Andrew Vitiuk, COO of Synergy University Dubai, Shares Insights into Innovation, Academic Excellence, and Preparing Students for Global Success
Education UAE is thrilled to announce an exclusive interview with Andrew Vitiuk, COO of Synergy University Dubai, where he discusses the institution’s vision, cutting-edge initiatives, and the unique opportunities it provides to its diverse student body.
Education UAE: What inspired your transition to the commercial side of higher education, and how has it shaped your approach as CCO at Synergy University Dubai?
Andrew Vitiuk: Since childhood, I’ve been passionate about creating websites and solving problems which sparked my interest in how communication can bridge knowledge gaps. Nearly 10 years ago, I joined Synergy University Dubai, where I realised my skills could thrive in a corporate environment driven by innovation and strategy. As Head of Student Recruitment and Marketing, I leverage modern technologies and communication strategies to enhance student engagement, improve recruitment and make quality education accessible to a wider audience. This role allows me to combine my technical expertise with my passion for education. I also had a unique work-study experience at Synergy University. While employed, I enrolled in several of the university’s programs, attending courses at Synergy Business School. This combination of work and study enhanced my personal development and significantly propelled my career forward.
Education UAE: How do you balance Synergy University’s mission of transforming lives with the business needs of running a competitive educational institution?
Andrew Vitiuk: At Synergy University Dubai, we align our financial strategies with our mission by investing in programmes that address real-world student needs and local job market demands. We offer courses in fields like full-stack development, global economy, sustainability, innovative entrepreneurship, and hotel management, which contribute to both local and global job markets. Dubai’s focus on sustainable development, innovation, and tourism makes it the perfect setting for these programmes. We also track global job trends to stay ahead of the competition. Above all, the student experience is central to our operations, ensuring our offerings remain relevant and valuable.
Education UAE: In terms of the Saudi hospitality industry, are you seeing a lot of students coming from Saudi Arabia?
Andrew Vitiuk: While Saudi Arabia isn’t our largest source of students, we do have students from there, and we’re noticing growing interest. To tap into this potential, we’re planning to open a representative office in Saudi Arabia to increase our recruitment efforts. The hospitality sector is thriving, and we believe that offering programmes tailored to the needs of the region will attract more Saudi students to Synergy University.
Education UAE: You’ve been instrumental in positioning Russian education in the UAE. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?
Andrew Vitiuk: Positioning our curriculum in the UAE presented challenges, including overcoming stereotypes, cultural differences and regulatory complexities. A major obstacle was establishing trust in the quality and relevance of our curriculum. We addressed this by emphasizing transparency and ensuring that, while our curriculum is Russian, it meets international standards, with fully accredited Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD and MBA programs.
A key distinction is the value we offer. Our bachelor’s programs require 280 credit hours double the typical British program at half the price, with tuition around $5,000 per semester. This makes quality education more affordable. We are committed to connecting students with the job market through collaborations with the government and local businesses, enhancing career success. This approach strengthens Synergy University’s reputation in the region by attracting students who might otherwise struggle with tuition costs.
Education UAE: What sets Synergy University Dubai apart from other universities in the UAE? What is the core ethos of the institution?
Andrew Vitiuk: Synergy University Dubai stands out for its unique combination of global perspective and regional relevance. While many universities focus on either international standards or local needs, we integrate both. Synergy is not just a university but an entire ecosystem, including subsidiaries like our business school, startup accelerator, travel agency, and more, creating a network that benefits students through lifelong learning. We also emphasize entrepreneurial education, particularly through our Startup Booster programme, where students develop their thesis into real-world startup projects. The most promising ventures receive investment, ensuring that our graduates are prepared to launch businesses or secure high-paying jobs upon graduation.
Education UAE: How does Synergy University align its curriculum with international standards to prepare students for global job markets?
Andrew Vitiuk: At Synergy University, we continually align our curriculum with international standards, benchmarking it against industry leaders and working with global accreditation bodies. We focus on practical, hands-on learning through real-world projects and internships. Our motto, “Education is transformation,” underpins our approach. We incorporate case studies in the classroom and equip students with in-demand skills in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship. By fostering a mindset of lifelong learning, we prepare graduates not only to be job-ready but to lead and innovate in an interconnected world.
Education UAE What unique opportunities does Synergy University offer in entrepreneurial education and industry partnerships that differentiate it from competitors?
Andrew Vitiuk: Synergy University Dubai offers a unique ecosystem for entrepreneurial education and industry engagement. Initiatives like the Mega Campus Summit 2024, the Synergy Pilot Business Incubator and the thesis-as-startup model set us apart. The Mega Campus Summit, a flagship event connects students with global business leaders, entrepreneurs and experts featuring keynote speakers like Nassim Taleb and Robin Sharma.
Our Synergy Pilot Business Incubator provides students with hands-on opportunities to develop business ideas, guided by mentors and industry leaders. Additionally, our thesis-as-startup model allows students to create a market-ready business as part of their academic work, blending theory with real-world application.
Education UAE: Synergy University attracts students from various international backgrounds. How does this diversity enrich the campus environment?
Andrew Vitiuk: Synergy University Dubai attracts students from the UAE, CIS countries, Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond, creating a diverse and vibrant campus. Our events department organizes a variety of activities that allow students to network, make friends and engage with different cultures. With representative offices in countries like Uzbekistan, India and China, we source international students from all over the world, ensuring a truly global campus environment.
Education UAE: What support systems or initiatives are in place to help international students adjust and thrive in Dubai?
Andrew Vitiuk: Supporting our international students is a priority at Synergy University Dubai. Our dedicated student support team helps with academic guidance, settling into Dubai and navigating the challenges of living abroad. They also assist with career opportunities, internships and overall student welfare.
We collaborate with trusted housing providers to offer safe, affordable accommodation near campus at preferential rates. Additionally, our Career Centre connects students with over 260 industry partners, aiming for 1,000 by 2025. It provides internships, career advice, interview preparation and industry experience through local and international employers. We also facilitate connections with top professionals who share valuable insights in our classrooms.
Education UAE: Can you highlight a few success stories of students or alumni who have significantly benefited from their time at Synergy University?
Andrew Vitiuk: Synergy University Dubai has many inspiring alumni success stories. On our LinkedIn page, you’ll find graduates making significant contributions to the economy. For example, Dmitry is the CEO and founder of Alnagar, Dr. Zainab is a Human Resources Business Partner at AGMC, and Mr. Daveron is a Chief Specialist at a major bank. Mr. Sadaf is the CEO of a startup, and Filipino graduates from the Hotel and Restaurant Management program work at Accor. These success stories highlight Synergy’s impact and motivate future students. We remain committed to supporting our alumni, whose achievements inspire us to continuously improve our educational offerings.
Education UAE: What degree programmes are currently offered at Synergy University Dubai, and are there plans to expand these offerings in response to emerging industries?
Andrew Vitiuk: Synergy University Dubai currently offers four undergraduate programmes and master’s degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Management, Global Economy, Sustainability and Applied Informatics, along with an Executive MBA in Strategy. Looking ahead, we plan to expand our offerings in response to emerging industries. A key focus is logistics, given Dubai’s role as a major logistics hub. We’re also planning new programmes in IT, Corporate Law and Marketing to address industry needs in the UAE and beyond.
Education UAE: How does the university integrate technology and online learning, and what future trends do you foresee in this space?
Andrew Vitiuk: Technology and online learning are essential at Synergy University Dubai. Our Learning Management System provides access to an extensive online library, tracks academic progress, facilitates assignment submissions and enables communication with faculty, enhancing flexibility and accessibility.
Synergy University has one of the largest online student bodies in the CIS, with over 140,000 students in our online programs. This growth reflects the increasing demand for online education. We’re committed to expanding our online degree offerings, especially for students in remote areas who lack access to campus-based learning. As online education continues to grow, we aim to provide flexible learning options to meet global student needs, positioning Synergy University as a leader in this space.
Education UAE: What is your vision for the university’s growth over the next five years, and how will it impact the UAE’s higher education landscape?
Andrew Vitiuk: In the next five years, Synergy University Dubai plans to expand its offerings in emerging sectors like logistics, corporate law and marketing. We also aim to strengthen our online learning initiatives, providing more degree programs and flexible options to meet the growing demand for online education, ensuring that students have access to diverse learning pathways. As the UAE’s education landscape evolves, Synergy University will play a key role in shaping the future of higher education focusing on industry-relevant programs and cutting-edge technology. Our goal is to lead higher education in the UAE and the region by building strong industry partnerships and offering practical hands-on learning that prepares students for success in a global job market. We are committed to staying ahead of trends and continually adapting our curriculum to meet the needs of both students and employers, ensuring our graduates are highly competitive in a fast-changing world.
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