Heriot-Watt University, the first British institution to set up a campus in Dubai, has announced that it has awarded the interior fit-out contract for its new campus to leading UAE construction group Khansaheb Civil Engineering.
 
The tender process which followed public procurement guidelines, started in mid-2019 with the contract being finalised and awarded last month.
 
Heriot–Watt University Dubai was assisted and advised by global real estate expert, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), who have been signed up as the project managers.
 
On the ambitious project, Ammar Kaka, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University said: "Last year we announced our intention to move to a new and enhanced campus in Dubai Knowledge Park. This move is a key part of delivering Heriot-Watt's ambitious six-year strategy for the University and demonstrates our commitment to the region even during these unprecedented times, as well as our growth plans for the future."
 
"The new campus is scheduled to open in January 2021, and we are today pleased to announce the appointment of Khansaheb who will work with us to deliver our vision of student experience," stated Kaka.
 
Khansaheb Civil Engineering Group GM Steve Flint said: "The contract win was testament to the expertise that exists within our team and our excellent track record in delivering such challenging and important facilities in the UAE. We have been delivering projects in the UAE since 1935."
 
As per the deal, Khansaheb will deliver internal fit-out, MEP installation, joinery products and metal work for Heriot-Watt’s new campus. All deliverables will be benchmarked against stringent performance indicators covering health and safety, quality assurance and on-time completion aspects.
 
"It will once again allow us to demonstrate our capabilities on a landmark project where the highest standards of safety, quality and overall customer satisfaction are required," he stated.
 
"We are delighted to have the opportunity of working under such a strong collaborative arrangement with Heriot Watt and the entire project team to ensure a successful delivery of the new Campus, providing the best specialist facilities for students and an excellent learning environment," he added.
 
Heriot-Watt said the unique features in its new campus include a dedicated student hub, social learning spaces, an engaging library with study skills spaces and provision of a Maths gym for Maths support, and a central student services centre for students administration.
 
Classrooms are being designed to be more interactive: rather than traditional lecture theatres there will be two collaborative lecture theatres supporting small group work as well as whole class teaching, stated the institution.
 
It will also include an in-house recording studio in order to enable and encourage the creation of digital materials in line with Heriot–Watt’s vision of offering a world-class interactive learning experience, it stated.
 
Heriot–Watt University will be opening the doors to its new campus in 2021 as the next step in its journey, which has thus far offered internationally renowned education in Dubai for 14 years.
 
The university operates five campuses across the UK, Dubai and Malaysia, as well as an extensive range of online study programmes, it added.-TradeArabia News Service

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