No Poverty

SDG 1: No Poverty

At Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD), financial aid is pivotal in ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds can access and benefit from its esteemed educational programmes. The university offers a range of financial support options, including merit-based and need-based scholarships, as well as grants and student loans. SUAD’s scholarships aim to recognise and support exceptional talent and academic achievement, while its grants are designed to assist those facing financial challenges. By offering these forms of financial assistance, the SUAD aims to reduce the financial barriers to education, helping students focus on their studies and contribute to the university’s rich academic community.

Cooperation Agreement to Support Education in Africa

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 developmental 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.

Agreements and Partnerships to Support and Fund Research at SUAD

The university has been supporting research and innovation through publications in peer reviewed journals in the fields of humanities, social sciences and science and developing partnerships with major industry players to develop further research and development in the country.

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi signed a tripartite agreement with Thales and Tawazun Technology & Innovation to develop comprehensive research in the field of Artificial Intelligence. The collaboration aims to advance research and innovation in the areas of defence, technology, and innovation, culminating in the establishment of the Sorbonne Centre for Artificial Intelligence.

To further enhance these efforts, the department of Innovation and Research Partnerships was established in early 2023 and additional partnerships are under development.

At the heart of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s strategic plan lies its commitment to the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship, recognising these elements as essential drivers of societal progress and sustainable economic growth.

The university actively cultivates an environment where creativity and entrepreneurial spirit thrive, providing students with the support, resources, mentorship and networking opportunities necessary to bring their ideas to life and develop start-ups. One of the key initiatives in this effort is the annual Student Business Day, which provides a vibrant platform for students to showcase and promote their business ideas on campus while fostering connections with fellow entrepreneurs.

By encouraging and empowering students to explore their entrepreneurial potential and transform innovative concepts into viable businesses, SUAD is shaping the next generation of successful entrepreneurs. Moreover, the student’s Entrepreneurs Club is a dynamic student-led organisation that supports and nurtures entrepreneurial talent within the university. Its primary role is to provide a collaborative environment where aspiring entrepreneurs can develop their business ideas, gain valuable insights, and connect with like-minded peers. The club organises workshops, mentorship sessions, and networking events, helping members enhance their entrepreneurial skills, navigate challenges, and access resources and industry contacts. Through these activities, the Entrepreneurs Club plays a key role in fostering innovation, leadership, and practical business acumen among students.

Furthermore, the Student Events and Culture section invites student entrepreneurs to participate in all student events on campus throughout the academic year to enable them to promote their businesses on campus and inspire new students to engage in the many research and enterprise initiatives organised.