While ‘DIDI’ makes most of us think of Algerian artist Khaled’s popular song from the ’90s, it is actually an acronym for Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, a project launched under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The AED 270 million project, in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Parsons, will help develop design talent in the country.

UAE needs 30,000 designers

Dubai projects are based on comprehensive studies that identify future challenges & address them. Our region needs 30,000 designers by 2019

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— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) October 24, 2016

DIDI has been launched to support the development of creative talent

The 100,000sq ft institute will be located in d3 and will offer Bachelor of Design degree with cross concentrations in product design, media, visual art, fashion design and strategic design management.

Under the directives of @HHShkMohd, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation was launched today, the first of its kind in the region pic.twitter.com/x62YAI24OM

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) October 24, 2016

The first intake of students is planned for Fall 2018

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