Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT – US), one of the world’s leading universities, will establish a campus at the Dubai Silicon Oasis under a deal signed today.

Dr William W Destler, president of RIT, signed the agreement on behalf of the US-based private university of higher education while Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, represented DSO.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The agreement establishes RIT Dubai as a world-class university with an unwavering commitment to academic excellence. The university will open in August 2008.

Dubai Silicon Oasis has allocated around 3 million sq ft of land for the development of a fully fledged Academic Complex comprising the university campus, an academic centre, dormitory, and recreational facilities for students and the faculty. Furthermore, RIT will provide academic content, oversee the management of the university, and provide its internationally recognized and certified degrees.

The development of RIT Dubai will be undertaken in two phases; the first will offer Masters Degrees at the DSOA Headquarters, while the second will offer Bachelors degrees within the university campus in the Silicon Oasis.

Commenting on this initiative, Sheikh Ahmed said: “The region is rapidly advancing towards a knowledge-based economy and affiliations with reputed international academic institutions will considerably benefit the UAE. As our fast developing economy gears up to face more challenges, the fundamental role of technology in every sector assumes greater significance.

“RIT’s presence in the hi-tech park in Dubai will significantly add to the strength and diversity of Dubai’s higher educational sector, while facilitating the creation of a skilled pool of talented professionals, especially within the field of technology.”

Located within the DSO premises, RIT Dubai will initially cater to full-time employees looking to pursue their master degree. Students will be able to concentrate their studies on various disciplines within the fields of: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Networking Security and Systems Administration, Human Resource Development, Finance, Project Management, Computer Information Assurance, and Service Leadership and Innovation. University officials anticipate that graduate degree programs to increase by 2009 to include computer engineering, telecommunications, facilities management, and manufacturing management and leadership. Furthermore, RIT Dubai is expected to offer undergraduate programs, over the course of the coming years, to full-time students in a variety of fields similar to those being offered at the graduate level. 

Dr Mohammed Al Zarouni, vice chairman and CEO of DSOA, said: “We are delighted to sign this agreement with RIT, especially with education being a core aspect of our value proposition. DSO is confident that RIT Dubai will directly contribute towards creating next generation professionals equipped with the skills to meet stringent industry demands. This will definitely contribute to the emirate’s objective to grow into a full-fledged knowledge-based economy by 2015, as envisioned in the Dubai Strategic Plan.”

Dr Destler said: “Dubai is the perfect fit for RIT, given the university’s strategic plan to enhance global opportunities for our students. The proximity will also strengthen RIT’s relationship and reputation among multi-national corporations by providing them with a competent workforce that is already exposed to operating in a multi-cultural environment.”

Dr Mustafa A.G. Abushagur, president/dean of RIT Dubai, said: “This is a great opportunity for RIT and DSOA to partner in creating a world-class university in the UAE. RIT Dubai will become a beacon of higher education that attracts top stude