Gulf Construction Online - Heriot-Watt University deal for Khansaheb

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Heriot-Watt’s new campus ... set to open mid-2021.

Heriot-Watt University deal for Khansaheb

01 July 2020

Heriot-Watt University, the first British institution to set up a campus in Dubai, has awarded the interior fit-out contract for its new campus to leading UAE construction group Khansaheb Civil Engineering.

The tender process, which followed public procurement guidelines, started in mid-2019 with the contract having been finalised and awarded in May.

Heriot–Watt University Dubai was assisted and advised by global real estate expert, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), which has been signed up as the project manager.

On the project, Ammar Kaka, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University says: “Last year, we announced our intention to move to a new and enhanced campus in Dubai Knowledge Park. The new campus is scheduled to open in January 2021, and we are pleased to announce the appointment of Khansaheb who will work with us to deliver our vision of student experience.”

Khansaheb Civil Engineering Group GM Steve Flint says: “The contract win is testament to the expertise that exists within our team and our excellent track record in delivering such challenging and important facilities in the UAE. We have been delivering projects in the UAE since 1935.”

As per the deal, Khansaheb will deliver internal fit-out, MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) installation, joinery products and metal work for Heriot-Watt’s new campus. All deliverables will be benchmarked against stringent performance indicators covering health and safety, quality assurance and on-time completion aspects.

“It will once again allow us to demonstrate our capabilities on a landmark project where the highest standards of safety, quality and overall customer satisfaction are required.”

Heriot-Watt says the unique features in its new campus include a dedicated student hub, social learning spaces, an engaging library with study skills spaces and provision of a Maths gym for Maths support, and a central student services centre for students administration.

Classrooms are being designed to be more interactive: rather than traditional lecture theatres there will be two collaborative lecture theatres supporting small group work as well as whole class teaching.

It will also include an in-house recording studio in order to enable and encourage the creation of digital materials in line with Heriot–Watt’s vision of offering a world-class interactive learning experience, it states.