AURAK Launches First Phase of Campus Development Plan

The American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) has announced the initiation of its five-year campus development plan, which will see the campus rejuvenated and the capacity expanded to accommodate a total of 5,000 students.

The first two stages of phase one, which is comprised of a new building for the School of Business and expanded accommodation for students, are already under construction. The two new student dormitories will contain more than 200 housing units, while the ground floors of the buildings will contain shopping amenities such as a supermarkets, bookstores, hairdressers and laundry facilities. The residents of the accommodation will also be served by secure, underground parking. A new mosque shall replace the existing one and will be located on the main street alongside the dormitories. It will serve the local community, as well as university faculty, staff and students.

A new building, which will be named the RAK Bank School of Business after its sponsors who are funding the project, has also been initiated. It will contain 30 faculty offices, 17 lecture halls, a specialized business library and a state-of-the-art financial laboratory for demonstrations and to give students practical experience. The university’s Center for Continuing Education and Community Services will also be housed within the new building, as well as a large multi-purpose hall suitable for conferences, and a coffee shop.

Mr. Tawfiq Abu Hantash, an associate professor of architecture at AURAK and advisor to the president for campus development, estimates that the RAK Bank School of Business and accommodation will be completed by December 2017 and June 2018 respectively.

Two further developments are currently awaiting authorities’ approval: a third floor will be added to the university’s main administrative building and will contain the president’s office, while the Saqr Library in Building A will also be remodeled and expanded.

While these are the university’s immediate plans, it is envisaged that additional buildings will be constructed, including a new student center, a School of Arts and Sciences and a building for the future School of Architecture.

Over the last year AURAK has already witnessed significant development with the School of Engineering’s new building and the university lawn being inaugurated, in addition to improvements made to the infrastructure within the campus. A modern main gate is also in the final stages of construction.