Dubai: 05 December, 2007 - BITS, Pilani - Dubai (BPD), a top line engineering university, today officially inaugurated its 15 acre  campus at Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), the world's first dedicated higher education cluster and member of TECOM Investments.

The new campus, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, includes a spacious academic block, laboratories and workshops of international standard, an entertainment complex and well laid out hostel blocks.

Among the first universities to establish a base at Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV) in 2000, the BITS, Pilani campus moved out of the academic cluster into its permanent facility when DIAC was launched earlier this year.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director of Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, said: "BITS, Pilani's permanent campus in Dubai International Academic City marks another significant milestone for Dubai Knowledge Village. It demonstrates the University's strong commitment to meeting the needs of students, the academic sector and the entire community.

"It also clearly illustrates the success of our academic and business models in the free zone where the university initially started its operations  during the incubation phase. Now, with the increase in student numbers and an expanded programme offering, BITS, Pilani has made a strategic move to set up a permanent campus. This will lead to substantial benefits, including a significant reduction in the institution's long term operational costs."

BITS, Pilani - Dubai provides quality engineering education to students in the Middle East and has a reputation for high standards in academic programmes. Over a seven year period, the institute has enrolled more than 1,200 students from the UAE, Middle East, India and other parts of the world.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim added: "BITS Pilani is one of our key business partners in DIAC. In offering high quality engineering programmes, it plays a crucial role in creating a pool of highly talented graduates for the benefit of regional economies."

Dr. K. K. Birla, Chancellor, BITS, Pilani said: "We have consistently aimed to deliver the highest level of academic excellence ever since we opened doors at Dubai Knowledge Village seven years ago. We also aspire to emphasize our distinctiveness through our commitment to create an ambience of intellectual enquiry, while instilling humane values and the spirit of leadership in our students."

DIAC was established in response to the continuously increasing number of educational institutions from various parts of the globe seeking to operate out of Dubai and setting up base in Dubai Knowledge Village.

Spread across an area of 25 million square feet, DIAC provides an intellectually stimulating environment for students and faculty. When complete, DIAC will feature areas dedicated to the international education zone, research and development centres, sports facilities, student unions and student and faculty accommodations.

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About Dubai International Academic City (DIAC)
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) located in the Dubai Academic City is the world's only Free Zone dedicated to higher education. 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 environment of vitality and inspiration for students and faculty. IAC partners also enjoy special privileges like 100% foreign ownership, 100% freedom from taxes, 100% repatriation of profits and effortless visa issuance procedures for students, faculty and staff. DIAC offers a self contained environment with world class facilities for recreational activities including restaurants, cinema, gym and sports grounds. A well appointed hostel accommodation provided within the campus allows for a well rounded educational experience. There are currently over 20 international universities of higher learning in Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City from diverse regions including Australia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Belgium, UK and Ireland operating out of DIAC, catering to over 9,000 students.  These institutions offer programmes that range in duration from one year to four years. Major academic programmes on offer include engineering, computer science, fashion and design, biotechnology, environmental studies, quality management and business management programmes.

For further information, please call:
Zeba Ahmad
JiWiN
The Exclusive Middle East Affiliate of Burson-Marsteller
Tel:  +9714 361 3590 (direct)
+9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
Fax: +9714 388 8001
e-mail: Zeba.Ahmad@jiwin.ae  

© Press Release 2007