Situated in Al Manakh, Sharjah, the campus of Global Studies University is now home to the former Khalid bin Mohammed School (KBMS), originally established in the mid-1970s as a boys’ school. It formed part of a wider series of nearly identical school buildings constructed across the UAE during an early phase of national educational development.

Its distinctive soft orange design was replicated across 28 schools in Sharjah City and the port towns of Dibba Al-Hosn, Khor Fakkan, and Kalba, making it one of the most widely used school typologies in the region.

The model, among the first primary and secondary school typologies after the UAE’s union, features a modular precast structure designed with shaded external circulation and naturally ventilated classrooms. Its defining architectural language includes repetitive vaulted bays, tall arches, long corridors, and covered walkways encircling courtyard spaces, giving the schools a clear and recognizable identity across the country. These buildings were designed by the architecture studio Khatib & Alami under the patronage of the Ministry of Education.

Over time, the doors of Khalid bin Mohammed School eventually closed, but its story did not end there. Recognizing the value of this architectural and cultural landmark, the Sharjah Art Foundation acquired the building from the government, and architect Mona El Mousfy led its renovation. The project carefully preserved Sharjah’s modern heritage while offering a strong example of adaptive reuse, bringing new life to the existing structure without erasing its history.

Today, the once-abandoned school has been transformed into the vibrant campus of Global Studies University, an interdisciplinary postgraduate research institution dedicated to the humanities and social sciences. Within its walls are an auditorium, workshop spaces, modular classrooms, a library, and a bookshop, all supporting the university’s mission of research, teaching, and public engagement across Sharjah, the UAE, and beyond.

This transformation of Khalid bin Mohammed School stands as a testament to a formative period of national investment in education and civic architecture in the United Arab Emirates. It also reflects Sharjah’s continued commitment to preserving modern heritage while advancing knowledge, culture, and academic life.

Situated in Al Manakh, Sharjah, the campus of Global Studies University is now home to the former Khalid bin Mohammed School (KBMS), originally established in the mid-1970s as a boys’ school. It formed part of a wider series of nearly identical school buildings constructed across the UAE during an early phase of national educational development.

Situated in Al Manakh, Sharjah, the campus of Global Studies University is now home to the former Khalid bin Mohammed School (KBMS), originally established in the mid-1970s as a boys’ school. It formed part of a wider series of nearly identical school buildings constructed across the UAE during an early phase of national educational development. Its distinctive soft orange design was replicated across 28 schools in Sharjah City and the port towns of Dibba Al-Hosn, Khor Fakkan, and Kalba, making it one of the most widely used school typologies in the region. The model, among the first primary and secondary school typologies after the UAE’s union, features a modular precast structure designed with shaded external circulation and naturally ventilated classrooms. Its defining architectural language includes repetitive vaulted bays, tall arches, long corridors, and covered walkways encircling courtyard spaces, giving the schools a clear and recognizable identity across the country. These buildings were designed by the architecture studio Khatib & Alami under the patronage of the Ministry of Education. Over time, the doors of Khalid bin Mohammed School eventually closed, but its story did not end there. Recognizing the value of this architectural and cultural landmark, the Sharjah Art Foundation acquired the building from the government, and architect Mona El Mousfy led its renovation. The project carefully preserved Sharjah’s modern heritage while offering a strong example of adaptive reuse, bringing new life to the existing structure without erasing its history. Today, the once-abandoned school has been transformed into the vibrant campus of Global Studies University, an interdisciplinary postgraduate research institution dedicated to the humanities and social sciences. Within its walls are an auditorium, workshop spaces, modular classrooms, a library, and a bookshop, all supporting the university’s mission of research, teaching, and public engagement across Sharjah, the UAE, and beyond. This transformation of Khalid bin Mohammed School stands as a testament to a formative period of national investment in education and civic architecture in the United Arab Emirates. It also reflects Sharjah’s continued commitment to preserving modern heritage while advancing knowledge, culture, and academic life.