Today's Edition
ASILA AL BADI (ABU DHABI)
Having Google’s Gemini Pro within reach could mean “having a personal tutor round the clock” — but university students in the UAE are looking beyond the apparent academic benefits. Free access to this tool, they say, opens up broader opportunities that help them prepare for the future.
The UAE Government recently announced a strategic partnership with tech giant Google, providing university students with a free one-year subscription to the Pro plan of Google Gemini. The initiative is part of the country’s efforts to build an advanced AI talent pool and enable its youth to make the most out of the latest technologies.
For university students across the UAE, this project isn’t just another tech initiative, but a leap into the future of learning.
Those pursuing technology-related majors, like Rawdah Mohamed Alhosani, instantly saw how the tool could make “a real difference” in their studies.
“Having free access to Google Gemini Pro for a year gives us a chance to actually work with AI tools that we usually just read about. It can help us test ideas, improve our projects, and understand how AI connects with areas like cybersecurity and data systems,” said Alhosani, a student taking up Security and Network Technologies at Zayed University.
The partnership, she added, highlights the UAE’s commitment to empowering students with the tools necessary to keep up with global innovation.
“It’s not just about using technology — it’s about learning how to build with it and be ready for the future,” Alhosani said.
The collaboration offers university students access to the full set of Google’s latest AI model, Gemini 2.5 Pro, enabling them to generate text, images, and videos containing audio. It includes the Deep Research function, which provides in-depth reports using hundreds of online sites, and comes with 2 Terabytes of Google storage.
The offer also allows students to organise their notes and work through NotebookLM, which has been dubbed a “thinking companion”.
Alanood Mohammed Almazrouei, an Information Security student at UAE University, said Google Gemini would allow her to use advanced AI tools for research, project development, and problem-solving.
“It can help in writing and testing code, analysing cybersecurity threats, generating secure scripts, and improving our understanding of encryption and network defence techniques,” she said.
A recent Google Trends report shows a 110% rise in online searches for AI and study-related topics over the past two months, according to Anthony Nakache, Google’s Managing Director in the Middle East and North Africa. This trend underscores optimism in the potential of modern technologies to enhance creativity in educational settings.
By partnering with Google, the UAE continues to connect global innovation with local talent — ensuring that students in the country are not just users of AI, but active creators of it.
“I’m proud to see the country investing in education in ways that truly prepare us for what’s coming next,” Alhosani said.
How to Access Gemini 2.5 Pro
University students in the UAE over the age of 18 have until December 9 to register for the 12-month complimentary access to Gemini 2.5 Pro. They can log into http://gemini.google/students for more information.
