Manipal Institute of Liberal Arts (MILA), part of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai, has joined the Wacom Education Program, led by Wacom Europe GmbH across the EMEA region, to advance the integration of professional creative technology within higher education.
As part of this collaboration, MILA will introduce Wacom’s industry‑leading digital pen tablet and display solutions across its creative courses while working toward achieving Wacom Certified School and Wacom Experience School status — recognitions awarded to institutions that embed professional tools, industry‑standard software, and industry engagement into their academic programmes.
The initiative will significantly enhance the industry readiness of students enrolled in MILA’s BSc Animation and BA Media & Communication programmes. These programmes are designed to equip learners with the skills required to pursue careers in fast‑growing entertainment and multimedia sectors. With access to Wacom’s advanced creative technologies, students will strengthen their capabilities in storyboarding, character design, graphic design, matte painting, and other essential creative disciplines.
Dr. Sudhindra Shamanna, Pro Vice Chancellor – MAHE Dubai, said, “Creative industries today are shaped by digital workflows — from animation and game design to product design and digital illustration. Our partnership with Wacom allows students to engage directly with the tools professionals use across these sectors. By embedding these technologies into the learning environment, we are ensuring that creative education evolves alongside the industries it serves.”
Dubai’s creative economy continues to expand as part of the emirate’s diversification strategy. According to the Dubai Creative Economy Impact Report, the sector generated AED 21.96 billion in economic value in 2022 and supports more than 175,000 jobs. Demand for digitally skilled designers, artists, and creative technologists is expected to rise further as the region accelerates investment in media, gaming, and digital content production.
Heidi Wang, Managing Director, Wacom Europe GmbH, added, “The creative industries in the UAE are evolving at pace, and the talent coming through institutions like MAHE Dubai will shape what that sector looks like in the years ahead. Across the world, Wacom technology sits at the centre of how designers, illustrators and digital artists create. Collaborating with institutions like MAHE Dubai helps ensure students develop their creative voice using the same tools and workflows they will encounter in professional studios and creative agencies.”
The partnership places MAHE Dubai within Wacom’s global network of educational institutions and includes its listing on the Wacom Education Program directory. Students will gain hands‑on access to the latest Wacom Cintiq devices, which are widely used across the design, animation, gaming, and digital media industries. A dedicated student purchase programme will also offer supported pricing through a customised eStore platform.
