Located within Dubai International Academic City, the new University of Birmingham facilities will open in September 2021
The University of Birmingham, the UK institute ranked among the world's top 100, has signed an agreement to build the second phase of its campus in Dubai.
Sir David Eastwood, the university's principal and vice-chancellor, and CEO of TECOM Group Malek Al Malek signed the agreement, which will see a new purpose-built campus built.
Located within Dubai International Academic City, the facilities will open in September 2021 and provide an academic home for up to 2,900 students with the opportunity to extend the development as the University of Birmingham Dubai grows.
Designed by Hopkins Architects, the buildings will be located opposite the city’s first purpose-built student housing community. The 50,000 sq m campus is designed to encourage collaboration across all academic disciplines, with flexible learning spaces and formal teaching spaces ensuring teaching and research can work in tandem to benefit students. A student ‘hub’ will locate student services in one space while other facilities will include a 300-seat lecture theatre, an auditorium and three laboratories accommodating 200 students, along with seminar and tutorial rooms.
Birmingham was the first global top 100 and UK Russell Group university to establish a campus in Dubai.
Dr Ed Smith CBE, University of Birmingham pro-chancellor and chair of council, said: “This is a truly exciting milestone for the University of Birmingham. From the outset, council members have wholeheartedly supported this visionary project to build a campus in Dubai.”
Eastwood added: “We welcomed our first students to the University of Birmingham Dubai in September and, just five months later, we have begun the next exciting stage of our contribution to UAE society.
“As a global university with a civic outlook, we are committed to playing our part in supporting the UAE as it drives economic progress through knowledge and innovation, whilst contributing to the development of a growing international education hub in Dubai.”
The University of Birmingham Dubai already offers programmes including Business, Economics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and teacher training degrees. It is launching new study programmes for 2019/20 in areas such as Accounting, Banking and Finance, International Commercial Law and teacher training in Arabic and Special Educational Needs.
Mohammad Abdullah, managing director of Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Park, said: "We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with the University of Birmingham. The establishment of the University of Birmingham at DIAC represents an important step towards a long-term relationship that will enhance educational experiences for local and transnational students alike."
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