Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi University (ADU) on Tuesday announced that it would open its new campus to be built at a cost of Dh300 million in Al Ain as part of its contribution to the National Strategy for Higher Education 2030.
Spanning an area of 28,000 square metres, the new gender-segregated premises will replace the university’s current Al Ain campus. Scheduled for completion by September 1, 2019, the first phase will comprise 70 classrooms and laboratories as well as 137 faculty and administration offices, in addition to state-of-the-art facilities including a gym, a clinic, a food court, a library, and a prayer room on every floor.
Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Daheri, chairman of ADU’s Board of Directors, said: “Today’s milestone announcement reinforces ADU’s status as a world-class national academic institution. The new campus aims to provide a modern holistic educational environment and meet the growing student demand at a time when the university has earned several international accolades, most notably the third place in Quacquarelli Symonds’ QS World University Rankings 2019 for International Faculty Ratio, as well as entering QS Top 150 under 50 — a list of the world’s best universities under the age of 50.
“In line with the directives of our wise leadership, represented by UAE President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates, ADU is keen to play an integral role in establishing a strong educational system to achieve the objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071,” he added.
“As a key contributor to the UAE’s labour market, the university equips new generations to execute the nation’s ambitious projects, such as the Emirates Mars Mission and the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, and to make their mark in biotechnology and life sciences,” he said.
Al Daheri said the new campus would be able to accommodate 2,500 students during its first phase, with that number going up to 5,000 students in its second phase.
“The construction of the Al Ain campus comes in response to a directive by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and chairman of ADU’s Board of Regents, to expand the university’s offerings beyond the newly opened Dubai campus and the new academic centre at the Baynona Educational Complex (BEC) in Al Dhafra.
