HERIOT-WATT University has hailed the official opening of its new Dubai campus as a ‘historic day’.
Located at the Dubai Knowledge Park, the seven-storey structure occupies 218,000 square feet and will serve almost 4,000 students.
It features a plethora of laboratories and workshops for automotive, chemical, civil, mechanical, electrical, energy, robotic and structural engineering. It also includes a specialist psychology laboratory and a large IT laboratory for computer scientists. Students will also benefit from a design hub catering to the current and future needs of those studying for a career in architecture, fashion and interior design.
The wider campus includes a ‘business incubator’ run by the Edinburgh business school at Heriot-Watt’s base in the capital. The university said it will aim to develop and support founders and start-ups, with it also being supported by the Bloomberg Trading Room, where students will be able to work with a simulated market environment using real-time data and a variety of functioning trading and non-trading workflows.
The new grounds feature an array of common areas where students can access essential services and amenities, including a dedicated student council hub; social learning spaces for independent and group study; a library; and a ‘maths gym’ for maths support, in addition to a central student services centre for student administration. The building also features a multipurpose venue, aptly named the Town Hall, with a cafeteria and auditorium-style seating suitable for hosting open days, presentations, and other interactive events.
Commenting on the move, Professor Ammar Kaka, provost and vice principal at Heriot-Watt University Dubai, said, “I am extremely pleased to open doors to our new campus today. The development of this campus is a testament to our continued commitment towards offering world class education and enviable infrastructure to our students. Our new campus building has been designed keeping the future student experience in mind; we believe that the supportive environment will allow us to deliver inspiring learning, increase academic success, cutting edge research and the holistic development of our students.”
