Thursday, Jun 04, 2009
Gulf News
Abu Dhabi: Zayed University in Abu Dhabi will soon open a new campus which can accommodate up to 6,000 students.
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mub-arak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and President of Zayed University, yesterday unveiled the design of the new Zayed University campus which will be developed by Mubadala Development Company.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Shaikh Nahyan said Zayed University's new campus will not only be a state of the art academic and research facility designed according to the highest international standards in the building of universities and research centres, but it will also reflect a combination of traditional and contemporary architectural and engineering elements highlighting the national identity and architectural heritage of the UAE.
Shaikh Nahyan commended the initiative and directives of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and President of the Abu Dhabi Educational Council, in establishing this academic edifice, which will become a landmark in higher education that translates the vision and continuous attention he has always shown in academe.
Shaikh Nahyan added that the new campus with its designs and international standard facilities will be worthy of carrying the name of the founder of the United Arab Emirates, Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who established the university 11 years ago as a beacon of science, knowledge and a bridge between cultures.
Under the agreement signed in December, Mubadala is designing, building and financing the new campus in addition to overseeing the non-academic operations of the new facilities for 25 years from the completion of construction.
"The development of Zayed University's new campus is an example of Mubadala's commitment to diversifying the economy by developing an educational infrastructure that underpins a well organised and flourishing society," said Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chief executive officer and managing director of Mubadala.
Dr Sulaiman Al Jasem, Vice President of Zayed University, explained that the new campus will include faculty and administration buildings, classrooms, science and computer laboratories, an 18,000 square metre library, cafeteria, sports complex and a conference centre equipped with the latest equipment used in organising and hosting events and conferences.
He said the groundbreaking for Zayed University's new Abu Dhabi campus marks the latest chapter in the university's development.
The ceremony coincided with the launching of the university's new strategic plan, "Destined to Lead".
The plan sets out a vision for the university's next five years, envisioning the expansion of the university's institutions and the strengthening of its teaching and research programmes.
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
