ADU’s engineering students build practical skills during site visit to the new Al Ain campus

In an effort to encourage practical work experience, Abu Dhabi University (ADU) organized visits to the new Al Ain campus construction site for civil engineering students and members of the ADU community from other Colleges.

The aim of the technical visits was to provide the students with first-hand experience in working on-site and provide insight into the new campus’s state-of-the-art facilities. The exercise also bridged the gap between theoretical engineering concepts taught during lectures and applying these notions in real life. Furthermore, the other site visits were conducted for students from different colleges to note the progress of the Al Ain campus.

Commenting on the visit, Dr. Mohamed Fteiha, Interim Director of the Al Ain campus, said, “These technical visits to our new Al Ain campus were designed to provide our students with a preview of the design of the new facilities. This is a sample of the hands-on experience we offer in our community, in line with the UAE’s National Development Strategy of nurturing a knowledge-based economy.”

Dr. Abdulkareem Alzoubi, Associate Professor and Coordinator in the College of Engineering, led a guided tour for the engineering students and separate tours were also conducted for the visitors from different fields of study as part of the University’s holistic learning experience.

Dr. Fteiha continued, “By giving our civil engineering students the opportunity to observe the development of the campus before completion, they are better able to comprehend the stages of an engineering project. In becoming directly involved in the critical phases of the project, we are guiding them on their journey with us to gain the necessary soft skills that will benefit them during their professional careers.”

During the visits, students were exposed to intricate structural details and the process behind the reinforcement of the second-floor slabs. They also had the opportunity to ask questions and understand the complex process behind the architecture and design of the new facility. 

Two ADU graduates took on the role of consulting and contracting engineers during the tour and helped guide the students while showcasing key elements of the new campus. Discussions included important architectural concepts such as the post-tension steel strands, columns, and beams. The conversations were enriched by in-depth explanations regarding the integral aspects of design and construction processes of various structural elements.

ADU’s College of Engineering is the largest engineering college in the UAE. It offers a range of engineering and technology programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with new and innovative programs being introduced on an ongoing basis. 

With facilities occupying over 28,000 square meters during the first phase, the new campus will include more than 70 lecture halls and laboratories, with 137 offices for staff and faculty, and state-of-the-art scientific equipment that meets international quality standards. It will accommodate 2,500 students during its first phase with a total capacity of 5,000 students.