University of Birmingham Dubai chooses CDW as technology partner

The UK-based IT services and solutions provider will equip the university’s new Dubai campus with bespoke suite of tools

The brand-new campus of University of Birmingham Dubai, due to open in Autumn 2021, will be a high-quality technology environment following the appointment of CDW as the IT services and solutions provider.

The UK-based CDW will provide equipment and support across the campus after a successful tender process.

Students and staff will be provided with Lenovo laptops and the campus network will support WiFi6. Smart sensors across teaching spaces will map people flows – allowing the most efficient use of the buildings. Students will be able to structure their time on campus through dedicated mobile apps and smart scheduling.

These technologies will combine to provide students and faculty with a seamless suite of tools built bespoke for the University experience by CDW. The infrastructure is also modular by design to allow for future innovation and growth.

“Our new building has been designed as an ‘Intelligent Campus’ – embedded with flexible, cutting-edge technology allowing innovative, multidisciplinary teaching and learning,” said Professor David Sadler, Provost, University of Birmingham Dubai.

“CDW will help us to deliver a flexible and powerful teaching environment in Dubai that students and staff will enjoy. Everyone is eagerly looking forward to moving into our brand-new, bespoke campus building later this year.”

CDW is working with a number of strategic partners in key areas, including Dell Technologies (data centre computing and storage); Lenovo (devices, workstations and laptops); Fortinet (firewall security); Cisco (WAN and LAN – including a true software-defined network); Rubrik (data backup and security); APC for power protection and Infoblox for DNS.

“We look forward to working with the University of Birmingham and our technology partners to provide a truly best-in-class digital experience for students and faculty. Through our technology solutions, we hope to inspire innovation and provide students with the tools and skills they need to excel in the job market of tomorrow,” said Penny Williams, Director of Public Sector Sales at CDW UK.

“We have deep experience in the education sector, and we appreciate the nuances of working in the UAE. Our blend of educational and regional experience will provide this new campus with technological ability to match its ambitions to become a regional and global leader.”

With architecture inspired by the historic Aston Webb buildings on the Birmingham campus, the facilities will use shaded open-air courtyard spaces to create an enjoyable and productive student experience. The buildings will sit next to parkland offering sports pitches and an open-air event space, whilst new student accommodation will be a short walk away

Established by Queen Victoria in 1900 as Great Britain’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions.