Tuesday March 24, 2026 | COLWOOD, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Royal Roads University (RRU) is based in Colwood on south Vancouver Island.
A satellite campus that RRU has been operating overseas in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been closed due to the war activity in nearby Iran.
The RRU UAE campus has operated for a few years at Ras Al Khaimah — about an hour north of the UAE capital city of Dubai. The campus is on Level 30 in Julphar Towers.
The status goal for the campus was “to redefine learning in the UAE”, according to the campus website.
Situation being monitored:
“The campus is currently closed while we continue to monitor the situation and ensure appropriate supports and flexible learning options are in place o avoid education disruptions,” said RRU in a statement to Island Social Trends yesterday.
“We remain in close contact with our colleagues and students there. Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff,” says RRU.
Some faculty began vacating the campus on February 28 — the same day that US President Trump announced bombing of nearby Iran with the goal of regime change in that country.
UAE has been a westernizing Middle East nation in recent years. Prime Minister Mark Carney was recently in UAE for a trade mission in November 2025.
UAE campus background:
The UAE campus opened a few years ago.
The number of students, faculty and staff that were on site at the end of February when the USA first bombed in Iran is yet to be confirmed.
The programs offered there were presented as offering the opportunity for real-world challenges, industry connections, and building a global network.
- Undergraduate courses included degrees in Business Administration, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Science.
- Post-graduate degrees were offered in Business Administration, Arts, Business Administration Executive Management.
Closer to home:
Yesterday RRU announced a graduate education partnership with Mount Royal University (MRU) based in Calgary.
While the RRU main campus is at the Hatley Castle site in Colwood, there is also a nearby downtown Langford campus opened in September 2025 with a focus on delivery of undergraduate programs.
===== RELATED:
- Royal Roads launches partnered program in Calgary (March 23, 2026)
- Canada’s economy impacted by Iran conflict, G7 supports Middle East partners (March 22, 2026)
- Post-secondary institutions should adjust to current conditions, says Ministry (March 12, 2026)
- Royal Roads University priorities for 2026-2027 (March 1, 2026)
- USA & Israel launch bombing in Iran (February 28, 2026)
- Deepening bilateral engagement and economic cooperation between Canada and UAE (November 23, 2025)
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