Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; June 1, 2008: Emaar, The Economic City (Emaar.E.C), the Tadawul-listed company developing King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), has signed an agreement with Emaar Education, the education subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, to open a premier educational institute, Raffles International School, in KAEC. Raffles International School, to be managed by Raffles Campus of Singapore, will be located in Bay La Sun Village, the first integrated residential community in KAEC.
Mr Fahd Al-Rasheed, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, Emaar.E.C, and Mr Boon Yew Ng, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Education, signed the agreement in Jeddah recently.
Raffles International School in KAEC will be the second educational institution within the master-planned project following an agreement with Global Education Management Systems (GEMS) to open the first school in KAEC. Raffles International School will offer the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge’s International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) programmes. It will also have a world-class sports academy for grooming the sports talent of students.
Mr Al-Rasheed said: “The agreement with Emaar Education to open the second school in KAEC within the Bay La Sun Village community highlights our commitment to provide a world-class educational environment for children in our residential communities. It also reflects our developmental objective of creating integrated lifestyle neighbourhoods with all amenities in easy access.”
He added: “Emaar Education has established itself as a premier provider of quality education in Singapore and Dubai, and they will bring the same world-class standards to Saudi Arabia. Emaar.E.C is looking at global partnerships for creating a dynamic educational environment in KAEC and Emaar Education will be the perfect partner to accomplish our goals.”
Mr Boon Yew Ng said: “Emaar Education has consolidated its presence in Dubai and Singapore through our focus on the all-round development of children. Emaar acquired Raffles Campus, a premier educational provider in Singapore, which lends the expertise to our schools. Our schools follow an integrated pathway model that emphasizes on the holistic nurturing and development of the skills of children.”
He added: “The IB programme to be offered in the KAEC school is recognized globally for its effectiveness in preparing students for real-world issues and enhancing their leadership skills, while Cambridge’s IGCSE qualification – the world’s largest provider of international qualification for 14- to 19-year-olds - is taken in 150 countries and recognised by universities, educational providers and employers across the world. The Theory of Knowledge concept – the basic philosophy of the IB programme – covers internal and external assessment of the students’ knowledge in six subjects. The programme also includes 150 hours of practice in Creativity, Action and Service within the local community, thus enabling the grooming of a socially responsible future generation.”
Raffles International School in KAEC will have an advanced learning environment featuring modern class rooms, computer and IT facilities, playgrounds and dedicated sports and games facilities. Apart from academics, the students will also be encouraged to participate in cultural activities through specialized training sessions in fine arts and music. Construction of the school will begin shortly.
KAEC, the largest private sector development in the region, has six zones spread over 168 million square metres. They are: The Sea Port, Industrial Zone, Central Business District (including financial district), Educational Zone, Resort District and Residential Communities. Work is progressing on schedule on the first phase of the project including the Sea Port, Industrial Zone, Resort District and Residential Communities.
Emaar Education owns and operates five schools and nurseries in Dubai, one school in Singapore, and will open one school in India in July followed by several new institutions in the region. The schools offer three different internationally-renowned curricula: American High School Diploma, International Baccalaureate Diploma and Cambridge University’s International General Certificate of Education – Advanced Level. Emaar’s expansion into education is in line with its Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world.
