Last week, the Khalifa University Student Accommodation PPP was honoured with two major awards at the IJGlobal Awards 2024 for the Middle East and North Africa region: the Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Deal of the Year. The Khalifa University Student Accommodation in Abu Dhabi is the largest student housing PPP in the Middle East, setting a benchmark for student-centric PPPs in the region.
3,260 student rooms for Khalifa University
IJGlobal awarded the public-private partnership project to the KUnnected Living consortium composed of Plenary Group, BESIX Group, and Mazrui International. The 23-year concession covers the design, construction, financing, and maintenance of 3,260 student rooms across Khalifa University’s Main and Sas Al Nakhl campuses. Financial close was achieved in August 2024, with completion scheduled for winter 2026.
Excellence in project finance and infrastructure development
On April 30, 2025, the winners of the IJGlobal Awards were announced. The IJGlobal Awards celebrate excellence in project finance and infrastructure development across the Middle East and North Africa. These awards celebrate and recognise outstanding infrastructure projects of which the transaction was closed in the previous year. Projects are evaluated based on criteria such as innovation, execution, sustainability, financial structure and social impact. The Khalifa Student Accommodation PPP received the Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year award and the PPP Deal of the Year – Student Accommodation award for 2024.
This pioneering public-private partnership in Abu Dhabi delivers high-quality student housing for Khalifa University, one of the region’s most prestigious academic institutions. This landmark partnership showcases a bespoke PPP framework that ensures strategic alignment, innovation, and accountability.
These recognitions highlight BESIX’s leadership in sustainable, innovative, and high-impact project delivery.
Elias Sfeir, Head of BESIX Invest Middle East: “These nominations are a tribute to our people, our partners, and our strong belief in the power of public-private collaboration to solve complex societal challenges. Whether it’s clean energy, smart mobility or social infrastructure, BESIX brings its solid expertise – from equity partner, to technical advisor to the EPC team and long-term operations – to projects that truly matter for communities.”
