reduced inequalities

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is home to a diverse student body, representing more than 90 nationalities and contributing to a vibrant, multicultural environment. This diversity enriches academic discourse, encourages collaboration, and prepares students to thrive in a globalised world. The university actively promotes cross-cultural understanding through a range of initiatives and events, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued, and enhancing the overall educational experience. 

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi's Annual International Day celebrates the diverse cultures within its student body. Students showcase their national traditions through authentic cuisine, traditional dances, and colourful costumes. This vibrant event fosters community and promotes cross-cultural understanding, reinforcing the university's commitment to internationalism and inclusion. 

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi upholds a strong non-discrimination policy in both its Human Resources and admissions processes, reflecting its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The university ensures that all hiring practices are fair and equitable, providing equal opportunities to candidates regardless of their gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or any other characteristic. Similarly, the admissions policy promotes inclusivity by evaluating applicants based on their academic merit and potential, without bias or discrimination. This commitment not only fosters a diverse and vibrant academic community but also enhances the overall educational experience, ensuring that all students feel welcomed and valued. Through these policies, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi creates an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to the university’s mission. 

Through its Technical Assistance Programme (UAETAP), the United Arab Emirates works to implement programmes to support developing countries by facilitating technical cooperation activities that draw upon the lessons learnt from the UAE’s development experience. UAETAP provides its services in cooperation with competent UAE government and business institutions. In addition, the UAE works in close collaboration with donor countries and international partners to provide technical cooperation programmes for beneficiary countries. 

Since 2018, approximately 1,694 students from 70 countries, including 650 female students, have been registered in scholarship programmes in the UAE’s higher education institutions. Among those were 725 male and female African students in different Emirati universities. 

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) signed a cooperation agreement with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) to support the education sector in a number of African countries. 

Signing this agreement comes in line with the UAE’s efforts to strengthen and support the education sector in several African nations by providing 60 full scholarships to qualified students from French-speaking African countries to pursue their studies in undergraduate programmes at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. 

The university supports students from developing countries with a monthly salary which covers the expenses of their daily food and the laundry services for their personal belongings. 

As a disability-friendly institution, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi provides comprehensive support needed to its Students of Determination. The campus offers a range of bespoke facilities for students of determination which are regularly checked to ensure compliance with the UAE laws. 

In addition, the Student Success and Wellbeing Section at the Student Affairs Department provides extensive support to Students of Determination and engages with the Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination (ZHO) to ensure that student support meets best practice. The Sports Department is also equipped to allow adapted sports practice. This year, 55 Students of Determination were enrolled in all Bachelor programmes. 

The Student Success & Wellbeing (S&W) Section plays a vital role in coordinating with key stakeholders—such as Programme Heads, Heads of Schools, Coordinators, the Examination Officer, and the Registrar Department—to ensure that students with special needs receive appropriate accommodations during course-related examinations and assessments, whether during the semester or at the end. This includes support such as extra time for exams, transcriber assistance, academic mentoring, dedicated peer tutors, shadow assistants, and separate classrooms for continuous assessments and final exams. 

Additionally, the Student S&W Section provides comprehensive wellbeing support for students with special needs, including psychological evaluations, psychiatric assessments, intervention support from SUAD counsellors, and access to behavioural therapy services. 

These support services have been developed to identify and meet the needs of every special need student. SUAD’s ongoing commitment is to foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment by providing tailored support that addresses the unique educational needs of students with disabilities. 

 This is essential to ensure that all students have equitable access to the support and resources required for their academic and personal accomplishments. 

The Sports Department at SUAD, in partnership with Rab3i Association and POD People, is dedicated to using sports as a tool for social inclusion and personal growth. The university’s mission is to foster an inclusive community where individuals of determination can participate, connect, and thrive through sport. The university also opens its sports activities to the wider community, promoting engagement and fostering a culture of inclusivity. Initiatives include but are not limited to judo, climbing, and the newest programme, "Football for Inclusion," as well as broader efforts through the SCAP programme. 

The Student Success and Wellbeing section offers counselling services to provide guidance and support to students to help manage personal matters and to assist with developing the skills and confidence to function independently. 

The university provides high-quality counselling services to support students’ emotional, personal, social, behavioural, and general concerns. The services include individual and group counselling, crisis intervention, and emergency support to address personal challenges during student life at SUAD. 

The Counselling Office can help: 

    Manage relationships with family, teachers and peers 

    Manage areas of concern 

    Offer information and referrals to other support agencies 

    Provide support to enhance the students’ academic experience 


Counsellors offer support by liaising with other relevant parties on behalf of students, such as teachers, peers, or parents, when necessary. Throughout the process of consultation, students’ privacy is of the utmost importance and actions are taken only upon agreement with the student. 

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s Code of Conduct and Student Handbook are designed to foster an inclusive and respectful environment for all members of the university community. They emphasise the importance of diversity, equity, and mutual respect, outlining expectations for behaviour that supports a safe and welcoming atmosphere. By promoting values such as tolerance and understanding, these documents ensure that every student feels valued and empowered to contribute to campus life, reflecting the university’s commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.