Dubai Knowledge Village unveils Dubai International Academic City

Located in Dubai Academic City, DIAC will serve as the regional base for premier international higher education institutions.

The announcement was made at a press conference held concurrently with Gulf Education and Training Exhibition (GETEX), the Middle East's leading education show, being held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from 11-14 April.

Dr. Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director, Dubai Knowledge Village and DIAC, said: "Dubai is already experiencing an exponential growth in the higher education sector. Dubai International Academic City has been created in response to the tremendous growth that Dubai Knowledge Village has witnessed over the past four years, attracting educational institutions from around the world.

"Dubai International Academic City has been founded as part of a long-term economic strategy to develop the region's talent pool. It underscores the Dubai Strategic Plan announced by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to address the need for building a knowledge based economy."

Spread across an area of 25 million sq. ft., DIAC is the first dedicated tertiary cluster development. Out of this, eight million sq. ft. will be dedicated to the international higher education zone, while three million sq. ft will be allocated for research and development centres. Sports facility, student union, student and faculty accommodation will take up another three million sq. ft.

The benefits for DIAC partners include 100 per cent foreign ownership, tax free status and full repatriation of profits. Additionally other support services that will be rendered by DIAC include issuance of students and faculty visas and organizing of major student related events and activities.

Dr. Kazim indicated that several international universities have already moved to DIAC, providing a wide range of choice to students looking for world-class education within the region. "Through DIAC, we are seeking to create a large vibrant academic community in Dubai that will serve to synergise learning resources to accelerate the development of higher education in the region," he added.

Nearly 20 international institutes of higher learning from Australia, India, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Belgium, UK and Ireland have already set up base at DIAC, catering to over 8,500 students. These include the University of Wollongong in Dubai, from Australia; Middlesex University Dubai Campus from United Kingdom and S.P Jain Centre of Management Dubai, from India.

DIAC will offer a range of facilities to cater to the needs of the students and faculty.

It will provide on-campus accommodation with all the modern conveniences including broadband internet connection. A short drive from the business and leisure districts of Dubai, DIAC will offer apartments in a safe environment in a wide variety of sizes and prices for students. Students will have the choice to customize their apartments.

In addition, DIAC will offer students access to a modern sports centre complete with a gym, basketball and volleyball courts and a soccer pitch. Facilities for track and field athletics will also be provided.

The DIAC campus will have a well developed student union to facilitate extra-curricular activities. These will include lounges, wellness centres, dining facilities and entertainment venues as well as movie theatres and gaming centres etc.

The accommodation, sports centre and student union facilities will be operational by 2009.