Middlesex University Dubai launches London Sport Institute to power regional sports growth
New hub connects elite performance, applied science and student pathways
DUBAI – Middlesex University Dubai has launched the London Sport Institute in Dubai (LSID), bringing one of the UK’s most established sport, exercise and health science institutions to the UAE as the region’s sports sector records sustained and high-value growth.
The new institute is designed to strengthen professional training, applied research and academic pathways in sport across the country. University leaders say the move aligns closely with long-term national ambitions for sport performance, participation and wellbeing.
The launch positions LSID as a regional hub for sport science education and industry collaboration, connecting academic study with professional practice. It also expands the British university’s footprint in specialist sport education at a time when the UAE continues to invest heavily in events, facilities and athlete development programmes.
Launch event
The institute was officially unveiled at a high-profile ceremony held at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa on Friday, 6 February. The event drew senior figures from sport, science, business and innovation, alongside professional athletes and coaches from multiple disciplines.
A featured panel discussion focused on leadership, experience and the next generation of sport leadership. Participants included former Premier League football manager Harry Redknapp, former Wales and British and Irish Lions rugby international scrumhalf Mike Phillips, Paralympic swimmer Jessica Smith OAM, professional MMA fighter Tarek Suleiman and elite Emirati sprinter Maryam Alfarsi. The speakers shared insights on athlete development, high-performance culture and the evolving demands placed on sport professionals.
A keynote address was delivered by professional basketball player and mentor Jazz Ferguson, who spoke about career progression, resilience and mentoring in competitive sport environments.
Market growth
University officials linked the launch to the scale and pace of expansion across the Middle East sports economy. The regional sports industry is currently valued at approximately $600 billion, with annual growth approaching nine per cent, supported by government investment, major infrastructure projects and a rising global events profile.
LSID builds on the academic and research reputation of Middlesex University’s London Sport Institute in the UK. The Dubai-based institute is intended to support both professional and community sport by combining degree programmes, applied research and industry engagement with local and international partners.
Professor Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Middlesex University Dubai, said the initiative reflects the UAE’s commitment to sport at both elite and grassroots levels.
He said the institute aims to produce graduates capable of contributing across the sector, from high-performance sport to community participation and health-focused initiatives.
Academic programmes
LSID will offer sport-focused academic programmes from foundation to postgraduate level. These include the International Foundation Programme with a Sport Science pathway, a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science, and postgraduate degrees in Sport Performance Analysis and Strength and Conditioning.
Students will have access to specialist facilities, including a performance laboratory designed to support testing, analysis and practical training. Teaching will be delivered by academic staff with industry experience across sport science and performance environments.
Practical learning forms a central part of the programme structure. Courses include applied projects, structured placements and partnerships with sports organisations, schools and community initiatives across the UAE. The model is designed to connect classroom learning with real-world sport settings and professional workflows.
Research centre
Alongside LSID, the university also announced the launch of a dedicated Sports Research Centre focused on advancing sport performance and applied sport science research in the UAE. The centre will serve as a platform for collaborative projects, specialist studies and knowledge exchange.
According to the university, the centre will work with regional stakeholders to attract researchers, strengthen the local research ecosystem and host conferences and expert forums. It will also partner with major organisations to ensure that research findings are translated into practical outcomes for athletes, coaches and sport institutions.
Dr Paul Read, Head of the London Sport Institute in Dubai, described the centre as a significant step for sport science research in the country. He said the focus will remain on high-impact applied research that supports practitioners and organisations, while also creating clear progression routes for students into postgraduate study and research leadership roles.
Industry support
Sports figures attending the launch highlighted the importance of structured education behind athletic success. Harry Redknapp, who spent more than 30 years in football management and led Tottenham Hotspur to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time, pointed to the role of trained professionals working off the field.
He said the UAE’s sports growth has been notable and added that education institutions help develop coaches, analysts and performance specialists required for long-term progress.
Middlesex University Dubai
Middlesex University Dubai has been recognised for the fifth consecutive year as the largest UK university in Dubai in KHDA’s Private Higher Education Open Data Report 2024–2025. The institution hosts more than 7,000 students representing over 120 nationalities and maintains active links with professional and sporting industries across the region.
The university is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority. Opened in 2005 as the first overseas campus of Middlesex University London, it now operates across multiple Dubai hubs, including Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Media City, where a third permanent campus opened in 2026. Programmes span business, technology, psychology, law, media, fashion and sport-related disciplines across foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and MBA levels.