Skip to content
GCC AI Research

First-ever MBZUAI Summer School for high school students shows high demand and promising future AI practitioners

MBZUAI · Notable

Summary

MBZUAI held its first summer school for UAE high school students in collaboration with ADEK, focusing on AI and sustainability. The program received over 230 applications for 38 slots, indicating strong interest in AI among students. Participants engaged in workshops led by MBZUAI faculty and worked on AI projects addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals. Why it matters: This initiative nurtures local talent and promotes AI education, aligning with the UAE's focus on becoming a leader in AI.

Get the weekly digest

Top AI stories from the GCC region, every week.

Related

Inaugural undergraduate AI research internship attracts stellar students to MBZUAI’s Abu Dhabi campus

MBZUAI ·

MBZUAI hosted 34 undergraduate STEM students from around the world for its inaugural one-month Undergraduate Research Internship Program (UGRIP) in Abu Dhabi. The interns, hailing from countries including the UAE, USA, and India, engaged in ongoing MBZUAI research projects spanning sustainability, education, and healthcare. Interns worked on projects ranging from fake news detection using NLP to tumor diagnosis using computer vision. Why it matters: This program strengthens MBZUAI's position as a global AI research hub and cultivates AI talent within the region.

MBZUAI opens applications for NextGen Winter Program 2025

MBZUAI ·

MBZUAI has opened applications for its NextGen Winter Program, a two-week AI literacy program for UAE high school students (Grades 10-12) taking place December 8-19, 2025. The program includes interactive workshops, group challenges, and engagement with MBZUAI faculty, with registration closing on November 19, 2025. This winter edition follows a successful summer program that saw high interest from UAE youth in AI. Why it matters: The program contributes to building national AI capabilities by providing early AI exposure to UAE youth, in line with the UAE's vision for future-ready talent.

MBZUAI’s UGRIP draws record global interest with projects for real-world impact

MBZUAI ·

MBZUAI concluded its 2025 Undergraduate Research Internship Program (UGRIP), hosting 57 students from 24 countries. The four-week program, held in Abu Dhabi, allowed undergraduates to collaborate with faculty on AI research projects in machine learning, computer vision, and NLP. The 2025 edition had a 4% acceptance rate, with nearly 2,000 applications received. Why it matters: The program highlights MBZUAI's role in attracting global AI talent to the UAE and fostering research collaborations.

MBZUAI welcomes largest-ever cohort to its undergraduate artificial intelligence research internship

MBZUAI ·

MBZUAI welcomed 45 international STEM students to its month-long Undergraduate Research Internship Program (UGRIP), a 32% increase from its second year. The program exposes students to AI research and faculty, attracting applicants from universities like IIT Madras, Harvard, and Yale. Interns worked on AI projects including digital healthcare metaverse prototypes, baby cry analysis, and LLM generalizability. Why it matters: This program helps to foster AI talent and promote the UAE as a global hub for AI research.