This September, Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) will be a step closer to creating a global, world-class education centre, with the addition of the University of Birmingham campus.
According to Arabian Business online, the University of Birmingham officially opened its campus in February, but will welcome its first cohorts this September, and is the first global top 100 and UK Russell Group University to create a campus in the city.
Students are able take degree subjects in a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including, Business, Economics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and teacher training degrees, with further programmes to be offered in the future.
The University of Birmingham Dubai degrees will be taught, examined and accredited to the same standards of those delivered in the UK.
Professor Sir David Eastwood, the university’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor, was among VIP guests who took a tour of the new campus in February this year at the official opening ceremony. He cut the ribbon which marked the first phase of the campus in Dubai International Academic City.
Professor Eastwood said: “I am delighted to open our campus in Dubai and look forward to opening our doors to the first cohort of students to the University of Birmingham Dubai in September.” He continued, stating “I would like to thank our partners here in the UAE for their support in helping us achieve this milestone. We are a global university and, for more than 20 years, have provided opportunities for students to study on our degree programmes at partner institutions around the world.”
The University of Birmingham has strategic partnerships in the USA, Australia, China, and Brazil, with research collaborations in countries around the world. The Dubai campus will promote them as a forward thinking, world class institution.
Eastwood further stated that “As a global university with a civic outlook, we are committed to contributing to UAE society and playing our part in supporting the UAE as it drives economic progress through knowledge and innovation, whilst contributing to the development of a growing international education hub in Dubai.”
Chairman and director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dr Abdulla Al Karam, added: “The opening of University of Birmingham is an important milestone in our goal to build a world-class education hub in Dubai. It represents new opportunities for students who can now look at a wider offering of education and research led programmes that are driven by Dubai’s ambition to be a global leader in innovation.”
The Dubai International Academic City which spreads over an area of 129,000,000 square feet, was launched in May 2006 as an area where educational institutions from within Dubai Knowledge Village will move to. The purpose of DIAC is to be a base for schools, colleges and universities. Over 12,000 students study within 13 international higher education institutes in DIAC.
