Ajman education complex to house varsity, school, mall

Ajman - The READ group will invest Dh1 billion over the next five years

A Dh1-billion project in Ajman will house one of the biggest CBSE schools in the UAE, a university and a commercial complex. Around 16,000 school and college students will be accommodated in the new educational complex in Ajman's Al Tallah area after it is fully developed into a "campus environment".
The READ group, which is part of R-Holding, will invest Dh1 billion over the next five years to develop the 2.2-million square feet educational and commercial complex.
Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ajman Municipality and Planning Department and Chairman of READ, inaugurated the 1 million square feet City School campus on Monday.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Imran Khan, chief executive officer, READ, said the facility would be a major educational hub in Ajman, as the number of students seeking admission in schools and colleges has been on the rise. "In the last few years, the population of Ajman has increased by 1,00,000 to 1,50,000. There has been a growing need for new admissions. We started the City University College of Ajman (CUCA) in 2012, which will be relocated to the new spacious campus from its current leased location.
"Now we are starting City School, a CBSE school which is developed with a Dh100 million investment," Khan said.
While the school will accommodate 6,000 students, the university campus will accommodate 11,000 students with facilities like a hostel, sports grounds and a career enhancement centre. A Citylife Mall will come up at the complex, Khan added.
READ is the education arm of R-Holding, a diversified holding company.
When asked if there will be another academic city project in Ajman, Khan said: "I am not aware of any such immediate plans. Any universities in Ajman have to be approved by the Ministry of Higher Education."
Education cheaper in Ajman
The City University College of Ajman is currently located on a leased property on College Street, Al Nuaimia, Ajman. The campus will be relocated to the new complex in September 2017. "As the rents in Dubai and Sharjah are higher and the educational facilities in Ajman are 30 per cent cheaper, many students are seeking admission in our college and school," Khan added.
City School, which is said to be the biggest CBSE School in Ajman, has opened doors to students for the next academic session 2017-18.
Khan said: "The City School caters to the need for a quality educational institute in the emirate. It aims to create and sustain a student centred learning environment integrated with the UAE Vision 2021. We aim to ensure the highest quality of education by recruiting high quality teachers and ensuring regular training programmes to keep them abreast with the changing trends in education."
The school sports science and computer laboratories, outdoor sporting facilities - including swimming pool, athletic tracks, basketball, tennis and badminton courts - and a playpen for younger students.
Over 800 students have got admissions at the school already.
The first phase of the three phase development was toured by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Ajman Ports and Customs Department and member of the UAE Federal National Council; and Sheikh Salem bin Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Advisor to the Ruler of Ajman for Higher Education and Charity Work.
sathish@khaleejtimes.com
What the education complex will house
> City University College
- 11,000 students can be accommodated
- Hostel
- Sports grounds
- Career enhancement centre
> City School
- 6,000 students can be accommodated
- Science and computer laboratories
- Outdoor sporting facilities
- Playpen for younger students
> Citylife Mall

• Ajman