{
  "id": 19177672,
  "title": "Dubai has urgent need to boost student accommodation, say experts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/dubai-has-urgent-need-to-boost-student-accommodation-say-experts-19177672",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T15:37:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/11/09/dubai-has-urgent-need-to-boost-student-accommodation-say-experts/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Experts are warning of a pressing need for Dubai to increase student housing options as the emirate aims to boost its international student population. Under the Dubai Education 33 strategy, the emirate plans to increase international students to 50% of private university enrolment by 2033, up from around 35% currently. As universities expand their international intakes and new campuses open, including two in 2026-27, the lack of quality, purpose-built student accommodation is hindering these goals.\n\nProf Gisela Loehlein, academic director at De Montfort University Dubai, notes that students desire a stronger sense of community, including shared flats and communal living options. However, students often face a dilemma between proximity to campus and affordability. Many choose the private rental market, which lacks consistency and reliable amenities. Osaja Jafri, a student at Heriot-Watt University, would live on campus if options were affordable and within a short distance.\n\nAmit Arora, COO of Arada Hospitality, identifies the main market gap as quality, mid-market accommodation. Most students end up in shared private apartments with informal subletting and variable costs. Furthermore, families, faculty, and corporate guests are also seeking accommodation in areas like Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, where provision is currently limited.\n\nDevelopers see student accommodation as an opportunity to cater to the growing international student population and diversify their portfolios. The UAE's higher education sector has expanded significantly, and there is a logical demand for professionally managed accommodation that incorporates community, security, amenities, technology, and study facilities.",
  "summary": "There is a growing demand for more and better student accommodation in Dubai , as the emirate works towards significantly increasing its international student body in line with government ambitions, experts have said. Dubai's Education 33 strategy sets a target of international students at 50 per cent of all private university enrolment by 2033, up about 15 per cent from today. As of the 2024-25…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}