The Jordanian investor planning to develop a university campus had initially asked for a larger tract of land than the one in Marsascala. 

Spokesman Kevin Deguara said most of the university models Sadeen Educational Investments had looked at required a minimum of 100,000 square metres and some were even spread over a minimum of 120,000 square metres. However, the company settled for 90,000 square metres after the government asked it to reduce the original requirements.

He cautioned that finding an alternative site could impact the project’s feasibility and timelines.

The university, dubbed the American University of Malta, plans to host 4,000 students and is expected to have its first intake in October 2016, using Smart City as a temporary facility.

Dr Deguara insisted the single most important condition for Sadeen was that all buildings and amenities would be situated on one campus.  The size of the land area was “crucial” for the investment because it determined the type of facilities offered, the number of students accommodated, the open spaces, sports facilities and other open air amenities.

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