The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is celebrating the Dubai Metro's 15th anniversary with a slate of initiatives set to launch on September 9, 2024 — the exact date the metro first rolled into service in 2009. Chief among them is a full higher-education sponsorship programme targeting the cohort of students who share a birthday with the metro itself.
Metro Baby Scholarship: Free Higher Education for Students Born on 9/9/2009
The centrepiece of the anniversary is the Metro Baby scholarship, which will fund the full university education of 15 UAE nationals born on September 9, 2009 — the day the Dubai Metro opened.
To qualify, applicants must be UAE nationals who have maintained a cumulative GPA of 90% or above. Supported degree fields span the disciplines most critical to the UAE's future infrastructure: electromechanical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, data science, computer science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
The programme runs across three structured phases:
- School phase (2 years): Practical training at RTA during school breaks, participation in railway-focused training with strategic partners, and site visits to active rail projects. - University phase (4–5 years): Full scholarship for a specialised bachelor's degree, continued training at RTA during breaks, participation in leadership forums and RTA events. - Employment phase (2 years): Graduates join RTA's Rail Agency on the Fast Track Programme for engineers, earning professional certifications in Project Management and Value Engineering alongside rapid career advancement opportunities.
"Funding degrees in the most relevant areas that include electromechanical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, data science, computer science, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence," the RTA stated in its announcement.
The initiative signals not just a celebration of the metro's milestone, but a strategic investment in the next generation of UAE transport talent.
LEGOLAND Dubai Celebration for All Metro Babies
The anniversary celebrations extend well beyond the scholarship recipients. On Saturday, September 21, LEGOLAND Dubai will host a dedicated day for children born between September 9, 2009 and September 9, 2023 — all considered "Metro Babies" by the RTA.
Parents can register their children through the RTA's website for a day packed with games, prizes, and activities tailored to the occasion.
Live Music Across Metro Stations
From September 21 to September 27, commuters can look forward to live musical performances at stations across the metro network. The RTA has programmed both traditional Emirati and international artists, reflecting Dubai's culturally diverse character and aiming to make every daily commute feel like a celebration during anniversary week.
Nol Card Promo: Find the Secret Code on a Metro Ice Cream Stick
In a playful nod to the anniversary, the RTA is running a city-wide Nol card discount promotion for 5,000 residents. Participants must find a secret code printed on specially designed, limited-edition metro-shaped ice cream sticks distributed across Dubai. Successful code finders will receive discounts on their Nol cards.
A Citywide Milestone
With these combined events, the RTA is transforming the Dubai Metro's 15th anniversary into a broad citywide celebration — blending educational investment, community events, and everyday commuter fun into a single milestone moment.
