Winter Study Tour 2027

Winter Study Tour at Ajman University

2027 Edition

AI: Ethical Societal Transformation

As one of the region's leading institutions, ranked #1 in the UAE for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence in the QS Rankings, Ajman University is proud to announce the 2027 edition of the Winter Study Tour.

Join us for a one-week inbound study tour exploring how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping society and the ethical questions that come with it. Designed for undergraduate and graduate students, the program blends lectures, hands-on workshops, industry visits, and cultural excursions into one unforgettable week.

Students from universities without a formal partnership with AU are welcome to apply. Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to apply early.

Register here

Read the Terms & Conditions →

By registering, you confirm you have read and agree to the AU OIAA Terms & Conditions, including the General Release and insurance requirements. Participants under 21 must have consent from a parent or legal guardian.

At a glance

Dates

17 to 22 January 2027

Duration

Six days, five nights

Who

Undergraduate & graduate students

Location

Ajman, UAE

What to expect

  • Discover how AI and generative AI are transforming societies, careers, and the workplace.
  • Get hands-on with AI tools and applications used across industries.
  • Explore how AI supports creativity, decision-making, and productivity.
  • Learn from experts across academia and leading tech companies.
  • Network with peers and professionals shaping the future of work.
  • Visit iconic landmarks including Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, and the Museum of the Future.
  • Experience the culture, heritage, and innovation of the UAE through curated visits.

What's included

Included

  • Cultural activities
  • Industrial visits
  • Five nights' accommodation (twin sharing) with daily breakfast
  • Welcome dinner with VIPs
  • Access to all technical sessions
  • Daily local transportation between accommodation, the university, and activities

Not included

  • Airline tickets
  • Visa fees
  • Airport transfer to the hotel on arrival
  • Lunches and dinners (available at the campus food court and nearby outlets)

Fees & payment

Individual early bird

USD 999

Register and pay until 30 October

Individual regular

USD 1,199

Register and pay until 1 December

Group

USD 899

Per participant for 10 or more from the same institution, plus 1 free chaperone

To secure your spot, complete payment by 1 December 2027:

  1. Go to the online payment page.
  2. Fill out the required fields.
  3. Under "Purpose of Payment", write WST27.

The full WST27 agenda will be announced soon.

Getting from the airport to the hotel

Your journey from the airport to the hotel on arrival is arranged by you. Once the tour begins, daily transport between the hotel, the university, and all activities is provided by us, so this first trip is the only one you need to plan yourself. A taxi is the easiest option, and it is inexpensive, especially if you share with other participants.

Which airport to choose

If you have a choice when booking your flight, Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) is the closest to Ajman (about 11 km), so it is usually the quickest and cheapest to reach the hotel. Dubai International Airport (DXB) also works well (about 22 km). We do not recommend Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH): it is far from Ajman and the taxi fare is much higher.

Sharjah (SHJ) to Ajman

approx. AED 40 to 70, 15 to 20 min

Dubai (DXB) to Ajman

approx. AED 80 to 120, 25 to 35 min

Abu Dhabi (AUH)

Not recommended, far and costly

Fares are approximate and for planning only. They vary with traffic, time of day, and car size, and an airport surcharge and a late-night surcharge may apply.

The app to use

We recommend Careem, the UAE's most widely used ride app, which also lets you book regulated Hala taxis from inside the app. Uber works everywhere in the country too, and Bolt is a newer, often cheaper option. Any of the three is fine. Download at least one before you fly and create your account in advance so you are ready the moment you land.

How to book a taxi

  1. Download Careem from the App Store or Google Play.
  2. Sign up with your name, mobile number, and a password, then allow location access.
  3. Tap the Car or Taxi icon.
  4. Set your pick-up (your airport terminal) and drop-off (the hotel, see below).
  5. Choose your car type: a standard car seats up to 3, and a larger option seats up to 6.
  6. Confirm. You will see the price upfront, plus the driver's details and live tracking.
Tip: You will need mobile data for the apps to work on arrival. Pick up a UAE eSIM or SIM card (available at both airports, or buy an eSIM online before you travel). Both cash and card are accepted in the apps.

Share a taxi and save

If several participants land around the same time, you can share one taxi and split the cost between you, which makes the trip much cheaper. For larger groups, a bigger vehicle (such as Careem Max or Uber XL) seats up to six and is easier with luggage. Use the WhatsApp group below to find others arriving close to your time.

Your hotel in Ajman

When booking your ride, set the drop-off to the hotel by name or by dropping a pin on the map.

Hotel

Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel

Address

Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi Street, Ajman Corniche, Ajman, UAE (opposite the Ajman Chamber of Commerce)

Open the location in Google Maps →
Tip: Save the hotel as a favourite in Careem or Uber, and download the offline map area before you land, so you can navigate even with no signal.

Stay connected: the WST27 WhatsApp group

Join the official WST27 WhatsApp group for all general communication before and during the tour. It is also where we share the arrival coordination list, so you can see who is landing around the same time as you and arrange to share a taxi to the hotel.

Join the WST27 WhatsApp group →

Quick tips

  • App fares are fixed and shown upfront, so there is nothing extra to agree with the driver.
  • Carry a little cash as well as a card. Both are accepted.
  • Sort out mobile data (eSIM or SIM) on arrival so your ride app works straight away.
  • Travelling as a group with luggage? A larger vehicle is cheaper per person and more comfortable.
  • Save the hotel address in your maps app before you set off.

Frequently asked questions

The tour welcomes participants from all countries, universities, year levels, and specializations. It is a great chance to connect and socialize, with opportunities across Business, Engineering, IT, and Architecture.
The visa is not included in the tour fee. Participants make their own arrangements to obtain a visa.
A payment link is shared through which participants make their payment online.
Sharjah (SHJ) is the closest to Ajman and usually the cheapest option, and Dubai International (DXB) also works well. We do not recommend Abu Dhabi. The transfer from the airport to the hotel is arranged by participants themselves. See the "Getting from the airport to the hotel" section above for guidance on booking and sharing a taxi.
Hotel accommodation includes breakfast during set hours.
Participants stay at the Bahi Ajman Palace Hotel on the Ajman Corniche. Rooms are double-occupancy and separated by gender.
Plug type G. Please bring an adapter if your electronics use a different plug.
Cancellations 25 or more days before the tour are refunded 100% of the fee. Cancellations 5 to 24 days before are refunded 50%. Cancellations less than 5 days before are not refunded.

Reserve your place

For early reservations and any questions, contact us at international@ajman.ac.ae.