UOWD’s Campus of the Future Builds on UAE’s Vision to Become a Knowledge Based Economy and the Future of Higher Education

Friday, 04 February, 2022

• Official inauguration of UOWD’s Campus of the Future showcases world-class Australian education in the UAE
• HE Malek Al Malek, Group CEO of TECOM Group, HE General the Honorable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Prof Patricia Davidson, Vice Chancellor and President, UOW among key names highlighting how the Campus of the Future will provide an innovative future for education

University of Wollongong in Dubai‘s (UOWD)’s Campus of the Future has been highlighted as a historic milestone in preparing the UAE education sector towards a knowledge based economy and demonstrating a innovative future of learning for students.

The Campus of the Future was officially inaugurated in Dubai Knowledge Park during a tour comprising distinguished guests from TECOM Group, University of Wollongong, Australia, the Australia Commonwealth and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).

During the campus tour, the guests interacted with students and were shown some of the key elements of the facility such as its cutting-edge technologies, architectural design and infrastructure that supports blended learning.

Prof Mohamed Salem, UOWD President, marked the ‘Campus of the Future’ inauguration with a welcome speech and presented a video highlighting the university’s 28-year history of growth.

Prof Mohamed Salem said: “This is an historic moment for UOWD and we would like to honour all of our partners in making our Campus of the Future a reality."

“Our Campus of the Future will enable us to keep up with the pace of Dubai’s ambitious growth plans and we feel very privileged to give our partners and senior executives a taste of future education.”

HE General the Honorable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, was among the notable speakers for the event who reflected on the University of Wollongong’s history and its international progress.

“As somebody who grew up in Wollongong, I would have never thought that I would be standing here opening a campus in Dubai. This is a vision and it’s a magnificent building.

“As an Australian, our ethos is about growing relationships to learn and grow together. I want to congratulate UOWD for establishing partnerships with the leadership of the UAE and I wish all the academics and students every success for the future.”

Another senior executive speaking at the event was Ms Marisa Mastroianni, Group CEO and Managing Director, UOW Global Enterprises, who paid tribute to the people behind the scenes in creating the ‘Campus of the Future’.

“To say that I’m excited to attend the inauguration is an understatement – this facility has been five years in the making and this campus is not just any building, it’s a building that delivers world-class Australian education for the region.

“I would like to acknowledge those responsible in creating the building such as the engineers and architects, as well as HE Malek Al Malek for his unwavering support.”

HE Malek Al Malek, Group CEO of TECOM Group, who also participated at the in-person inauguration said: “Dubai continues consolidating its position as a global hub for business and innovation, and enabling human capital further drives economic diversification, digital transformation and entrepreneurship.

“Our group has always been committed to realising our leadership’s ambitions with industry-focused ecosystems that deliver the highest quality of life and business environment. Empowering talent is at the heart of our activities, and our academic clusters, Dubai Knowledge Park and Dubai International Academic City, are enhancing the emirate’s position as an attractive destination for higher education.

“The University of Wollongong Dubai has been an unwavering partner of our community for more than two decades and has played an important role in the city’s journey. We are delighted by the opening of their futuristic campus which signals a new chapter in our evolving relationship and Dubai’s academic excellence.”

Ms Marisa Mastroianni, Group CEO and Managing Director, UOW Global Enterprises, who also conducted a speech and paid tribute to the people behind the scenes in creating the ‘Campus of the Future’.

“To say that I’m excited to attend the inauguration is an understatement – this facility has been five years in the making and this campus is not just any building, it’s a building that delivers world-class Australian education for the region.

“I would like to acknowledge those responsible in creating the building such as the engineers and architects, as well as HE Malek Al Malek for his unwavering support.”

The speeches were closed by Prof Patricia Davidson, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Wollongong Australia, who shared how the ‘Campus of the Future’ will offer a meaningful and significant impact for students.
 
“Education is a transformative force for humanity and this new campus represents the future of learning and collaboration. Wollongong will be set out as a benchmark for new universities. We want to be contemporary and make a difference to the world.

“Sustainability is a key part of the new campus and we embed UN Sustainable goals in everything that we do, with renewable energies also among the main focuses for our university. It’s great to be in an aspirational and inspiration environment.”

Their Excellencies General the Honorable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda Hurley, along with Prof Patricia Davidson, HE Malek Al Malek, Ms Marisa Mastroianni, Group CEO and Managing Director, UOW Global Enterprises, Prof Mohamed Salem, HE Ms Heidi Venamore PSM, Australian Ambassador to the UAE, Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of KHDA, Prof David Currow, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of UOW and HE Ian Halliday, Australian Consul General Dubai & General Manager Trade & Investment Middle East, Africa & Turkey closed the event by being part of the unveiling of the plaque signifying the inauguration of the ‘Campus of the Future’.