Nad Zabeel: Dubai’s vision for knowledge and innovation takes architectural form

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum witnesses the launch of a transformative research campus that will anchor Dubai's ambitions in artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced technology within a single, purpose-built ecosystem.

The announcement of Nad Zabeel, a research, development and innovation campus situated within Zabeel Park, represents a deliberate consolidation of Dubai’s intellectual infrastructure. Witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the project emerges as a logical evolution of the city’s decade-long commitment to institutionalising future-focused thinking, transforming what began as discrete initiatives into an integrated institutional framework.

Launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, the campus will serve as a central node within Dubai’s broader ecosystem of foresight and innovation. The location itself speaks to intention: positioned within one kilometre of Burj Khalifa, Dubai International Financial Centre, the Museum of the Future, Emirates Towers and Dubai Frame, Nad Zabeel will occupy a space of considerable symbolic and practical significance, drawing together the city’s established centres of commerce, culture and forward thinking.

The physical campus will house laboratories, scientific research centres and creative innovation incubators, accommodating leading scientists, researchers, engineers and innovators from across the UAE, the region and globally. More than 30,000 scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs are anticipated to participate in its programmes and events annually. The infrastructure will provide dedicated space for entities developing future legislation, alongside promising start-ups and investment companies, creating what amounts to a deliberate convergence of research rigour, entrepreneurial energy and policy development.

Architecturally, the name Nad Zabeel draws from the Emirati word ‘nad,’ meaning elevated ground, reflecting both the campus’s distinctive character and Dubai’s ambition to reach new heights in research and knowledge creation. Construction and associated operations are scheduled for completion within five years under the supervision of Dubai Future Foundation.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed described the project as the latest phase of an extended institutional journey. ‘Shaping the future in Dubai is not a slogan or a temporary project, but an integrated institutional system established by Mohammed bin Rashid that we continue to develop and build upon,’ he said. The campus will specialise in research across artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced technology, urban technologies, and health and environmental technologies—sectors identified as vital to human progress and economic opportunity.

The launch aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which comprises 100 transformative projects designed to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 whilst consolidating the city’s position among the world’s top three for business. By attracting specialised investment and talent, accelerating technology company growth and establishing direct connections between scientific research, commercial development and legislative innovation, Nad Zabeel will strengthen Dubai’s competitive position in emerging high value sectors.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, characterised the campus as a translation of His Highness’s vision into tangible institutional capacity. ‘Nad Zabeel translates the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum into action by establishing research and development as a key driver of progress and economic opportunity,’ he said. The campus will provide a global institutional platform that strengthens Dubai’s position as a destination for scientific talent and knowledge investment.

The project builds upon Dubai’s ecosystem of institutions and initiatives spanning foresight, research, development, innovation and future skills, a structure that has been progressively institutionalised since 2016. This ecosystem encompasses Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Future Accelerators, the Museum of the Future, Dubai Future Labs and Dubai Future Academy, alongside economic districts and specialised centres serving vital sectors. Nad Zabeel adds dedicated research infrastructure designed to accelerate the development and practical application of new solutions, bringing researchers, universities, technology companies, investors and government entities into a single collaborative environment.

Source: WAM

What it means for Abu Dhabi

Though Nad Zabeel is situated in Dubai, its significance extends across the emirates. The campus reinforces the UAE’s regional positioning as a centre for knowledge creation and advanced technology development, attracting global scientific talent and investment that benefits the broader ecosystem. As part of the Dubai Research, Development and Innovation Ecosystem established in December 2025, the campus provides a framework that integrates research efforts with economic, social and development priorities, supporting government and private sector entities across the UAE in developing high-impact ideas based on emerging technologies.

The institutional approach to innovation and future thinking demonstrated through this project contributes to the UAE’s broader economic diversification strategy. By creating dedicated infrastructure for research across artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced technology, urban technologies, and health and environmental technologies, the campus establishes platforms for solving challenges and creating opportunities relevant to both Dubai and the wider emirate system. The anticipated participation of more than 30,000 scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs annually suggests the scale at which knowledge exchange and innovation development will operate across the region.