Zayed City Schools inaugurates three campuses for over 5,000 students
The newly inaugurated educational facilities represent the first time that school infrastructure has been developed in the UAE under a PPP model
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and led by Plenary Group and BESIX Group, inaugurated three schools in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed City. Completed on schedule and within budget, the project has significantly enhanced Abu Dhabi’s educational landscape by ensuring additional capacity for 5,360 students, from kindergarten to Grade 12, for the 2024-2025 academic year and beyond, said a statement.
The newly inaugurated educational facilities represent the first time that school infrastructure has been developed in the UAE under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. ADEK’s role was to ensure the project met the standards of design, material and equipment selection. Through the active coordination of various entities, the project was delivered successfully, in line with operational expectations.
As the first educational facilities delivered through ADIO’s PPP framework, the project aims to elevate the standard of educational facilities in the emirate and serve as a model for increased private sector participation in the delivery and financing of public infrastructure across Abu Dhabi.
Yaser Al Nuaimi, Acting Head – Infrastructure Partnerships at ADIO said, “The Zayed City Schools project exemplifies the transformative power of public-private partnerships in realising Abu Dhabi’s future-focused infrastructure development. By leveraging private sector expertise in design, construction, and financing, we’ve created world-class educational facilities equipped to empower students with the learning spaces they need to reach their highest potential. This success paves the way for further collaboration, offering our private sector partners unprecedented opportunities to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s sustainable growth while capitalising on long-term investment returns.”
Dr. Tareq Al Ameri, Assets and Facilities Office Director at ADEK stated, “The inauguration of Zayed City Schools marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide world-class education in Abu Dhabi. This project not only empowers more students to access quality education, but also highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in realising Abu Dhabi’s ambitious educational goals. We remain committed to this journey, ensuring that every student in the Emirate has the opportunity to learn and succeed in an environment that fosters innovation and excellence.”
“As a key partner in the Zayed City Schools project consortium, BESIX/Plenary is proud to contribute to a project that embodies a visionary approach to infrastructure development. This strategic collaboration leverages the strengths of all partners to set new benchmarks, highlighting the transformative impact of uniting powerful government and private entities to drive innovation and development,” explained Mohamed Badr El Din, General Manager at BESIX Plenary Education Properties Development (BESIX Plenary Consortium).
“The Zayed City Schools PPP project stands as a testament to the true spirit and success of public-private partnerships. This achievement, delivered on time and within budget, marks the beginning of a long-term relationship that will extend throughout the operation phase. It showcases the power of strong collaboration between the public and private sectors in shaping a brighter future. By merging public interests with private sector innovation, we are creating sustainable solutions that meet the needs of future generations and inspire new hope,” El Din added.
This initiative aims to increase private sector participation and foreign direct investment, enhance accountability and efficiency in public asset management, develop long-term collaborations between government and private entities, and provide investors with access to lucrative concessions.
BESIX and Plenary are the private sector partners in the Zayed City Schools PPP Project. Plenary is an independent investor, developer, and manager of public infrastructure, with over US $56bn in public-private partnerships, local development, and asset management, delivering infrastructure. Building on this success, ADIO is advancing other PPP opportunities, including the development of student accommodation facilities in partnership with Khalifa University of Science and Technology.
