Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), TECOM Group’s Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, and the International Student Identity Card Association (ISIC) has launched the Dubai Student Card, an integrated solution designed to enhance the student experience by combining identification, public transport services and exclusive benefits in a single card.
Providing further details, Ahmed Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Corporate Technology Services Sector, said: “The Dubai Student Card brings together three essential functions: student identification for engaging educational institutions, nol public transport functionality, and internationally recognised student status through ISIC, providing access to a wide range of benefits and discounts in Dubai and around the world.”
Bahrozyan added: Developed in partnership with educational institutions across Dubai, the Dubai Student Card is designed to support students throughout their educational journey, offering benefits across four key areas:
• On campus: Student identification through engaging educational institutions.
• Around Dubai: Access to RTA public transport with student fare discounts of up to 50%.
• Every day: Access to student benefits, discounts and offers across the UAE.
• While travelling: More than 150,000 ISIC benefits across over 130 countries.
“The Dubai Student Card reflects RTA’s commitment to making public transport more accessible, convenient and attractive to students. By integrating nol functionality with student identification and a wide range of benefits in a single solution, we are making it easier for students to travel across Dubai, reach their campuses and explore the city. The initiative also supports our efforts to encourage the next generation to embrace public transport as an integral part of their everyday lifestyle, while contributing to a more connected and sustainable urban mobility ecosystem,” he continued.
The initiative is being rolled out in phases. Educational institutions interested in participating can submit their applications through: www.dubaistudentcard.ae
Advancing student mobility and enriching the student experience
“The launch of the Dubai Student Card reflects RTA’s commitment to developing integrated, accessible and student-focused mobility solutions that support Dubai’s education ecosystem. By combining public transport services with student identification and a broad range of benefits, the initiative aims to simplify everyday journeys, facilitate access to educational institutions and encourage students to make public transport an integral part of their daily lives.”
Supporting Dubai’s vision for a connected education ecosystem
“Developed in cooperation with KHDA, the initiative contributes to broader efforts to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for education and talent. By simplifying access to transport services and student benefits, the card aims to create a more seamless and enriching experience for students studying in the emirate,” Bahrozyan concluded.
Dr. Saeed Mubarak Kharbash, CEO of Policies, Research and Programmes at KHDA, said: “The Dubai Student Card puts the learner at the heart of the student experience, bringing together education, mobility, services and opportunities in a single student card. This aligns closely with the Education 33 Strategy and our ambition to create a future-ready education ecosystem where students can learn, explore and thrive in Dubai and beyond. By making every day experiences more seamless and expanding access to opportunities, the card supports a more connected and enriching student journey while strengthening Dubai’s position as a global destination for education and talent.”
Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Senior Vice President of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, part of TECOM Group, said: "The Dubai Student Card reflects our commitment to providing a world-class ecosystem that enables higher education institutions and empowers talent to thrive. By offering an integrated solution for identification, mobility, and exclusive benefits in Dubai and worldwide, the initiative is designed to enhance the educational journey for learners, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global centre for higher education and a leading destination for the world’s brightest minds."
Extending student benefits beyond Dubai
Through its partnership with ISIC, the Dubai Student Card provides students with internationally recognised proof of student status and access to a broad network of benefits and discounts covering travel, accommodation, dining, entertainment, shopping and education.
The integration of ISIC benefits enables students to enjoy opportunities both within the UAE and internationally, extending the value of their student identity beyond the campus and supporting a more rewarding educational and personal experience.
Matthew East, CEO of GTS ALIVE Group, International Student Identity Card Association, said: “Students today are connected to a world that extends far beyond their campus, and their student identity should reflect that. Through ISIC, the Dubai Student Card gives students a globally recognised proof of student identity, connecting them with access to benefits, experiences and opportunities in Dubai and around the world.”