New program equips students with advanced hardware and software skills to meet demand for interdisciplinary talent
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai has announced the launch of a new Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Engineering, to prepare graduates for careers at the forefront of emerging technologies. The program has been developed to respond to the growing demand for engineers who can seamlessly integrate hardware and software to create intelligent, connected systems. Designed as an interdisciplinary program, the BS in Computer Engineering also supports focussed career pathways, with two specialization options in AI Systems or Secure Systems.
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the new program uniquely combines hardware engineering, software development, artificial intelligence, and embedded systems to equip students with the multidisciplinary expertise needed to design, build, and optimize the intelligent technologies driving the digital economy. The curriculum is based on RIT’s internationally recognized Computer Engineering program in the US, offering a flexible and comprehensive education that combines engineering fundamentals with broad general education, technical specializations, and experiential learning.
The curriculum has been developed in collaboration with industry to ensure graduates are equipped with the skills most sought by employers. The program delivers a strong foundation in mathematics, science, and engineering through courses including data structures, object-oriented programming, circuits and electronics, and software engineering, before progressing to advanced subjects such as computer architecture, digital systems design, hardware and software interfacing, computer networks, and digital signal processing.
Structured as four academic years with an additional integrated cooperative education year, hands-on experiential learning is a central feature of the program. Students will complete industry co-op placements following their second and third years of study, enabling them to apply classroom knowledge in professional environments while developing valuable workplace skills. Building on established partnerships with industry leaders such as Siemans, AWS, Nokia and Intel, students can explore placements in fields across automation, smart systems, cloud technology, telecoms and semiconductors. The program culminates in a multidisciplinary Senior Design Capstone, where students work alongside peers from across engineering disciplines to deliver innovative solutions for real-world challenges set by industry or academia.
As the UAE accelerates investment in artificial intelligence, smart systems and cybersecurity, the program directly supports the UAE’s ambitions to become a global leader in innovation and advanced technologies. By producing graduates with the technical knowledge, practical experience, and innovation mindset required by industry, the launch aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority’s vision to accelerate digital transformation and knowledge-based economic growth.
Commenting on the launch, Dr. Muhieddin Amer, Dean of the College of Engineering and Computing at RIT Dubai, said, “Computer engineering will have a pivotal role to play in creating the future technologies that will transform our world. Spanning hardware, software, AI, and secure systems, this new degree will equip students with the interdisciplinary skills to shape this transformation and to lead in developing the intelligent, secure, and connected systems of the future. Through our strong industry partnerships and experiential learning model, graduates will be ready to make an immediate impact in industry and contribute to the UAE’s vision for an innovation-driven digital economy.”
Students enrolled in the BS in Computer Engineering will study in the UAE while earning an American degree from RIT’s home campus in New York, with opportunities to explore global study experiences across RIT’s international campuses. Graduates of the program will be prepared for engineering roles across a broad range of industries including artificial intelligence, aerospace, networking, secure systems, semiconductor design, electronics, cloud computing, smart systems, government, and software development.
The Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering is now open to applications for entry in Fall 2026.
About RIT Dubai:
Established in 2008, RIT Dubai is a not-for-profit global campus of the esteemed Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, one of the world’s leading technological-focused universities with more than 185 years of history. RIT Dubai is now operating from phase one of its new $136 million state-of-the-art campus which provides interactive learning space set over 129,000 square meters.
RIT Dubai offers highly valued Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in business, psychology, media design, leadership, engineering, and computing. The curriculum provides students with relevant work experience through an innovative cooperative education program that helps students stand out in today’s highly competitive job market. RIT Dubai offers American degrees issued directly from the main campus in New York, and all of RIT’s programs are UAE Ministry accredited. Students of RIT Dubai also have the unique opportunity to choose to study abroad at the main campus in New York or at one of its other global campuses.
