Dubai: India's Manipal University on Wednesday announced the launch of its engineering programmes in its Dubai campus, significantly enhancing the institute's presence in this booming Gulf metropolis.

"Over the past few years, we have seen tremendous growth and response to all our programmes in Dubai. With growth in information technology, manufacturing and construction industry in Dubai, there is a significant surge in demand for qualified engineers," B. Ramjee, director of the Manipal University (Dubai Campus), said at a press conference here.

"Having identified this need and given our vast experience in this field, introduction of the engineering programmes at our Dubai campus is a natural expansion of Middle East focus and strategy," he said.

Initially the university is offering five Bachelor of Engineering programmes at its Dubai facility - mechatronics engineering, instrumentation and control engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering and electronics and communication engineering.

Each programme will have 50 students, with the total number of students in the first batch being 250.

The programmes will start from September this year.

Indian Test captain Anil Kumble, who is also the brand ambassador for Manipal University, said, "In today's competitive world there is no substitute to sound education. One may choose to excel in diverse fields but a solid educational background will always give one the confidence and edge over the others."

Kumble also handed over the first provisional admission certificates to two students selected for the new programmes.

Manipal University started its Dubai campus in 2003. Today it has around 1,500 students on its rolls. IANS