Heriot-Watt University, Dubai Campus is set to expand to cater for regional demand, with the ground-breaking ceremony taking place Saturday 10 July for a new campus that is set to treble its capacity and significantly extend its course offering.
As a part of a £35m (AED200m) new development, the 28,000 sqm (300,000 sq. ft) state-of-the-art campus will be modern and eco-friendly, extending the leading 1500-student campus to accommodate a further 3000 enrolments. A quarter of the Campus' total investment is being supported through the partnership with Eikon International Holding, which collaboratively works with select universities to advance graduate and under-graduate programmes.
The Campus will provide student accommodation (with associated food court and banking facilities), a multi-purpose auditorium with capacity for 800 people, well-equipped engineering laboratories, ICT labs with video-conferencing facilities and world-class fashion and design studios. Smart card and fingerprint technologies are also set to be used.
Upon completion of the new Campus €“ set to open in September 2011 €“ the University plans to expand its course offering with a wide range of subjects including: Architectural Engineering (a first in the region); Interior Design; Logistics and Supply Chain Management; Applied Psychology; Food Science; Safety and Health; Financial Risk Management; Actuarial Science; Graphic Design; Multimedia; International Law; Computer Sciences.
The building site for the new Campus will also become a lesson in the making with construction, engineering and design students all taking part in regular site visits in order to gain valuable insight into the construction process, as the site evolves.
Professor Steve Chapman, Principal of Heriot-Watt University, said, "This is a very special milestone for our Dubai Campus and for our University as a whole. Some 45% of the students who are awarded a Scottish degree overseas obtain that degree from Heriot-Watt University and our Dubai Campus is the jewel in the crown of our international activity."
"This new development, which is being undertaken in partnership with our infrastructure provider Eikon International, will be purpose built to support our expanding programmes and will enhance the quality of the student learning and teaching experience. It is clearly an indication of our long-term commitment to our highly successful operation in Dubai."
Dr. S. Reddy, Chairman of Eikon International, said, "The new campus will help establish the high quality reputation of Heriot-Watt University in the UAE and will pave the way for the university's further expansion in the region."
Dr Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of Education Cluster €“ TECOM Investments, said, "Heriot€“Watt University was the first international university to set up base at Dubai International Academic City, offering quality British education to students in Dubai and the wider region.
"The groundbreaking of the new campus for Heriot-Watt University marks an important milestone for DIAC and the Scottish University. We believe the student numbers at the campus is a reflection of the institution's strong growth. It also validates the increased demand for quality education in Dubai, which has evolved into a leading destination for higher learning in the region."