Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has effectively placed over 90 master's and PhD students into prominent public, private, and multinational organizations both in the UAE and globally through its career services and internship program.
As the world’s first graduate artificial intelligence (AI) university dedicated to research, MBZUAI aims to place high importance on practical experience with compulsory internships for students studying AI disciplines, including computer science, computer vision (CV), machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and robotics. The university aims to prepare students following an AI career path with hands-on experience to help fulfil global demand from companies looking to tap into the next generation of AI expertise in an expanding tech-driven job market.
With the assistance of the MBZUAI career services and internships team, MBZUAI students are securing international summer placements in countries such as Canada, China, Russia, and Pakistan. They are also gaining experience at prestigious academic institutions, including the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan, Johns Hopkins University in the US, Microsoft Research Lab – Asia in China, and the University of Luxembourg. Recognized by CSRankings as one of the top 100 computer science universities globally, MBZUAI is ranked among the top 20 for its expertise in AI, computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics.
Prof Timothy Baldwin, Provost at MBZUAI, said: "The jump in interest in AI as a tool to drive productivity and innovation has created unprecedented dialogue and collaboration between business and academia and intense competition for talent. These are exciting times to be a leading academic player in the AI sector. MBZUAI continues to grow its programme offerings and student, alumni, and faculty populations. Supported by our strong links to industry, the practical experience our graduates gain, and the time spent working on industry-specific research means they will hit the ground running and have a measurable impact on the development of AI-driven solutions. They leave us equipped to shoulder the responsibility that comes with the stewardship of something as powerful and transformative as AI".
Reflecting the UAE's status as a global AI hub, 31 national companies and government entities are participating in the 2024 internship program. Major UAE employers include ADNOC, Etihad Airways, Core42, e&, Dubai Police, and Dubai Airports. MBZUAI students are also gaining experience at leading data companies and startups in the UAE, such as LibrAI, Invertible AI, LABIB AI, Exafy, VisionLabs, and Mindware. The AI ecosystem has seen a significant number of the university's 212 alumni choose to remain in the UAE to make a substantial impact and address the world's most urgent challenges.
MBZUAI’s career services and internships team has crafted a highly personalized service designed to link students with opportunities while assisting them in developing, assessing, and executing their career plans. The team offers comprehensive support to ensure students are well-coached, prepared, and interview-ready. Industry partners can engage with students and alumni through a variety of channels, including events, information sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
