Atkins invests in sustainable design - 31 October 2008
Atkins today strengthened its investment into researching sustainable design after extending its sponsorship of the British University in Dubai’s (BUiD) Sustainable Design and Built Environment course.
As part of the three-year agreement, Atkins will provide both financial and academic support, working closely with BUiD students and the faculty to encourage practical, industry-based research. The relationship between Atkins and BUiD was established in September 2005 and to date has seen more than 50 students enrolling on the course.
The tie-up has also played an important role in improving sustainable design skills and understanding within Atkins. A recent joint research project involved installing a solar photovoltaic test facility on the roof of Atkins’ Dubai office in order to test the performance of different technologies specifically for local conditions.
The new agreement will see Atkins provide research subjects of importance to the sustainable development and design industry, which can then be addressed as dissertation topics by BUiD’s students. Atkins will also provide technical and practical experience in these research areas, along with expert assistance from its offices to help students collect relevant data.
Atkins chief executive, Keith Clarke, and managing director for Middle East & India, Tim Askew, joined his Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who is the Chairman of Emirates Airlines and Chancellor of the British University in Dubai, at the signing of the sponsorship agreement.
Keith Clarke said: “Working closely with the British University in Dubai is incredibly important to us, enabling closer ties between higher education and the construction industry.
“Investing in a sustainable future through education is absolutely vital. This agreement will enable us to continue our pioneering role in research and development, ensuring engineers and architects can respond to the challenges of a carbon critical world.”
The agreement also helps promote the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) vision of developing a knowledge-based economy.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “We are pleased to jointly work with prestigious international organisations like Atkins, who are leaders in sustainable design innovation and independent research. Support of this nature strengthens the link between academia and industry practice and re-emphasises the potential advantages of independent studies to the region in the longer term.”
The British University in Dubai (BUiD), the region’s first research-based postgraduate university, offers specialised MSc programs across several fields of academia. The university’s four faculties are partnered with leading universities in the UK and offer students in the UAE the opportunity to pursue world-class higher education along with independent research opportunities.
“The financial assistance will definitely be advantageous to prospective students, however the long term advantage will come from the knowledge and information they receive from interacting with industry experts at Atkins,” added Dr. Abdulla Al Shamsi, Vice Chancellor at BUiD.
ENDS
For more information:
Ben Thompson
Head of PR Tel: +44 (0)1372 752154
ben.thompson@atkinsglobal.com
Notes to editors:
Atkins (www.atkinsglobal.com) is a multinational engineering and design consultancy, providing expertise to help resolve complex challenges presented by the built and natural environment. Atkins is the largest multidisciplinary consultancy in Europe, the largest engineering consultancy in both the UK and the Middle East, and the UK's second largest architecture firm.
Atkins won Engineering Consultant of the Year 2008 at the prestigious Building Awards. The company was named among the “20 Best Big Companies to Work For 2008’ by The Sunday Times; The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2008; and The Times Top 50 Companies Where Women Want to Work 2008. The company was construction sector winner for the third consecutive year in the Target National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2008.