Dubai International Academic City

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), informally known as Academic City, is a university town in the city of Dubai, United Arab Emirates along the Dubai-Al Ain Road. The project was launched in May 2006 in liaison with Dubai Knowledge Park.[2] As a university town, DIAC is a foundation for schools, colleges and universities. Consisting of 27 colleges and universities, 3 innovation centers, the DIAC enrolls about 27,500 students. It offers more than 500 academic programs in different fields.[3]

Dubai International Academic City

مدينة دبي الأكاديمية العالمية
University Campus
Nickname(s): 
DIAC
Coordinates: 25.1131°N 55.4084°E / 25.1131; 55.4084
Country United Arab Emirates
Emirate Dubai
Established2007
Area
 • Total11.98 km2 (4.63 sq mi)
Endowment200 million AED[1]
Students27,500

DirectorDr. Ayoub Kazim
Mohammad Abdullah
CampusUrban (2,960 acres)

Colours  Cyan

AffiliationsGovernment of Dubai, KHDA
Websitediacedu.ae

History

DIAC was established in 2007 as a university town and a residential free-zone dedicated to higher education by TECOM Group. It was approved by Government of Dubai and was launched as a common campus where schools, colleges and universities from Knowledge Park would move to.[4] Dr. Ayoub Kazim, former associate professor of United Arab Emirates University served as Managing Director of DIAC. In 2016, Mohammad Abdullah, president of Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation became the managing director.[5][6]

With a campus area of more than 129 million square feet, DIAC acts as a foundation for several residential colleges and universities. After its inception, a campus expansion program was taken up, which finished in 2012.[7] In 2006,Institute of Management Technology, Dubai was one of the first universities to set up permanent campus in DIAC.[8]

The year of 2017 witnessed 10 year anniversary of Dubai International Academic City. In the same year, Curtin University, United Arab Emirates University branch campuses were announced to establish in DIAC.

Present form

DIAC has grown into one of the largest educational hubs in the world. Consisting of 27 residential colleges and universities and 3 innovation centers, DIAC enrolls more than 27,500 students of over 150 nationalities. Universities and colleges offer more than 500 bachelor, master and doctoral programs in various fields of business, engineering, general sciences, humanities, management, medical sciences and technology.[3] It was titled as MENA's largest educational hub. Many other institutions are expected to move to DIAC in future. Currently, DIAC comprises reputed and renowned universities from other countries like American University, Murdoch University, BITS Pilani, British University.[9]

Due to large number of student intake, DIAC has taken up student housing projects for providing budget friendly accommodation to students enrolled in colleges affiliated to DIAC. However, some universities provide their own residential facilities and students are allowed to opt any of the two.[10]

DIAC has taken several steps to promote innovation and startups and provides incubation, facilities to interested students in innovation centers.[11]

Institutions

Colleges

Research centers

Schools

Universities

Institutions expected to move to DIAC
  • Dubai Aviation College (currently near Garhood Bridge)
  • Dubai Police Officers' Academy, (currently between Burj Al Arab and Sheikh Zayed Road)
  • St Petersburg State University of Engineering and Economics
  • UAE Academy of Hospitality

See also

References
  1. "Endowment".
  2. Robin Vinod (16 April 2019). "DIAC and Knowledge Park".
  3. "DIAC-About us".
  4. "Academic city highlights".
  5. "Dr. Ayoub Kazim".
  6. "Mohammad Abdullah".
  7. "Guide to Dubai".
  8. "IMT Dubai".
  9. "Universities in DIAC".
  10. "Housing in DIAC".
  11. "in5".
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