The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) and a multinational consortium led by Plenary Group and BESIX Group, has opened three cutting-edge schools in Zayed City, Abu Dhabi. These newly launched educational institutions mark the first instance of school infrastructure being developed in the UAE through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Completed on time and within budget, the project has greatly strengthened Abu Dhabi's education sector by providing additional capacity for 5,360 students, from kindergarten to Grade 12, for the 2024-2025 academic year and beyond. ADEK was key to the project's success, ensuring that it adhered to the highest standards in design, as well as in the selection of materials and equipment.
As the first educational institution developed through ADIO's PPP procurement framework, the Zayed City Schools project is designed to raise the bar for educational facilities in the Emirate. It also aims to set a precedent for greater private sector involvement in the delivery and financing of public infrastructure throughout 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 realizing 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 capitalizing on long-term investment returns”.
The three newly opened schools in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed City cover a total area of 81,000 square meters. Built to comply with stringent Estidama sustainability standards, these campuses are equipped with advanced technologies and feature learning environments designed to foster creativity, setting a new standard for educational facilities in the region.
Dr. Tareq Al Ameri, Assets and Facilities Office Director at ADEK, said, “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 realizing 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”.
The successful completion of the Zayed City Schools highlights ADIO's dedication to expanding its PPP program and showcases Abu Dhabi's forward-thinking approach to infrastructure development. This initiative seeks to boost private sector involvement and attract foreign direct investment, improve accountability and efficiency in managing public assets, foster long-term partnerships between government and private entities, and offer investors access to valuable concessions.
The successful completion of the Zayed City Schools highlights ADIO's dedication to expanding its PPP program and showcases Abu Dhabi's forward-thinking approach to infrastructure development. This initiative seeks to boost private sector involvement and attract foreign direct investment, improve accountability and efficiency in managing public assets, foster long-term partnerships between government and private entities, and offer investors access to valuable concessions.
