University of Birmingham Dubai Breaks Ground for New Campus

Date Posted:Tue, 26th May 2020

University of Birmingham Dubai Breaks Ground for New Campus

The University of Birmingham has broken ground on the second phase of its Dubai campus in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), a member of TECOM Group, in the presence of H.E. Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister for Higher Education and Advanced Skills.

 

This landmark event marks the next stage in the global Top 100 University’s long-term commitment to supporting UAE society, particularly through its teaching and research.

H.E. Dr. Al Falasi was joined by Malek Al Malek, CEO of TECOM Group and the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir David Eastwood, who visited Dubai for the landmark ceremony, and they broke the ground on the site that will be home to the new campus from September 2021.

Located opposite Dubai’s first purpose-built student housing, and in proximity to retail outlets and sporting facilities, the iconic campus will benefit from DIAC’s vibrant student community and encourage collaboration across academic disciplines, with flexible learning spaces and formal teaching spaces, ensuring teaching and research work in tandem to benefit students.

The campus will be home for up to 2,900 students - featuring innovative teaching and research space to encourage cross disciplinary working. There will be a focus on learning spaces incorporating digital technology and a student hub to support student needs across teaching and wellbeing.

Designed by Hopkins Architects, the buildings will be located opposite the city’s first purpose-built student housing community - looking across parkland and green spaces and reflecting the green heart of the University’s campus in Birmingham giving the student community a campus university experience. Sheltered courtyards and social spaces that have been designed to enhance the campus’ sustainability will provide a relaxing environment in keeping with the Dubai climate.

The University of Birmingham was the first global top 100 and UK Russell Group university to establish a campus in Dubai in September 2018, offering degrees taught, examined and accredited to the same high standards as those delivered on its UK campus with students receiving a University of Birmingham degree.

The University of Birmingham Dubai already offers a wide range of programmes including Business, Economics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Banking and Finance, International Commercial Law, Psychology, and Teacher Training degrees, including teacher training in Arabic and Special Educational Needs and the range of degree programmes will continue to grow in the new campus.

The event also saw Professor Sir David Eastwood sign a co-operation agreement with His Excellency Humaid Al Qutami, Director-General of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) on behalf of the authority. The University of Birmingham Dubai has partnered with the DHA to identify research, education, training and management opportunities in healthcare.

Following the ground breaking and signing ceremonies, and marking another major milestone for the Dubai campus, distinguished guests attended the University of Birmingham Dubai’s first graduation ceremony, held at Jumeirah Beach Hotel on the same evening.

For more information about the University of Birmingham Dubai, please visit www.birmingham.ac.uk/dubai