Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Abu Dhabi University (ADU), and French digital arts school Rubika have signed an agreement to introduce a Bachelor of Arts in Video Game Design, the first dual-certified programme of its kind in the region.
The three-way partnership aims to expand the emirate’s gaming and interactive media talent pool. The course will begin in the upcoming academic year and be delivered at ADU’s campus, with curriculum development and faculty training led by Rubika. The programme will meet national accreditation standards and offer international exchange opportunities.
DCT Abu Dhabi will provide up to 140 scholarships over six years and facilitate internships, mentorship, and industry connections through its Abu Dhabi Gaming initiative. The department said the move is part of a wider strategy to build skills in creative sectors as the emirate seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil.
Rubika, which operates campuses in France, Canada, and India, will contribute to academic oversight and global best practices. Its CEO, Stéphane André, said the partnership marks the institution’s formal entry into the UAE, a region it sees as aligned with its focus on culture-led creative education.
The initiative adds to Abu Dhabi’s broader investment in the gaming sector following the launch of the AD Gaming platform in 2021 and efforts to attract global studios such as Ubisoft. It also follows a wider push across the Gulf to invest in digital content creation as part of national diversification plans.
