MAHE Dubai’s expanded Freshmen Orientation programme, designed to help new students transition into university life through academic guidance, community engagement and campus experiences, has been featured by One Ville News.
Beginning on 14 September 2026, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Dubai Campus will welcome its newest cohort through an expanded five-day Week of Welcome, moving beyond traditional academic onboarding to create opportunities for students to connect, participate and discover university life from their very first week.
The first two days, 14 and 15 September, will focus on preparing freshmen for their academic journey. Students will be welcomed by the university leadership and introduced to MAHE’s legacy, academic environment and approach to innovation, leadership and lifelong learning.
An interactive session with the Deans of MAHE Dubai’s schools will give students insights into academics, industry opportunities, student development and the wider university experience. Freshmen will also learn about the support available throughout their studies, including wellbeing and counselling services, academic support, student services and campus safety.
Guided campus tours and alumni interactions will further help students familiarise themselves with the university and hear first-hand experiences of career journeys, industry exposure and life beyond graduation.
A key addition to this year’s programme is an introductory session on the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). The session will introduce students to opportunities to identify real-world challenges, develop ideas and build entrepreneurial skills during their time at MAHE Dubai.
Freshmen will also be introduced to the Student Creator of the Semester competition, a new initiative open to all MAHE Dubai students. The competition encourages students to create original digital content based on their own experiences and perspectives of student life, while developing skills relevant to the growing creator economy.
From 16 to 18 September, the focus will shift towards building connections and encouraging participation in campus life.
Through MAHE Dubai Club Connect, freshmen will have the opportunity to explore cultural, sporting, creative and academic clubs, meet students with shared interests and discover avenues for leadership and personal development.
Talent and cultural showcases, music and dance performances, games, icebreakers and other interactive activities will create informal spaces for students to connect with their peers, faculty members, university leadership and student representatives.
The Week of Welcome will also introduce freshmen to creative and recreational opportunities beyond academics, including music, art and other programmes offered in collaboration with external academies.
This year’s Week of Welcome is built around the theme “Break Boundaries. Belong. Begin.”, reflecting MAHE Dubai’s approach to helping students embrace new experiences, build meaningful relationships and begin their university journey with confidence.
“Break Boundaries” encourages students to explore opportunities beyond what is familiar. “Belong” represents the friendships, communities and support networks that make campus feel like home, while “Begin” celebrates the start of a new journey of academic learning, personal growth and discovery.
The emphasis on belonging and meaningful relationships also resonates with the UAE’s Year of Family 2026, as students transition from established support networks and begin building new communities within the university.
Speaking about the approach, Dr. S. Sudhindra, Pro Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Dubai, highlighted that the transition to university begins well before a student enters their first classroom.
He emphasised that the university’s role extends beyond helping freshmen understand academics and systems, and includes enabling them to discover their interests, access support and find meaningful ways to contribute to the MAHE Dubai community.
By the conclusion of the Week of Welcome on 18 September, freshmen will have had the opportunity to understand their academic environment, meet the people and teams supporting their university journey, explore campus communities and begin shaping an experience that extends well beyond the classroom.