LSID Set to Transform UAE’s Sports Education Landscape

Middlesex University has officially launched the London Sport Institute in Dubai (LSID), a landmark development designed to strengthen the United Arab Emirates’ rapidly expanding sports sector by bringing one of the world’s foremost sport, exercise and health science institutes to the region. The unveiling took place at a high-profile event hosted at the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, drawing senior leaders from professional sport, science, business and innovation as part of a broader push to align education, research and industry with the UAE’s sport development ambitions.

The launch of LSID is significant for the evolution of sport education, research and professional training in the UAE at a time when the regional sports industry is experiencing unprecedented growth. Valued at approximately US$600 billion and expanding at close to nine per cent annually, the Middle East sports economy is propelled by sustained government investment, major infrastructure development and an increasing global presence in hosting elite competitions and sporting events.

In his keynote address, Professor Cedwyn Fernandes, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Director of Middlesex University Dubai, emphasised the institute’s role in supporting the UAE’s commitment to elite performance, widespread participation and community wellbeing. “Our ambition is to develop graduates who can make a meaningful impact across the sports sector, from high-performance environments to grassroots and community sport,” Fernandes said, signalling a clear intent to produce industry-ready talent capable of meeting the diverse needs of the UAE’s burgeoning sports ecosystem.

The institute will deliver specialised programmes spanning foundation to postgraduate levels, including Sport Science pathways, a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science and advanced degrees in Sport Performance Analysis and Strength and Conditioning. Students will benefit from access to dedicated facilities, such as a performance lab, and will engage with applied projects and structured placements with sport organisations, schools and community initiatives across the UAE, ensuring practical experience is embedded within the curriculum.

A key component of LSID’s establishment is the launch of a dedicated Sports Research Centre. Headed by Dr Paul Read, the centre will advance applied sport science research and collaborate with regional stakeholders to strengthen the UAE’s research ecosystem. Dr Read highlighted the centre’s potential to produce high-impact research that directly supports athletes, practitioners and organisations while creating clear pathways for students to progress into postgraduate research and leadership positions.

The launch event also featured a panel discussion with distinguished sports figures, including former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp and elite Emirati sprinter Maryam Alfarsi, offering insights into leadership and the evolving demands of the global sports sector. Redknapp underscored the importance of specialised education in sustaining the UAE’s sports growth, noting that developing skilled coaches, analysts and practitioners is essential to long-term success.

With its international pedigree, industry-aligned curriculum and focus on research-driven innovation, the London Sport Institute in Dubai is positioned as a key contributor to the UAE’s strategic sporting vision, shaping the next generation of sport professionals and researchers who will support the nation’s ambitions on both local and global stages.