Students across the UAE have a new opportunity to gain practical work experience this summer through the Summer Programme 2026. The initiative brings together more than 15 government and semi government organisations, offering internships and training across eight career pathways for high school students, university students and recent graduates.
As competition for university places and graduate jobs continues to grow, employers increasingly value practical experience alongside academic achievement. For parents, educators and school leaders, the programme provides students with valuable exposure to real workplaces while helping them explore future careers before entering full time employment.
Summer Programme 2026 Offers Internships Across Leading UAE Organisations
The Summer Programme 2026 includes opportunities with organisations such as the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Expo City Dubai, Dubai Airports, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, DP World, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Chambers and the Emirates Group.
Additionally, students can apply for placements with the Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Knowledge Fund Establishment, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department and several other public sector organisations.
The programme offers flexible placements ranging from one month to six months, depending on the participating organisation and internship. Selected programmes also provide monthly stipends of up to AED15,000.
| Company / Organisation | Role / Internship | Eligibility | Duration | Focus Areas | Contact Email |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) | General Internship | Emirati university students | 1-2 months (July-August or based on university availability) | Finance & Accounting, IT, General Administration, Marketing & Media, Quality Assurance | Le********************@******ov.ae |
| Islamic Affairs & Charitable Activities Department | Training Programme | Emiratis only, aged 18-30 | 3-6 months | AI, Programming, Accounting, Islamic & Sharia Studies | aa*******@*******ov.ae |
| Expo City Dubai | Digital Accessibility | Emirati undergraduate students & graduates | 3-6 months, 5 days/week | Digital Accessibility, Sustainability, Documents, Websites | ta*************@***********ai.ae |
| Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre | Engineering Internship | UAE Nationals, undergraduate students | Monday-Thursday 8 hrs, Friday 4.5 hrs | Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering | mo***********@***il.com |
| Dubai Airports | Airport Operations Internship | Emiratis, undergraduate students & graduates | Based on university requirements | Airport Operations, Aviation Services | Mu****************@***********ts.ae |
| Knowledge Fund Establishment | Business & Administration Internship | Emirati & Non-Emirati undergraduate students | 4 days/week, 4-5 hrs/day | Financial & Administrative Affairs, Planning, Project Support | ma********@****ov.ae |
| General Secretariat of the Judicial Council, Dubai | Judicial Administration Programme | Emirati school & university students | 1 week, 5 days | Judicial Administration | q.********@************ov.ae |
| Maktoum Holy Quran Memorization Centers | Administrative Internship | High school students | 5 days, 5 hrs/day | Administration, Programme Coordination | m.*********@*******ov.ae |
| Expo City Dubai | Accounts Payable | Emirati undergraduate students & graduates | 5 days/week | Finance, Accounts Payable, ERP | ta*************@***********ai.ae |
| Expo City Dubai | Internal Audit | Emirati bachelor’s graduates (Accounting/Audit) | 5 days/week | Internal Audit, Risk, Compliance | ta*************@***********ai.ae |
| Dubai Culture & Arts Authority | Marketing & Communications Internship | UAE Nationals & Residents | 4 days/week, 5 hrs/day | Marketing, Public Libraries, Content, Media | su*************@**********re.ae |
| Expo City Dubai | Creative & Media | Emirati undergraduate students & graduates | 5 days/week | Social Media, Photography, Video, Graphic Design | ta*************@***********ai.ae |
| Dubai Foundation for Women and Children | HR Internship | Emiratis, undergraduate students | 5 days/week, 7:30am-1:00pm | HR Administration | th*************@***ac.ae |
| Expo City Dubai | Compliance | Emirati undergraduate students & graduates | 5 days/week | Compliance, Regulatory Research, Audit Coordination | ta*************@***********ai.ae |
| Expo City Dubai | Research & Analytics | Emirati undergraduate students & graduates | 5 days/week | Research, Data Analysis, AI Tools, Programme Coordination | ta*************@***********ai.ae |
| DP World | Trade & Industry Internship | Emirati students (Family Book), GPA 3.0+ | 4 weeks (6-31 July 2026) | Trade & Industry Rotations | Yo************@*****ld.com |
| Dubai Municipality | Professional Internship | Undergraduate (Years 3-4), Master’s, PhD, Recent Graduates | 1 July-15 August 2026, 8 hrs/day | Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, AI, GIS, Sustainability | dm********@****ov.ae |
| Dubai Health Authority | Summer Training | Emirati university students aged 18-20 | 4 weeks | Healthcare-related Departments | fs***********@*****ov.ae |
| Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation | Tailored Internship | Emirati university graduates | As required | Various Professional Fields | Ra***********@**fc.ae |
| Dubai Chambers | Summer Training | Emirati university students | Monday-Friday, 8:00am-2:00pm | Business Functions | fa***********@**********er.com |
| Emirates Group | Business Internship | UAE Nationals & Residents, High School & Undergraduate Students | Based on school/university schedule | Business Functions | Mo************@******es.com |
| Umm Al Sheef Cultural & Islamic Center | Ghiras Summer Programme | Female Emirati university students | 8 days (6-16 July), 10:00am-1:00pm | Workshop Supervision | mb*******@*******ov.ae |
| Al Mizhar Cultural & Islamic Center | Summer & Winter Camp Support | Female Emirati school & university students | 5 hrs/day | Skills Workshops, Camp Coordination | na****@*******ov.ae |
| Islamic Affairs Quran Programme | Quran Programme | UAE Nationals & Resident Students (7-18 years) | 20 July-6 August, 3.5 hrs/day | Quran Memorisation, Islamic Studies | se****@*******ov.ae |
| Expo City Dubai | Events | Emirati undergraduate students & graduates | 5 days/week | Events, Operations, Programming, Production | ta*************@***********ai.ae |
| Expo City Dubai | Sustainability | Students in Sustainability, Education & Sciences | September 2026-June 2027 | Community Programmes, Sustainability Engagement | ta*************@***********ai.ae |
| Expo City Dubai | Built Environment & Design | Emirati undergraduate students & graduates | 5 days/week | Architecture, Urban Planning, Inclusive Design, Graphic Design | ta*************@***********ai.ae |
Career Pathways Cover Technology, Engineering and Business
Students can choose from eight specialist career tracks designed to match different interests and study pathways.
These include Artificial Intelligence and Digital, Engineering and Aviation, Business and Administration, Finance and Accounting, Marketing and Communications, Human Resources and Compliance, Research and Analytics, and a wider category featuring opportunities across multiple industries.
Meanwhile, placements include areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, airport operations, accounting, social media, digital accessibility, engineering, compliance, research, architecture and urban planning.
Students Gain Valuable Workplace Experience
Rather than focusing only on classroom learning, many internships allow students to work alongside experienced professionals on real projects.
For example, Expo City Dubai offers placements in creative media, finance, digital accessibility, sustainability, research and event management. Interns can contribute to campaign planning, data analysis, stakeholder reporting, digital content creation and community programmes.
Similarly, KHDA internships introduce university students to functions including finance, information technology, marketing, quality assurance, procurement and customer service.
Engineering students can also gain practical experience with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre or Dubai Airports, while business students have opportunities with organisations including the Knowledge Fund Establishment and Dubai Chambers.
Why Internships Matter for Students and Parents
Work experience has become an important part of university and career preparation.
Students who complete internships often develop communication, teamwork, problem solving and professional skills that cannot be fully taught in the classroom. Furthermore, early workplace exposure helps young people make informed decisions about university courses and future careers.
For parents, internships offer reassurance that students are building confidence while exploring sectors that align with their interests. Meanwhile, educators and school leaders can encourage students to apply classroom learning in professional environments and strengthen their university applications.
Who Can Apply
Eligibility varies by organisation.
Some internships are open exclusively to Emirati students, while others welcome UAE nationals, residents, university students, high school students or recent graduates depending on the placement. Programme lengths also vary, with some lasting one week and others extending up to six months.
Interested students should review the individual eligibility requirements and application details for each participating organisation before applying.
For more information please visit
Further Reading
- ‘Growing in Unity’, What the Year of the Family Means for Education in the UAE
- Arabian Center Summer Offers Families Creative Activities, Cocomelon Fun and Dubai Summer Surprises