Work on University of Wollongong in Dubai’s (UOWD) new campus in Knowledge Park is complete, with the facility having opened and set to welcome students from September 2020.
Spread across an area of 1.9ha, UOWD’s facility, which features six floors, is referred to as the ‘Campus of the Future’. The campus will support the anticipated surge in international students as the world adopts a more globalised approach to higher education.
UK-headquartered contractor ISG had won a fit-out contract for the new campus in October 2019. The building’s interiors have been designed by Woods Bagot and project management services are being delivered by Abu Dhabi-based consultancy Alexander Mac.
The campus features a modern architectural design that combines traditional and innovative learning spaces. Facilities within the campus include, learning and meeting rooms, small classrooms that can accommodate up to 40 students, large classrooms for up to 80 students, an exhibition space, a recruitment lounge, a student lounge, an ultramodern auditorium, and a café.
The premises also houses laboratories specialising in chemistry, thermodynamics, manufacturing, physics, robotics, media and communications, cybersecurity, networking as well as gaming.
Speaking about the new campus’ opening, Prof. Mohamed Salem, president of UOWD, said: “Our new campus embodies UOWD’s commitment to offering students the most advanced learning journey in the region, and reflects our passion for innovation in the field of higher education.
“As the world shifts towards blended learning and the digitalisation of the conventional education model, the launch of our new campus is particularly timely — incorporating traditional and modern teaching elements that are critical for today’s students to excel.”
The centre of the campus is home to UOWD library that features collaborative learning spaces, traditional reading and study zones, meeting rooms of varied sizes, and a student lounge designed as a casual learning space.
Meanwhile, the central atrium takes inspiration from Australia’s veranda settings. It branches out through corridors into pockets of informal learning spaces.
In addition, buildings on the new campus feature large, open windows, filling the premises with natural light.
