded in May 2006, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) was born from a shared vision between the United Arab Emirates and Sorbonne Université in Paris: to bring the excellence of French higher education to the Middle East and to build a lasting bridge between cultures, knowledge, and societies.

Established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, SUAD is the result of a pioneering partnership between the Government of Abu Dhabi and Sorbonne Université in Paris, fully aligned with the Emirate’s ambition to become a global hub for education, research, and culture.

In collaboration with Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité, SUAD delivers specialised undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, and lifelong learning programmes, meeting the highest international academic standards.

Today, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi continues to grow as a place of academic excellence, cultural dialogue, and international exchange, contributing to Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision for education, research, and innovation.

2006

Establishment of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and welcoming 100 students across six bachelor’s programmes and one Foundation Programme in Intensive French

2011

Official inauguration of the new campus with over 93,000m2 of teaching, recreational and accommodation facilities, featuring the largest university indoor climbing wall in the UAE, the largest Francophone library in the GCC library, a 700-seat auditorium, and several on-campus restaurants

2018

Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi was officially renamed Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, in line with the rebranding of its parent institution, Sorbonne University, in Paris.

Introduction of the Mohamed Bin Zayed (MBZ) full scholarship.

2019

Creation of the Continuing and Executive Education Department (CEED), offering specialised professional and executive programmes, and the Career Centre, a division providing a comprehensive suite of career development services

2020

Transition from a purely academic institution to a research-focused institution, primarly with the launch of Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), a unified research and teaching centre in Paris and Abu Dhabi. The University also extended its scientific academic offer with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a focus on data science for AI

2023

Launch of the first large-scale cultural programme, with over 200 events organized annually starting from this year.

The University introduced sustainability across its academic and institutional initiatives and launched the Ocean Institute during the COP28 as well as the "Go Green" Initiative.

2024

Development of the four-year strategic plan, RÊVES (Research, Education, Visibility, Excellence, Sustainability), the five pillars of this initative, the first in the history of SUAD, and launch of SAFIR, Sorbonne Abu Dhabi for Innovation and Research Institute.

This year was designated the Year of Sustainability and Year of Francophonie.

2025

Structuring and deployment of a dedicated International Relations Office at SUAD, enabling the conclusion of 20 exchange partnerships and the university’s integration into the Erasmus+ programme. This year also marked the establishment of the first European Union Jean Monnet Chair in the Gulf region at SUAD and was designated as the Year of the Ocean.

In 2025, 223 students graduated from SUAD.

2026

SUAD welcomed 1,800 students and counted 3,500 alumni.

The University earned first place in the Environmental Research Institute category of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Award and joined the NICAS Network as an accredited Bouldering and Ascend Centre.

SUAD expanded its academic offer, introducing new bachelor's and master's programmes, including a Master's in Arts and Heritage, and integrating quantum studies into the physics curriculum, and strengthened postdoctoral research with 16 PhD students. The University also introduced the Ruwwad Zayed program, offering a merit-based scholarship for exceptional Emirati and Arab students pursuing a master’s degree.

SUAD marked its 20th anniversary and designated 2026 as the Year of AI.

History