Ahmed bin Saeed Approves RIT Dubai Expansion to Boost Higher Education and Innovation
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has approved a major AED313 million expansion of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Dubai campus at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
The development will more than double the campus size, significantly increasing its student capacity and reinforcing Dubai's ambitions to become a global hub for knowledge and innovation.
The expansion will add 85,000 square metres of advanced academic infrastructure, bringing the total built-up area to 124,000 square metres—a 217 percent increase. Once completed in 2028, the campus will accommodate approximately 4,500 students, up from its current 2,100.
The project will be delivered in two phases. Phase one is set for completion by Q1 2027 and will include academic and administrative buildings, a dining hall, and a student centre. Phase two, due by Q3 2028, will add research labs, a library, lecture halls, and specialised centres.
Five integrated research centres will anchor the expanded campus, focusing on energy sustainability, smart cities, innovation and entrepreneurship, modern manufacturing, and support for people of determination. These initiatives align with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the emirate's wider goals for economic diversification.
Sheikh Ahmed emphasized the expansion reflects Dubai's vision to create an education system that evolves with technological change, strengthens research, and supports a knowledge-driven economy.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, DIEZ Executive Chairman, highlighted the project's role in positioning Dubai Silicon Oasis as a hub for education and digital innovation.
RIT Dubai President Dr. Yousef Al Assaf noted the expansion will meet rising demand for future-focused programmes in fields like AI, data science, and ESG sustainability. Since its founding in 2008, RIT Dubai has become a key academic institution in the region, offering American-accredited degrees with global learning opportunities.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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