Move to Academic City is in Line With Dubai’s Strategy to Operate from Emirate’s Intellectual Hub, Says Vice-Chancellor;

Relocation to Offer Central Location for all Emirates and Accommodate an Increase in Number of Students and Staff

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

The British University in Dubai (BUiD), the Middle East’s leading research-based postgraduate university, today announced its strategic decision to relocate its campus from Knowledge Village to Academic City in time for the February 2010 intake.

The move comes following the University’s plans to upgrade and expand its facilities to accommodate more programmes, students, and staff.

“An increased number of professionals based in the UAE and surrounding countries are looking at higher education to meet their career goals,” said Professor Abdulla Alshamsi, Vice-Chancellor, BUiD.

“To accommodate the growth in demand for our programme offerings, and to meet our goals in expanding and upgrading our facilities, our move in February next year will further establish BUiD as a truly local University with a global vision,” added Professor Alshamsi.

With new programmes in the pipeline, including the recent announcement of the UAE’s first Doctorate, and MSc Construction Law and Dispute Resolution courses commencing in February 2010, BUiD’s relocation will allow for more room for growth.

At the new campus, BUiD also plans to extend its library, increase classroom capacity, and add more open-access space and staff offices.

In addition, being based in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) will allow students travelling from all Emirates to take advantage of its central location.

“We are planning to be as flexible as possible. With the move, it will provide better access for our growing number of students from all the Emirates,” added Alshamsi.
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is the world’s only Free Zone dedicated to higher education.
Martin Prince, Registrar, BUiD, said: “As Dubai’s own research-led University, BUiD aims to provide an educational environment which is truly a community of Knowledge-seeking and learning.”

“Having grown to respect and appreciate TECOM’s professionalism in its management and development of Knowledge Village, we are pleased to follow its strategic advice in relocating to Dubai International Academic City,” Prince added.
A regional base for premier international higher education institutions, DIAC is the world’s first dedicated tertiary cluster development. Spread across an area of 25 million square foot, the DIAC campus provides an intellectually inspiring environment for students and faculty members.
This thriving knowledge community was founded as part of a long-term economic strategy to develop the region’s talent pool, to accelerate its move into a knowledge economy.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director of Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) and Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), both members of TECOM Investments, said: “The relocation of The British University in Dubai (BUiD), carried out with the support of TECOM Investments, will enable the academic institution to offer enhanced facilities and increased space for staff, students and the wider research and higher education community. Its new location at DIAC will also provide greater opportunity for collaboration and dialogue with stakeholders including the federal institutions, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Sheikh Hamdan e-University.”

“As a centre for higher learning, DIAC remains one of the most compelling education clusters boasting world class infrastructure facilities. We are confident BUiD will find the academic free zone the most suitable to operate from and effectively contribute to academic progress through offering regionally tailored programmes,” he added.