Healthcare
University of Birmingham Dubai Partners with Myntra to Pioneer AI-Powered Mental Health Solutions for Students
In a significant step towards enhancing student wellbeing through innovation, the University of Birmingham Dubai, located in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Myntra, a UAE-based startup providing AI-powered mental health solutions. The partnership, developed under the umbrella of in5, TECOM Group’s startup incubator, aims to advance AI-driven mental and physical health support tailored to university students' needs.
The MoU was signed by Professor Yusra Al Mazoughi, Provost of the University of Birmingham Dubai, and Dr. Adenike Dairo, Founder and CEO of Myntra, in the presence of senior academic and industry representatives, including Dr. Afsana Fahim, Associate Professor of Psychology, and Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of TECOM Group – overseeing DIAC, Dubai Knowledge Park, and Dubai Science Park.
This landmark agreement reflects the commitment of TECOM Group’s specialized business communities, especially in5, to foster collaboration between academia and startups to drive innovation in alignment with strategic government agendas such as the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, the Dubai Social Agenda 33, and the Dubai Research and Development Program.
“Our collaboration with Myntra allows us to leverage the latest advancements in artificial intelligence to address mental health challenges among students in culturally sensitive and impactful ways,” said Professor Yusra Al Mazoughi. “This partnership supports the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, reinforcing our role in shaping responsible, research-backed solutions that improve quality of life.”
The initiative is especially significant given the diverse population of over 33,500 students in Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park. The collaboration will not only focus on AI-based interventions but will also foster joint research, practical training, specialized lectures, and industry networking, further bridging the gap between academia and entrepreneurship.
“This partnership is a milestone for Myntra and a testament to how meaningful innovation can originate locally and scale globally,” said Dr. Adenike Dairo. “Working alongside a prestigious institution like the University of Birmingham Dubai enables us to elevate the role of AI in providing high-quality, accessible mental health support.”
Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi emphasized that such strategic partnerships are vital to achieving impactful innovation.
“We are proud to enable collaborations that bridge research, education, and entrepreneurship. Our role at TECOM Group is to create environments where these connections thrive, in support of Dubai’s long-term economic and social goals.”
As part of the agreement, Myntra and the University of Birmingham Dubai will co-develop initiatives that emphasize innovation, wellness, and academic excellence, positioning Dubai as a hub for AI-powered healthcare solutions within higher education.