Agricultural fair, forum to attract participants from 45 countries
The University of Birmingham’s iconic new campus in Dubai has been shortlisted for the prestigious Prix Versailles 2022 global architecture and design award.
Airports, college campuses, passenger stations and major sporting facilities around the world are vying for the award, with six nominees chosen in each category. The University of Birmingham Dubai is shortlisted alongside the following campuses:
• Paris-Saclay Normal School – Gif-sur-Yvette, France
• Paris Institute of Political Studies, 1 Saint-Thomas – Paris, France
• London School of Economics and Political Science, Marshall Building – London, UK
• University of Leeds, Sir William Henry Bragg building – Leeds, United Kingdom
• Stanford University, Center for Academic Medicine – Palo Alto, CA, USA
The global jury will make its decision based on innovation, creativity, reflection of local heritage, ecological efficiency and sustainable development.
Designed by Hopkins Architects and built by Khansaheb, the buildings overlook parks and natural areas. (Provided)
The announcement of the world titles will take place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris later this year.
Professor David Sadler, Rector of the University of Birmingham in Dubai, said: “We are very proud of our iconic campus. I am delighted that this building, designed and built to provide the experience every student needs to develop and grow, has been selected for such a prestigious award as the Prix Versailles.
“Sustainability is important to us and we are working hard with our partner Siemens to make our Dubai and Birmingham campuses as sustainable as possible. Our building is designed to be accessible to all – open to the local community for events and opportunities that will enrich the lives of Dubai residents.
The campus was inaugurated in April in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. The new campus, located in Dubai International University City, marks the next step in the University of Birmingham’s long-term commitment to supporting Dubai’s position as a regional hub for world-class higher education , cultivate talent and improve academic excellence in the United Arab Emirates.
The campus can currently accommodate up to 2,900 students and will eventually accommodate up to 4,500 students.
Designed by Hopkins Architects and built by Khansaheb, the buildings overlook parks and natural areas.
They reflect the ‘green heart’ of the University of Birmingham campus, providing the student community with a full on-campus university experience. The sheltered classes and social spaces aim to improve the sustainability of the campus while providing students and staff with a relaxing environment in keeping with Dubai’s distinctive climate.
University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor and Senior Professor Adam Tickell said: “It is a great honor to be shortlisted for the Versailles Prize, which recognizes the hard work of people at the University of Birmingham and of our partners to create a learning and research environment that is innovative, inspiring and sustainable.
“Thanks to the support of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, TECOM Group, DIAC and all our partners in the region, we now have a wonderful university house which offers students from the United Arab Emirates and beyond excellent facilities and a first-class education.”
The university’s partnership with Siemens combines digital sensor and analytics technologies, artificial intelligence and decentralized power generation, transforming the Dubai campus into a “living laboratory” where research, teaching and learning all benefit from access to new data and connectivity.
