More than 900 Grade 11 and 12 students registered for the university’s free summer camp, while 25 MAHE Dubai students gained academic and research exposure in Malaysia and Singapore.

For students, learning does not always have to happen inside a classroom. This summer, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai Campus combined international academic experiences with hands-on university programmes to give both current and prospective students a broader view of higher education.

The university’s summer initiatives included a four-week immersion programme at INTI International University in Malaysia, participation in the National University of Singapore Young Fellowship Programme 2026 and its own Summer Camp for Grade 11 and 12 students.

Taking Learning Overseas

A group of 23 MAHE Dubai students travelled to Malaysia for the four-week Summer Immersion Programme at INTI International University, accompanied by faculty mentor Dr. Subburaj Alagarsamy.

The programme combined academic workshops, industry sessions, site visits, cultural experiences and peer learning. Students explored subjects including business, communication, sustainability, digital entrepreneurship, strategic management, cultural diversity and global collaboration.

Working alongside students in Malaysia gave participants the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a different academic and cultural environment while developing communication, teamwork and intercultural skills.

Two additional MAHE Dubai students took part in the National University of Singapore Young Fellowship Programme 2026, gaining exposure to a research-focused university environment.

The fellowship included lectures, workshops, research seminars, laboratory visits and collaborative activities covering areas such as artificial intelligence, graduate research, emerging technologies and interdisciplinary innovation.

The experience was designed to give students an early understanding of research environments and the academic and professional pathways that can follow.

Helping School Students Explore What’s Next

While the international programmes focused on MAHE Dubai’s current students, the university’s Summer Camp 2026 was aimed at students preparing for their own higher education decisions.

More than 900 Grade 11 and 12 students registered for the free programme, which gave participants the chance to experience university-style learning before choosing their future academic pathways.

The camp featured practical workshops and faculty-led sessions across Engineering and IT; Business, Commerce and Management; Health and Life Sciences; Design and Architecture; and Media and Liberal Arts.

Rather than simply presenting students with course information, the programme allowed them to participate in hands-on activities and interact directly with university faculty. The approach gave students an opportunity to explore subjects they may be considering and gain a better understanding of what studying those disciplines at university could involve.

“Learning becomes more meaningful when students are able to experience different academic environments, apply their knowledge in practical settings and engage with perspectives beyond their immediate classroom,” says Dr. S. Sudhindra, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE Dubai.

“Through international immersion, research exposure and early university engagement, we aim to help learners build confidence, curiosity and a broader understanding of the opportunities available to them.”

The initiatives also reflect the growing emphasis on experiential and outcome-focused education, with universities increasingly looking beyond traditional classroom learning to demonstrate how students develop practical, intercultural and research capabilities.

For MAHE Dubai, the three programmes represent different stages of the student journey, from giving current university students international exposure to helping prospective students explore academic options before making their higher education choices.

Based in Dubai International Academic City, MAHE Dubai is home to more than 3,100 students representing over 50 nationalities and offers more than 50 programmes across fields including engineering, IT, business, design, architecture, life sciences, public health, biotechnology, media and psychology.