Scotland and Dubai Unite to Inspire the Next Generation of Digital Health & Care Innovators

The Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation (DIDI), marking the beginning of a new international education collaboration to support the next generation of entrepreneurs. It will create new collaborative opportunities between Scotland and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and build on the strengths of our existing academic institutions. 

The partnership will enhance the global expansion of the #DigiInventors Challenge by connecting school pupils in Scotland and the UAE with DIDI students and staff, who will be entrepreneurial role models and bootcamp mentors for this inspirational and engaging programme. Through this collaboration, participants will gain exposure to international perspectives, design-led thinking, and real-world challenges as they develop their ideas for transforming health and care. 

The #DigiInventors Challenge is an existing national programme in Scotland that empowers young people to develop entrepreneurial, digital, design innovation, STEM, and meta skills while developing ideas to solve real-world health and social care challenges. 

By encouraging collaboration across education, design, digital health and care, the programme helps young people channel innovation as a positive force for change locally and internationally. The partnership between DHI and DIDI further strengthens this ambition by bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise. 

 The agreement reflects a shared commitment between DHI and DIDI to inspire future talent, improve the gender imbalance within digital and STEM subjects, and demonstrate how design and technology can work together to improve lives. 

Moira Mackenzie, Deputy CEO and Director of Innovation, Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre, said: 

“This exciting partnership furthers the global ambitions of the #DigiInventors Challenge. By connecting young people in Scotland and the UAE with design thinking and international expertise from Dubai, we are creating opportunities for inspiration, collaboration and learning that extend far beyond the classroom. Through DHI’s unique position in Scotland’s innovation landscape, we hope to act as a connector for DIDI to create new collaborative opportunities with relevant institutions and organisations across Scotland.” 

Mohammad Abdullah, President, Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation, said: 

At DIDI, we believe the most powerful design tool we have is the next generation. This partnership with DHI is a natural extension of our mission - to cultivate leaders who think beyond borders and use creativity as a force for real-world impact. By connecting our students with young innovators in Scotland, we are building bridges between cultures, disciplines, and ideas at exactly the moment the world needs it most. Health and care are fundamentally human challenges, and design thinking - rooted in empathy - is one of the most powerful ways we can address them together." 

At a time when global challenges are at the forefront of people’s minds, the partnership highlights the positive role of international collaboration in education and innovation. By working together, both organisations aim to create meaningful opportunities for young people while contributing to the future of the global digital health and care sector. 

The collaboration will initially focus on enhancing the #DigiInventors Challenge, with potential to explore further joint activity in education, innovation, and knowledge exchange in the future. 

The next #DigiInventors Challenge will launch in August 2026 – check the website (www.digiinventors.com) for the latest information.