The new Centre of Excellence, created with Fluid Codes, will provide engineering students with access to industry-standard simulation technology and research opportunities.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dubai has launched a new Centre of Excellence aimed at preparing engineering students for careers in advanced manufacturing, technology and research.

The university has partnered with Fluid Codes to establish the MAHE Dubai x Fluid Codes Centre of Excellence for Engineering Design & Simulation, bringing industry-standard engineering software and hands-on learning opportunities into the classroom.

The initiative will allow students to work with simulation tools used by engineers around the world to design, test and improve products before they are physically built. The software, developed by Ansys, is widely used across industries including aerospace, automotive, electronics, healthcare and energy.

Bridging the gap between study and industry

The new centre is designed to strengthen the connection between academic learning and real-world engineering practice.

Students will have opportunities to use advanced simulation software as part of their coursework, complete industry-focused capstone projects and participate in professional training and certification programmes. Faculty members will also be able to collaborate with industry partners on applied research projects.

The centre will support learning in areas such as computational fluid dynamics, structural engineering, electronics, electromagnetics, thermal systems and multiphysics modelling.

Preparing students for future careers

The launch comes as demand continues to grow for engineers with digital design and simulation skills.

The UAE’s industrial strategy, including the government’s Operation 300bn initiative, aims to expand the country’s manufacturing sector and strengthen research and development capabilities. At the same time, advances in digital engineering are changing how products are designed, tested and brought to market.

By giving students access to the same technologies used in professional engineering environments, MAHE Dubai hopes to improve graduate employability while helping students develop practical problem-solving skills before entering the workforce.

Industry collaboration at the heart of learning

Beyond classroom teaching, the Centre of Excellence will host workshops, technical events and certification programmes while encouraging collaboration between students, faculty and engineering companies in the UAE.

The facility will also support research projects and provide opportunities for students to work on industry challenges using advanced simulation technology.

As engineering increasingly adopts a “simulation-first” approach—where ideas are tested virtually before physical prototypes are created—initiatives such as this aim to ensure graduates leave university with skills that align closely with the needs of modern industry.