Seven groups of international and local consultants submitted bids by the early-April deadline. They are Lebanon's Khatib & Alami; HOK of the US, with Shankland Coxof the UK; Sasaki of the US, with the local Al-Burj; NBBJ Sports & Entertainment Partnership of the US; WS Atkins Internationaland RMJM, both of the UK;and Canada's Norr Group Consultants International.

Estimated to cost AED 200 million ($54 million), the project will include the construction of colleges of arts and sciences, business management, home sciences, telecommunications and IT. The project will also include the construction of administration buildings, a gymnasium, a swimming pool - to be built to Olympic standards - a multi-purpose hall, a cafeteria, a car park, and landscaping works.

The new campus will be built over an area of about 100,000 square metres and provide facilities for a total of 15,000 students. It will be located at Ruwia on the Dubai-Al-Ain highway. The construction period will be 22-24 months.