Definition

Dubai Knowledge Park (DKP) is a purpose-built free zone managed by TECOM Group PJSC, dedicated to hosting companies and institutions operating in the education, training, human resource development, and professional certification sectors. Established in 2003, DKP provides a regulatory and physical environment designed specifically for organisations that develop human capital — including universities offering accredited degree programmes, corporate training providers, professional certification bodies, executive education centres, and HR consulting firms. As a TECOM-operated free zone, DKP offers 100 percent foreign ownership, zero corporate and personal income tax, full profit repatriation, and streamlined licensing under a single regulatory framework.

UAE Context

Dubai Knowledge Park occupies a strategic position within the Al Sufouh corridor alongside its sister free zones Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and Dubai Studio City — collectively forming one of the largest knowledge-economy clusters in the Middle East. The free zone hosts over 500 business partners including international university branch campuses, vocational training institutes, and global HR consulting firms. Notable academic tenants include the University of Wollongong in Dubai, University of Manchester regional centre, and multiple Indian and British university extension campuses. The DKP ecosystem bridges a critical gap between the UAE’s education sector and private industry by co-locating degree-granting institutions, executive education providers, and corporate training companies within a single zone. This clustering facilitates talent pipelines for Dubai’s broader economy, particularly in technology, media, finance, and hospitality sectors where specialised workforce skills are in highest demand.

Key Data

• Established: 2003
• Operator: TECOM Group PJSC
• Location: Al Sufouh, Dubai (adjacent to Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City)
• Business partners: Over 500 education, training, and HR companies
• University campuses: University of Wollongong Dubai, University of Manchester, Middlesex University Dubai, and others
• Ownership: 100 percent foreign ownership permitted
• Tax: Zero corporate and personal income tax within the free zone
• Licence types: Educational, training, service, and consulting licences

Significance for Vision 2031

Dubai Knowledge Park is a direct enabler of the human capital development targets embedded in Vision 2031 and the broader UAE Centennial 2071 plan. By concentrating education providers, corporate training companies, and HR advisory firms, DKP accelerates workforce upskilling in sectors prioritised for economic diversification — including artificial intelligence, fintech, digital marketing, and advanced manufacturing. The free zone’s international university campuses provide locally accessible higher education pathways that reduce brain drain and attract international students who may transition into the UAE workforce post-graduation. As the UAE targets knowledge-intensive industries and reduces dependence on hydrocarbon revenues, DKP’s role in producing skilled graduates and certified professionals becomes increasingly critical to national competitiveness and Emiratisation targets.

Related Terms

• EdTech — Technology platforms transforming education delivery in the UAE
• Emiratisation — Workforce nationalisation policy dependent on skilled graduates
• DMCC — Another major Dubai free zone focused on commodities and trade
• Free Zone — The regulatory model enabling DKP’s tax and ownership advantages