In an effort to champion sustainability and foster innovative growth, Canadian University Dubai (CUD) has unveiled a groundbreaking program: the Master of Science in Design Innovation for Circular Economy (MSc DICE). This pioneering initiative is the first of its kind in the UAE, a region striving to transition to a more sustainable and resource-efficient economy. The MSc DICE not only aligns with the UAE Circular Economy Policy 2021-2031 but also supports the Centennial 2071 strategy, which envisions a future where economic growth is decoupled from resource depletion. By emphasizing innovation, clean production, and digital transformation, CUD aims to equip the next generation of leaders with the necessary skills to navigate this evolving landscape.
The pressing environmental and social challenges faced globally necessitate a shift in thinking, and the MSc DICE embraces this challenge. The program encourages graduates to rethink conventional approaches to products, services, buildings, urban systems, and public policies through a regenerative and circular lens. Students will delve into core aspects of the circular economy, including sustainable manufacturing, green infrastructure, transportation, and food systems. This broad exploration is designed to empower participants to become key players—not just in theoretical discussions but in the practical implementation of sustainable solutions.
What sets the MSc DICE apart from traditional programs is its focus on restorative and regenerative design. The curriculum promotes critical thinking around material cycles, adaptive reuse, modular systems, and sustainable urbanism. It aspires to inspire climate-responsive, socially integrated design strategies that go beyond conventional sustainability. By reimagining urban environments, the program aims to restore ecological balances, promote biodiversity, and enhance the overall well-being of communities.
Students enrolled in the MSc DICE will have a hands-on learning experience through engagement with real-world case studies and collaborations with industry mentors. This is not merely an academic exercise; it prepares students to take on roles that shape policy, ignite start-ups, and implement viable sustainable strategies. The program will also expose students to challenges posed by both public and private sectors, encouraging innovative problem-solving approaches to pressing issues such as waste valorization, urban mobility, and infrastructure resilience.
A noteworthy aspect of the MSc DICE is its integration of emerging digital technologies, which are positioned as fundamental enablers of circularity. Students will learn how to harness artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and other advanced tools to devise infrastructures that minimize waste while fostering innovative circular practices. Such a forward-thinking approach is crucial as the UAE continues to prioritize professional development in sustainable practices and green technologies. Graduates of this program will find themselves well-equipped to make meaningful contributions across various sectors, including design, urban development, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Massimo Imparato, the dean of the School of Architecture and Interior Design, emphasizes the program’s ambition: “The Master of Science in Design Innovation for Circular Economy aspires to nurture a generation of circular thinkers who will reshape the built environment, from policies to materials, from neighborhoods to megastructures.” His vision underscores the program’s potential legacy—cultivating buildings that give back to the environment and creating cities that flourish within planetary limits. Graduates will not only contribute to systemic change but will also enhance the UAE’s leadership role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and beyond.
For more information about this pioneering program, you can explore the details [here](https://www.cud.ac.ae/programs/masters/architecture/master-of-science-in-design-innovation-for-circular-economy?utm_source=Organic_channel&utm_medium=PR&utm_campaign=MScDICE_Fall25). To discover more about the university and its offerings, visit [www.cud.ac.ae](http://www.cud.ac.ae/).
