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Zayed University’s Abu Dhabi campus nears completion

ABU DHABI — A dramatic sweeping aluminum roof will fit the bill of creating one of the most futursitic university campuses in the country as the countdown to the opening of Zayed University’s Abu Dhabi campus begins. The campus will open on July 31, to welcome students to the new academic year, beginning September.

The Dh3 billion partnership among Mubadala Development Company, the Abu Dhabi Education Council and Zayed University is the latest and most ambitious addition to the institution’s campuses in the UAE. The 18.8 hectare site in Khalifa City consists of three main campuses housing a total of 28 buildings, including a convention centre with seating capacity for up to 1000 people, a sports complex, residential buildings and a children’s education centre which will provide childcare for both students and staff with children.

The showpiece of the campus will be the dramatic aluminium clad feature roof, which covers the central campus buildings and circles a large open central space which can be used for outdoor events for over 1,500 people.

“We are delighted to see the vision now moving into a phase that is so close to completion,” said Shaikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and President of Zayed University.

“This project has been two years in the making. When complete, it will provide a state-of-the-art educational environment for the UAE’s capital, one which will support the growth and future development of our young people, many of whom are set to become leaders in their future careers,” said Shaikh Nahayan. The feature roof is the first of its kind in the region. Designed by German Architect Hadi Teherani, it combines modern and traditional architectural styles emphasising innovation and sustainability.

According to the architect, there were a number of challenges associated with constructing such an intricate structure, and nothing of this scale has been completed before in the region. “The central functions of the University are linked organically, inspired by the flowing forms of the desert and the veil,” said Teherani. “Functionally, the integrated, shady outdoor spaces activate communication.” It is expected that this structure will become a landmark not only for Abu Dhabi but for the entire region.

With an initial capacity for 6,000 students, the grounds will offer separate male and female campuses with their own dining halls, residential buildings, classrooms and other facilities.

“We estimate that roughly 75 per cent of our first intake of students will be female,” said Dr Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President of Zayed University. Dr Sulaiman anticipates an increase in enrolment in the near future and the design of the structure allows for an equal number of males and female students. “The campus has been designed for a future build-out which will easily accommodate up to 10,000 students,” he explains. The highly anticipated grand opening ceremony is scheduled to take place in December, where a yet-to-be revealed roster of dignitaries is expected to be in attendance.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com