Abu Dhabi- In a strategic move to enhance the educational infrastructure in the capital, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Khalifa University have collaborated to introduce a pioneering public-private partnership (PPP) tender. The objective is to deliver accommodation and associated facilities for 3,250 students, a significant step in Abu Dhabi’s commitment to increasing private sector involvement in key infrastructure projects.
Khalifa University, a prominent institution in the UAE with a global ranking of 181st according to the QS World University Rankings 2023, stands to benefit from this partnership. The PPP project seamlessly aligns with the university’s ten-year strategic growth plan, concentrating on improving its built estate and fostering an engaging on-campus student living experience.
Dr. Ebrahim Al Hajri, Khalifa University’s Senior Vice President for Support Services, conveyed the university’s gratitude for the collaboration with ADIO, anticipating substantial enhancements to the offerings for students. The partnership aims to bring students and researchers closer to the campuses, contributing to an enriched student life and experience at Khalifa University.
ADIO, serving as the central Abu Dhabi government authority responsible for facilitating, developing, and procuring infrastructure projects, has a proven track record of successful PPP delivery. Notably, in 2022, several major PPP projects, including the Zayed City Schools and Phase 2 of Abu Dhabi’s energy-efficient Road Lighting LED project, achieved successful tenders.
Eng. Abdulla Abdul Aziz AlShamsi, Acting Director General of ADIO, emphasized Abu Dhabi’s commitment to creating new opportunities for companies by increasing private sector participation in key infrastructure projects. The Khalifa University Accommodation PPP tender represents the next step in the government’s strategy to establish efficient and effective commercial partnerships, ensuring sustainable, long-term value for all stakeholders.
The PPP tender, covering the Main and Sas Al Nakhl campuses, includes the design, build, finance, maintenance, and transfer of accommodation across the two locations. The project will be executed by a special purpose vehicle 100% owned by the successful bidder, ensuring a focused and streamlined approach to project implementation.
The tender process adheres to Abu Dhabi’s PPP Law, in conjunction with ADIO’s Partnership Projects Guidebook and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Policy. All PPP tenders in Abu Dhabi undergo a competitive, transparent, and efficient evaluation process, ensuring fairness and adherence to regulatory frameworks.
Following the Request for Qualification (RFQ) process, ADIO has concluded its evaluation of bids and pre-qualified several companies for the subsequent stage of the procurement process. Pre-qualified bidders, including Vision International Investment Company and Aldar Properties (Consortium), N.V. Besix S.A., Plenary Group Holdings Pty Ltd, Aberdeen Investcorp Infrastructure Investments Manager Limited, Tamasuk Holding Company, and Alghanim International General Trading and Contracting Co. WLL, are invited to participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage.
Khalifa University, established in 2007 by a decree issued by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, accommodates over 5,000 students and offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs in science, engineering, and medicine. The university is home to three colleges, three research institutes, 18 research centers, and 36 departments, solidifying its position as a hub for cutting-edge research and education.
The ambitious project is anticipated to be completed in two phases. The initial phase, involving the construction of buildings on the Sas Al Nakhl campus and the main campus, is scheduled for completion by August 2026. The subsequent phase, incorporating additional buildings on the Sas Al Nakhl campus, is expected to conclude by August 2027.
As Abu Dhabi continues to progress toward its vision for a knowledge-based economy, the collaboration between ADIO and Khalifa University serves as evidence of the emirate’s commitment to providing world-class education and facilities for its students. The success of this PPP venture is poised to set a precedent for future collaborations, reinforcing the emirate’s standing as a hub for innovation and educational excellence.
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