Dubai’s largest private varsity to open in 2015

Amity University will become Dubai’s largest private university in 2015 when it opens doors of its new campus in Dubai International Academic City.

Amity University will become Dubai’s largest private university in 2015 when it opens doors of its new campus in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC). Construction work on the new project started on Wednesday with Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of the Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World, and senior officials from Dubai Government joining a large Indian delegation for the ground breaking ceremony.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed, Ashok K. Chauhan, founder president, Amity Education group, Atul Chauhan and other dignitaries at the ground breaking ceremony of Amity University’s new campus at Dubai International Academic City on Wednesday. — KT photo by Juidin Bernarrd

The ceremony marks the first major construction project announced in Dubai’s education free zones after the economic crisis.

Speaking with Khaleej Times, Atul Chauhan, president of Amity Education, said: “Amity already has more than 1,000 students in Dubai and it is the fastest growing branch campus. Our new campus is designed to integrate with future expansion plans.”

The university will be spread over a 700,000 square feet site in Academic City and talks are already underway for a further expansion for the planned campus.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), talking about the university’s contribution said: “It is very important to see how the university has grown so much in three years. It shows their confidence in Dubai as an education hub. We see a long-term commitment and the massive infrastructure will be supported by a diverse range of course offerings.”

Last year, the university also strengthened its commitment to Dubai by contributing Dh10 million for medical research to Al Jalila Foundation. Dr Ayoub Kazim, managing director of Tecom’s education cluster noted the university’s goals were aligned with Dubai’s vision to create human capital

“This project will contribute to the development of human capital which is needed to make Dubai one of the most successful cities in the world. The development of a nation can be assessed by the amount of funds being poured into research and development.”

The ground breaking marks a significant milestone for Dubai’s education free zones as the new project will inject Dh300 million in the education sector, creating opportunities for more than 5,000 students. The group plans to invest $500 million in UAE’s education infrastructure over the next three years.

muaz@khaleejtimes.com