The University of Birmingham Dubai broke ground on the second phase of its 50,000 square metre campus in Dubai International Academic City on Thursday.
The expansion of the campus, from 2,500m sq, includes a new lecture theatre that can seat 300 students and 10 laboratories.
Construction on the new campus, located opposite Dubai’s first purpose-built student housing complex, is expected to be complete by September next year.
The university plans to offer courses not yet available in the UAE including specialisations in business with marketing, clinical psychology and master’s degrees in artificial intelligence and computer science.
The expansion also means the university will be able to take on many more students.
"We can accommodate 1,000 students at this campus at present, and the new campus will be able to accommodate 2,900 by 2023, while we hope to have just over 4,000 students by 2026," said vice chancellor prof Sir David Eastwood.
At present, the university has 200 students and runs 14 bachelors and masters programmes.
"We will have new facilities and the ability to teach larger numbers.
Two thirds of the student body is made up from local residents while the remaining 40 per cent came from overseas. The majority of the international students come from China, North Africa, India and Pakistan.
Ben Bailey, director of campus operations, said students would be able to move between the two universities in Dubai and the UK.
He said five students from the Dubai campus are currently at the Birmingham campus for a year of study abroad. International students in the UK and Dubai pay the same fees.
"We want to start by asking what the important issues for Dubai and the UAE are where we can make a contribution," said Mr Bailey.
"This campus is also a hope through which we want to bring the best of Birmingham to Dubai, so our research efforts will have an impact on the country.”
The university currently offers 14 programmes in business, international commercial law, civil engineering, economics, money, banking and finance, accounting, and psychology.
"We are looking at extending our law school offerings to specialisations in arbitration and dispute, maritime law, aviation industry and law," he said.
The University of Birmingham was the first global top 100 and UK Russell Group university to establish a campus in Dubai in September 2018.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
ECB Hawks v ECB Falcons
Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
The match will be broadcast live on the My Sports Eye Facebook page
Hawks
Coach: Chaitrali Kalgutkar
Squad: Chaya Mughal (captain), Archara Supriya, Chamani Senevirathne, Chathurika Anand, Geethika Jyothis, Indhuja Nandakumar, Kashish Loungani, Khushi Sharma, Khushi Tanwar, Rinitha Rajith, Siddhi Pagarani, Siya Gokhale, Subha Srinivasan, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish
Falcons
Coach: Najeeb Amar
Squad: Kavisha Kumari (captain), Almaseera Jahangir, Annika Shivpuri, Archisha Mukherjee, Judit Cleetus, Ishani Senavirathne, Lavanya Keny, Mahika Gaur, Malavika Unnithan, Rishitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Shashini Kaluarachchi, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Vaishnave Mahesh
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
