The University of Greater Manchester has officially opened a new campus in Ras Al Khaimah amid an ongoing police investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the institution at home.
The university’s new Academic Centre campus in Sheikh Khalifa City was officially inaugurated yesterday (8 July), marking what the university described as another milestone for British higher education in the Northern Emirates. The purpose-built site is one of the first international university campuses in Ras Al Khaimah to operate from its own dedicated facilities.
The opening builds on a partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone dating back to 2008, when the institution – then operating as the University of Bolton Academic Centre – Ras Al Khaimah – first established a presence in the emirate.
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The news, however, comes on the same day that Greater Manchester Police announced the arrest of three people as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities at the University of Greater Manchester.
Two men in their 60s and a woman in her 50s were arrested on suspicion of money laundering, with the two men also questioned on suspicion of fraud and one additionally on suspicion of bribery. Detectives said they are investigating more than £1m of alleged fraudulent activity involving around 60 transactions.
The investigation, which began in 2025 following allegations first reported by The Manchester Mill, remains ongoing. No charges have been brought.
The new campus has capacity for up to 1,750 students in its first phase and will offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses across business, law, psychology, engineering, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cloud and network security, construction management and accountancy.
Andrew Clark, Deputy Consul General of the British Embassy in Dubai; Ian Hunt, CXO, RAKEZ; Dr. Sudhir Kartha, Chairman of the Knowledgucate Group; Dr. Steven Reissig, Executive Director, RAK DOK, all pictured top, were on hand to officially open the campus.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Sudhir Kartha, chairman of the Knowledgucate Group, said: “Today marks a proud and historic milestone in our journey to expand access to world-class higher education in the Northern Emirates.
“This inauguration is not just the opening of a campus — it is the beginning of new opportunities, stronger partnerships, and a brighter future for our students.”
He also announced plans for a second phase of development, expected to open during the next academic year in 2027.
Ramy Jallad, group CEO of RAKEZ, said: “We are proud to have been part of University of Greater Manchester’s journey since its establishment.
“This new campus represents far more than a physical expansion. It reflects the confidence that long-standing partners have in Ras Al Khaimah as a place to invest, innovate and grow.”
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the British Embassy in Dubai, the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge and RAKEZ, while the university’s acting vice-chancellor Dr Greg Walker joined virtually from the UK.
