The development will offer 1,720 multi-sized, fully furnished rooms for students in Dubai International Academic City (DIAC). It is 90 per cent complete and set to welcome students in time for the new academic year starting in September.

Located within walking distance of the majority of universities in DIAC, the rooms, which can accommodate up to 2,200 students, include en-suite bathrooms, WiFi and access to kitchens. Other features include a study lounge area, indoor and outdoor gym, swimming pools, basketball court and outdoor jogging track. Additionally, restaurants, cafes, gaming rooms, an outdoor amphitheatre with cinema and convenience shopping options along with dedicated parking will form integral parts of the development and offer students “a holistic, communal living experience”.

Myriad Dubai was originally expected to open its doors to students from both the GCC region and beyond, but is now set to welcome an influx of those who are reconsidering the location for their higher education, opting to stay closer to home as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Local universities have reported an increase in applications from UAE-based students.

Chris Taylor, head of recruitment and marketing at the University of Birmingham Dubai said: “Our applications have increased over the last few weeks, certainly more than last year. We have also just received the Ministry of Education licensure for the institution, which naturally makes quite a difference along with our top world 100 ranking. It has always been our priority to ensure students in the Middle East know that they have a quality option here in Dubai, and they don’t need to travel abroad to get the same standard of education. We too are offering a supportive scholarship to support applicants in this period.”

Vikram Rao, CEO of the project’s developer Strategic Housing Group, said: “We are proud to announce 90 per cent completion on this project that we believe will meet the clear shortage of purpose-built student housing in a consistently expanding higher education market in Dubai, especially during these exceptional times where it is more favourable for students to study within the UAE. We are confident that The Myriad Dubai will provide a home from home for local talent who choose to continue their higher education right here in Dubai and we are extremely excited to see our doors open very soon.”