Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) was established in 2006 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The university was founded through a partnership between Sorbonne Université in Paris and the Government of Abu Dhabi, under the administrative oversight of the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK).

It represents a historic collaboration to bring world-class French higher education to the Middle East, offering specialized undergraduate and postgraduate programs in arts, humanities, sciences, law, management, and economics.

The university's degrees are issued by Sorbonne Université and Université Paris Cité and follow the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), ensuring global recognition.

In December 2009, SUAD moved into its purpose-built permanent campus on Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi, featuring over 93,000 square meters of facilities including classrooms, a library, a 700-seat auditorium, a sports center, and student accommodations.

The university maintains a selective admissions policy to ensure a rigorous academic experience with small class sizes allowing individualized attention. It attracts a highly diverse student body from the UAE and over 90 different nationalities. SUAD's academic offerings are delivered in French and English, with an intensive French language program available for students needing language preparation.

The university emphasizes research aligned with Abu Dhabi’s Vision 2030, supporting national priorities such as sustainability and innovation through its leading research institute SAFIR.

As a transnational higher education institution, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi combines 760 years of academic excellence from its Paris heritage with a modern campus and academic community in the UAE.

It plays a significant cultural and educational role in Abu Dhabi, contributing to the emirate's ambition to become a global hub for science, education, and culture. The university is governed jointly by the Abu Dhabi Education Council and a board of trustees with members appointed by Sorbonne University and the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.