Dewan Supports Emerging Design Talent at De Montfort University Dubai Degree Show 2026

Jury participation and sponsorship strengthen design education ties

Dewan Architects + Engineers took part in the Degree Show 2026, hosted by the School of Design Innovation at De Montfort University Dubai, supporting graduating students as they presented their final projects and prepared to move from academic study into professional practice. Representing Dewan, Michel Azzi, Assistant Design Manager, and Nuria Cormand, Head of Interior Design Department, joined the Architecture and Interior Design jury panels, engaging directly with students as they presented their design thinking, creative direction and final-year work. Through open discussion and constructive feedback, the jury sessions gave students the opportunity to test their ideas against professional perspectives and gain a clearer understanding of how design decisions are evaluated beyond the academic environment. Dewan also sponsored the Best Graduate Design Project Awards, reinforcing the practice’s support for emerging talent and the importance of creating stronger connections between design education and the professional built environment.

The collaboration was supported by Vigisha Gopalakrishnan, Subject Lead for the School of Design and Innovation, who coordinated Dewan’s involvement in the event. Commenting on the collaboration, Vigisha said: “It was a pleasure to collaborate with Dewan Architects & Engineers at our Degree Show at De Montfort University Dubai. “We sincerely appreciate Michel Azzi and Nuria Cormand for sharing their expertise, constructive feedback, and valuable perspectives as members of our Architecture and Interior Design jury panels. “We are equally grateful to Dewan Architects + Engineers for sponsoring the Best Graduate Design Project Awards and for their continued commitment to supporting emerging talent. Thank you once again to the Dewan team. We look forward to continuing our partnership and developing future opportunities for collaboration.” Dewan’s participation in the Degree Show reflects the practice’s wider commitment to supporting the next generation of architects and designers, while helping students build stronger connections between academic exploration and the realities of professional practice.