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Abu Dhabi will have a campus of UAEU

ABU DHABI — The launch here of Al Hikma Development Company, set up to develop a multi-million-dirham state-of-the-art campus for the Al Ain-based UAE University, was attended by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Other Shaikhs, ministers, members of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, high government officials and top academics were also in attendance.

Shaikh Nahyan, in his welcome address, outlined the vision for the new campus. He praised the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for giving education the top priority in the country.

"The UAE University is the nation's first higher educational institution; and after three decades of the university's establishment, there is a need to solidify its leading position locally and drive it forward to become the region's leading educational centre," he stressed.

Al Hikma Development Company will start the construction activity in the second quarter of 2006. The project is envisaged as a Public Private Partnership and the construction will be on a Build Own Operate and Transfer basis. The project, scheduled to complete in 2010, will be spread over more than 80 hectares in Al Maqam area of Al Ain. Al Hikma's responsibility will extend to the overall operation of the university for 28 years.

Mubadala CEO Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak said the project will enable them to work side by side with the university to advance the strategic development sector.

"We will invite private institutions to invest in Al Hikma Development in the near future, making this a true public-private partnership," Al Mubarak added.

To ensure completion in second quarter of 2010, Al Hikma has divided the project into four phases.