Plan for three state-of-the-art new school campuses in Abu Dhabi to follow in footsteps of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, Khalifa Tower and Ferrari World as Capital Thinks Big in Next Steps for Education

Three new state-of-the-art school campuses with a capacity of 5,360 students are set to be built in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed City and open in 2024, it was announced this Tuesday 24 May 2022.

The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), has awarded the contract for the Zayed City Schools public-private partnership (PPP) project to a consortium led by Belgian construction group BESIX and Australian infrastructure investment business Plenary Group.

A public-private partnership (PPP) Project is defined as:

“a funding model for public infrastructure projects and initiatives such as a new telecommunications system, public transportation system, airport or power plant.

Government agencies represent the public partner at a local, state and/or national level.”

BESIX has been active in the UAE since 1966 and is best known for its being awarded some of the capital’s most important infrastructure projects including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi designed by Frank Gehry, due to be completed in 2025. 

An architectural render of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi opening in the capital in 2025.

Through its subsidiary Six Connect, BESIX has been integral to other landmark projects including the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi theme park, the Dubai Tram, the Dubai Water Canal as well as major terminals and port facilities.

Australian PPP specialist Plenary Group has a solid track record of delivering projects across the world and will be a new entrant to Abu Dhabi. 

Together, the consortium is said to have submitted an innovative, world-class delivery solution for ADEK’s Zayed City schools.

This new, ground-breaking PPP education project, is a first-of-its-kind in the UAE, and paves the way for increased private sector participation in delivering public infrastructure

What is the Zayed City Schools PPP Project?

The Zayed City Schools PPP project includes the design, build, finance, maintenance and transfer of three new school campuses with a capacity of 5,360 students in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed City.

As a pathfinder project developed from origination to award under Abu Dhabi’s new PPP regulatory framework, it will pave the way for increased private sector participation in delivering public infrastructure.

Who will be the education provider at the schools?

The education services at each campus will be provided separately by a private sector Chartered School Operator (CSO), which will be selected under ADEK’s CSO PPP programme. This unique, integrated PPP solution will be a first in the MENA region and aims to maximise operational efficiencies by bringing together high calibre education and building service providers under a single PPP project framework.

Will the schools be sustainable – and what is the purpose?

The campuses have been designed to meet all modern sustainability requirements and ensure COVID-19 resilience in terms of spatial layout and use. The campuses will provide students access to high-quality learning environments and modern facilities, enhancing the attractiveness of Zayed City and Abu Dhabi.

“We focus our efforts on enhancing education sector infrastructure to cater for students and parents throughout Abu Dhabi regions,” said Dr Tareq Al Ameri, Executive Director Licensing Sector at ADEK. “With its world-class standards, the three new schools will empower more students to access quality education opportunities, to learn and thrive in healthy and safe environment.”

What next?

The tender process attracted international developers and investors. The transaction is expected to reach Financial Close in July 2022, with the scheduled term start date for all three campuses in September 2024.

The project is part of ADIO’s PPP programme, which aims to ratchet up private sector participation and investment in delivering public infrastructure in a wealth of future major projects yet to be announced.

What we do know, however, is that, In addition to PPP opportunities, ADIO’s infrastructure partnership programme has oversight of projects delivered through Musataha agreements, which are long-term land lease agreements that enable the private sector to unlock the potential of public land in Abu Dhabi.

Watch this space!

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