Research hub a catalyst for R&D driven education
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Monday, February 3rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]
Amity University broke ground for its new state-of-the-art campus at Dubai International Academic City (DIAC).The new campus is set to become a centre of excellence for the research community and a hub for leading academics in the region.
The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates Chairman Board of Trustees of Al Jalila Foundation, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Al Karam, Director General of Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of TECOM Investments’ Education Cluster and Mr. Atul Chauhan, Chancellor of Amity University.
The university will accommodate a total of 5,000 students at full capacity and will be the largest private university campus spanning 700,000 sq ft space in DIAC. The campus will incorporate hi-tech laboratories and the latest technology for the University’s Departments of Engineering, Management, Hospitality and Forensic Science, and will provide extensive sports facilities including soccer pitches, an athletics track, aquatics centre, indoor multipurpose courts, gyms, cricket lanes and tennis courts.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Managing Director of TECOM’s Education Cluster, which includes both DIAC and DKV said: "The development of a nation can be assessed by the amount of funds being poured into research and development. We are very pleased with Amity University for making such a significant commitment that helps DIAC achieve its goal of becoming the region’s leading education and research institution in line with the Government mandates. Amity has committed AED300 million towards setting up of this campus.”
Last year, in a strong show of commitment to Al Jalila Foundation, the university contributed AED10 million to conduct medical research in the UAE. A team of case study writers at Amity University in Dubai have UAE-specific case studies that have been published by European Case Clearing House.
Chancellor Atul Chauhan of Amity University said: "We strongly believe in harnessing the UAE’s potential to become a research and innovation hub in the region. Amity is committed to establishing a world-class research driven university in Dubai that will attract the best scientists and students from around the world.
"We are proud that within the last two years of our presence in Dubai we have made a positive impact in the higher education arena, been able to gift scholarships to 125 students every year, and contributed significantly to research and innovation, all with the encouragement and support of our regulators KHDA and the high quality of services and support provided by our host Dubai International Academic City,” Chauhan added.
DIAC will be working closely with the university to migrate its faculty and students from its current location at DIAC, to its own newly appointed campus on Academic City Road – which is expected to be completed by 2015.
Earlier this year, DIAC commissioned a Workforce Planning Study in conjunction with Deloitte that revealed that there are 64 skills in high demand across a range of sectors in the region, including the skills required for entry-level tourism and senior-level telecoms roles. Amity University is now working with DIAC to look at ways of addressing these skills gaps. The university added 2 new courses to its current portfolio of 26 programmes in 2013, in direct response to the demands of local industry to provide programmes catering for renewable energy, nanotechnology, nuclear science, real estate management, transport and logistics, hospitality and tourism sector.
Amity University in Dubai is part of the non-profit Amity group of international institutions, with a combined student body of over one hundred thousand in India, the US, UK, Mauritius, Romania, China and Singapore, among others.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Dubai International Academic City
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is the world’s only Free Zone dedicated to Higher Education. Established in 2007 as part of TECOM Investments, DIAC aims to develop the region’s talent pool and help establish the UAE as a knowledge-based economy through the provision of multi-tiered academic institutions that are internationally accredited.
DIAC is located on a fully-appointed 18 million sq ft. campus with state-of-the-art facilities. It is currently home to 21 of the UAE’s 37 International Branch Campuses from 11 countries, offering more than 400 internationally recognised degree programmes to a student body of 125 nationalities.
About DIAC Workforce Planning Study
The DIAC Workforce Planning Study is the region’s most comprehensive, independent study regarding workforce skills gaps that currently exist within emerging markets. The survey of over 2,400 students across 17 markets in MEA and Asia and a cross section of companies was held in conjunction with leading consultancy firm Deloitte. The aim of the study was to garner how students and businesses perceive the education landscape in the region, and to uncover how well the UAE’s current education programmes are serving the needs of industry. According to the corporates surveyed within the study, there are 64 skills in high demand across a range of sectors including the skills required for entry and mid-level roles in the energy sector.
About Amity University Dubai
Amity University Dubai has been established in line with Amity’s commitment to conduct world class education and research in alignment with the strategic vision of Dubai. Based out of the Dubai International Academic (DIAC), Amity University Dubai offers a truly global education experience with top international faculty and students from over 35 different nationalities. The students of Amity Dubai are awarded UGC recognized degrees which are accepted internationally. The degrees are also recognized by Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) Government of Dubai. Amity University Dubai Campus offers 28 career focused programs at the Undergraduate and Postgraduate levels in diverse disciplines of higher education. Besides the conventional programmes like Engineering, Management, Hospitality etc., the University also offers new age programmes like Nanotechnology, Aerospace Engineering, Nuclear Science and Forensic Science.
Contacts
MEDIA –
Dina Samhout or Layla Haroon, Bell Pottinger:
+971 555597394 or +971 55 636 0425
DIAC –
Brendan Vyner, Brand Manager, TECOM Investments Education Cluster:
+971 4 360 2960
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