ADIO awards contract for student accommodation facilities
This project is the largest student accommodation project in the GCC region to be developed under a public-private partnership model
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) awarded KUnnected Living – a multinational consortium led by Plenary Group, BESIX, and Mazrui International, a project to develop student accommodation facilities in Abu Dhabi. The project has reached commercial close and will support local suppliers and manufacturers by drawing local content and products from the national supply chain for the purposes of development and operation.
The project is the largest student accommodation project in the GCC region to be developed under a public-private partnership model, and includes a 23-year concession to design, build, finance and maintain 3,260 student rooms and communal facilities located across Khalifa University’s Main Campus and its Sas Al Nakhl (SAN) Campus.
The project is being implemented through Abu Dhabi’s Public Private Partnership Programme, which seeks to expand the role of the private sector in delivering major public sector infrastructure and services. ADIO is the central Abu Dhabi government authority responsible for the facilitation, development and procurement of all infrastructure projects delivered through this PPP framework.
Yaser Al Nuaimi, Acting Head – Infrastructure Partnerships at ADIO said, “In Abu Dhabi, we are committed to ensuring that the private sector can play a significant role in strategic infrastructure projects that will create impact and value across the emirate. The Khalifa University Accommodation project is a leading example of this; it demonstrates efficient PPP delivery through an effective commercial partnership that supports the development of premier facilities for students choosing to pursue their studies and research in our top-ranked educational facilities.”
Dr. Ebrahim Al-Hajri, President of Khalifa University added, “We are delighted to collaborate with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to award the Student Accommodation public-private partnership contract to the consortium comprising BESIX, Plenary Group, and Mazrui International. This initiative is part of our strategy to provide improved campus facilities and accommodation for an enhanced student living experience, and it seeks to enhance our reputation as one of the leading universities in the region with high quality infrastructure megaprojects in the education sector.”
David Lamming, CEO at Plenary Group noted, “The KUnnected Living consortium is honoured to be selected to deliver the largest on-campus student accommodation developments in the GCC region. We commend the Abu Dhabi Government on its impressive, continued program of infrastructure development and look forward to working in partnership with ADIO and Khalifa University of Science and Technology to deliver this world-class integrated precinct.”
The project underpins Khalifa University’s commitment to provide accommodation solutions that promote a vibrant on-campus student living experience, alongside a social environment for local and international students alike. Designed to meet practices with the new facilities will offer technology-enabled ensuite rooms for undergraduates and ensuite studios for post-graduate students, as well as expansive communal spaces that include support services, central study areas, and commercial and retail areas.
