Liwa University

Liwa University began life as the Emirates Institute of Technology, established in Abu Dhabi in 1993 by the Emirati Ministry of Education, to offer degrees in computing, management and languages.

Thirty-two years and three name changes later, Liwa University was born, its latest name intended to align with international academic standards. This reincarnation coincided with the opening of a second campus in Al Ain and the launch of new academic programmes. 

Today, Liwa University offers 24 undergraduate degrees, spread across four colleges: business; media and public relations; medical and health sciences; and engineering and computing. 

In addition, a department of general education offers a wide range of introductory and short courses, covering subjects such as generative AI, critical thinking, Islamic culture, psychology, calculus and ethics. The aim of these courses is to provide LU students with an overview of the key historical, economic and political events that have shaped the United Arab Emirates. 

The university breaks down its use of space into numbers: of the 15,579m2 of the Abu Dhabi campus, 955m2 are library space and 639m2 indoor recreational areas for students – the latter complete with an oversized chessboard. There are 11 health-sciences labs, three radio and TV recording studios and two internationally branded cafés. The campus cafeteria has separate areas for men and women, as does the multifaith prayer room. 

It doesn’t offer university accommodation – instead, most students rent private apartments or shared accommodation in the areas surrounding either campus.

The university offers a broad range of student clubs and societies, grouped together under different headings. Under “Arts and creative expression”, for example, clubs include fashion club, creative writers’ club and music club, as well as TikTok creators’ club and YouTube creators’ club. Sporting clubs include the intriguingly named trips and adventure club. There is also a first-aid club, she-leads society, animal-rescue club and cars club. Students are encouraged to speak to the dean for student affairs if they want to set up their own club or society.