Astad, the project management arm of Qatar Petroleum (QP), has awarded Cyprus-based Joannou & Paraskevaides (J&P Overseas) an estimated QR1bn ($274m) contract to build student accommodation facilities at Education City, on the outskirts of Doha.

The work will involve the construction of seven buildings, which will include student halls, apartments and recreational facilities.

Lebanon’s Man Enterprises has completed the enabling works and J&P is already on site.

Astad has also invited contractors to bid for two construction projects in Education City. The bid deadline for both of the projects is 3 October.

The first tender is for the contract to build the estimated $80-100m College of Media and Communication building, which will be affiliated to the Northwestern University. The 3-storey university building will have a built up area of 25,000 square metres (sq m).

The building was designed by Antoine Predock and the executive architect for the project is Burns & McDonnell.

The project is expected to take 20 months to complete.

Astad has also invited contractors to submit bids for the estimated QR800m contract to build the North East underground car park.

The underground car park will have two levels, which will cover a total area of approximately 94,000 sq m.

There are believed to be about 16 groups considering submitting bids for the project.

Astad is managing the projects on behalf of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Social Development (QF). QF is currently tendering a number of large construction contracts for its Education City development.

The client has set a submission date of 17 October for the contract to build the estimated QR1bn Qatar Foundation headquarters building. In the past few months QF has also received bids for contracts to build the estimated QR1bn new Qatar Central Library and the estimated QR850m Faculty of Islamic Studies (MEED 26:9:10).