GEMS Schools Welcome the First Batch of Emirati Scholarship Students

Press release

Published September 10th, 2017 - 10:44 GMT

Parents with their children who received the scholarship.

GEMS Education’s 46 schools across the UAE have welcomed thousands of students back for the new academic year, including over 100 outstanding Emirati students who have been given scholarships through the Mohammed Bin Rashid Distinguished Students Programme.

As a proud partner of the programme, GEMS Education was pleased to welcome the Emirati students to 10 GEMS Schools in Dubai, and looks forward to receiving another 50 students over the next few weeks.

Launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai earlier this year, the programme aims to provide opportunities for outstanding Emirati students wishing to join the best private schools in the Emirate and give them access to the highest educational services.

Sawsan Bukallah, whose two sons Hussein and Mohammed Al Asmakh are a part of the programme, shared her enthusiasm and thoughts on the GEMS schools that her sons joined, and said: “I am delighted that I applied for the Mohammed Bin Rashid Distinguished Students Programme and incredibly grateful that my children are recipients of this prestigious scholarship. I chose GEMS Wellington Academy - Al Khail because it provides premium British education that is globally recognised for entry to higher education. I believe the school will provide my children with an excellent start to their education, embedding the core competencies required to be successful learners.”

Schools like GEMS World Academy – Dubai, GEMS Wellington Academy - Al Khail and GEMS Dubai American Academy have been popular choices for families on this programme, with 10 GEMS schools across Dubai that proud to be a part of it.

Sir Christopher Stone, Chief Education Officer, GEMS Education, said: “GEMS Education, in partnership with the KHDA, is committed to supporting the bold vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, We are proud that 10 GEMS schools are now working with these outstanding young people who are set to become the next generation of Emirati leaders. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Programme for Distinguished Students is aligned with the GEMS Education values of excellence, innovation and global citizenship and we are delighted to be part of it.”

Background Information

GEMS Education

In 1959, two teachers, KS Varkey and his wife Mariamma, arrived in Dubai.

At the time, Dubai was a burgeoning trade centre on the Arabian Gulf. The Varkey family had left Kerala, India to seek a better life for their family. What they found was a real need to educate children arriving in the city from around the world.

Their son, Sunny, added a visionary’s ambition to a practitioner's experience. From simple roots in a family of teachers, GEMS Education, is today an international company with schools and education services across the Middle East. We still share the same mission - to provide a quality education to everyone.