HCT signs deal for Innovation City

The Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) signed an agreement with architectural firm Studio Daniel Libeskind and Siemens, to collaborate on the design and built of an academic and technological hub. The project will be the future home to Abu Dhabi Men's College, CERT, and HCT's Central Services division.

Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the parties will work together to create the design for the HCT Innovation City, which will bring together the most up-to-date technologies that incorporate sustainable development principles.

The design will allow the Abu Dhabi Men's College (ADMC) to cater for a projected 5,000 students by 2014. The campus, which was one of the first HCT sites, was originally designed to house 800 students.

There are currently 3,000 students at ADMC, who are accommodated by way of the original temporary classrooms and facilities.

The parties will also use the design process as a learning tool for HCT students where the technologies, materials and methods employed in the design and construction of HCT Innovation City will be used for learning and research purposes.

The existing programme disciplines of general education, business, information technology, aviation, engineering and communications will be housed in the four-storey facilities on the campus.

Daniel Libeskind is an international architect whose Studio Daniel Libeskind (SDL) won the World Trade Centre design competition in February 2003 and as a result its headquarters were moved from Berlin to New York City.

"We are honoured to have the opportunity to make a cultural and educational contribution to such a great institution as the Higher Colleges of Technology. Its form, inspired by the flight of the Falcon, symbolises the original spirit of the country and will become a cultural landmark in Abu Dhabi," said Daniel Libeskind.

Siemens, as the technology partner of choice, will contribute with solutions that add more value and efficiency in buildings through sustainable technology by integrating sub-systems of latest technologies such as building automation and security systems, smart grid, students and faculty processes, e-Learning, connectivity, and potential green energy generation.

In fiscal 2009, the company saw sales of €23 million (Dh104.1m) from its environmentally friendly products and technologies – nearly one-third of its total annual revenue of €76.7 billion.

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