Iskan, Sezad to build integrated academic city in Oman


Iskan Oman Investment Company has joined hands with the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) to develop an integrated academic city over a one million sq m area featuring higher education colleges.

Iskan Oman Investment Company has joined hands with the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad) to develop an integrated academic city over a one million sq m area featuring higher education colleges.
 
Iskan Oman Investment Company is one of the leading companies in the sultanate with interests in key sectors such as education, real estate and infrastructure, and also has a diversified base of shareholders from Oman and Kuwait.
 
The masterplanning of the area, which will also include commercial, residential and hospitality zones, was completed by Iskan Investment and approved by Sezad.
 
As part of the first phase of the development, Iskan has entered into a sub-usufruct agreement with Middle East Education Venture (MEEV) to develop a portion of land for setting up a higher education college in Sezad area.
 
The new college will be the core of the university city project that Iskan Oman is planning to establish in a phased manner in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm. It will launch its first programme in the academic year 2021-2022.
 
The higher education college is the second investment for Iskan Investment at SEZD as it developed previously a healthcare facility that has been operational since 2017.
 
Sheikh Ahmed bin Sultan Al Yaqoubi, Vice Chairman of Iskan Investment Board of Directors, dubbed it as one of the company's priorities, and said it was a perfect example for Iskan's 'responsible investment.'
 
Iskan Investment was formed in 2008 with pension funds and corporations from Oman and Kuwait shareholders. Since its inauguration, Iskan Investment invested in establishing and developing a number of schools, real estate and healthcare facilities.
 
Dr Abdullah AL Sabahi, Chairman of MEEV, envisages working closely with the Ministry of higher Education, the Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad), and Iskan Investment to implement the proposed college in line with Oman’s 2040  Vision strategy.
 
"We are keen on establishing centres for competence, a centre for marine science and a centre for logistics and renewable energy," he stated. 
 
"The purpose of these centres is to promote research commercialization, build capacity and bring solutions to the social and industrial requirements," he added.-TradeArabia News Service