Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai and Gyma Food Industries LLC “Bayara”, a subsidiary of Savola Foods Company, have entered into a new industry partnership aimed at creating stronger career pathways for students and graduates of the Manipal Institute of Health & Life Sciences (MIHLS).
The collaboration will provide students with access to internship opportunities during each academic year, available full-time career opportunities, and the chance to work on real business projects as part of their academic programmes.
The partnership comes at a significant time for the UAE food sector, with the UAE Food Cluster targeting the creation of 20,000 new jobs in food-related sectors by 2028. The sector also aims to increase its contribution to the country’s GDP from AED 30 billion to AED 40 billion, with advanced agri- and food processing identified as one of the strategic growth areas.
Speaking about the partnership, Dr. S. Sudhindra, Pro Vice Chancellor, MAHE Dubai, highlighted the importance of connecting students with employers while they are still studying.
He said the partnership gives Health & Life Sciences students a clearer understanding of how their academic learning can be applied within the food industry, while helping them build relationships with employers in a sector where new career opportunities are being created. He also noted that industry input into relevant course content will help ensure that learning remains aligned with the skills and capabilities employers require.
A key focus of the collaboration will be strengthening the connection between classroom learning and current industry practice.
Gyma Food Industries LLC “Bayara” will work with MIHLS faculty members to develop case studies and project work based on current industry practices and market challenges. Students will be able to engage with these as part of their academic courses, helping them gain exposure to real commercial contexts.
Senior management representatives from Bayara will also participate in guest lectures, workshops and industry sessions, bringing practical industry perspectives into relevant areas of the curriculum. The partnership will additionally support field visits to the company’s premises.
Dr. Arif Hussain, Dean, Manipal Institute of Health & Life Sciences, MAHE Dubai, said one of the most valuable aspects of the collaboration is the opportunity for industry to contribute directly to the learning experience.
He explained that Bayara’s involvement in relevant course content and academic projects will allow faculty to assess whether curricula are keeping pace with developments in the food industry, while giving students the opportunity to work on genuine business challenges rather than relying only on traditional case studies.
Beyond internships and academic collaboration, the agreement will also enable MAHE Dubai and Bayara to explore further opportunities in student development, employability, knowledge exchange and industry engagement as the partnership evolves.
The collaboration reflects MAHE Dubai’s continued focus on strengthening industry-academia engagement and creating opportunities for students to apply their learning in professional environments before graduation.
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