Raffles International School is second school in KAEC Located in Bay La Sun Village, a fully integrated community Offering International Baccalaureate and Cambridge IGCSE programmes Classes offered from KG to Grade 12 School will house a world-class Sports Academy Jeddah, Saudi Arabia;
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. -ends- Note to Editors About Emaar, The Economic City: Emaar, The Economic City (Emaar.E.C), established in September 2006, is a Saudi joint stock company managed by Emaar Properties PJSC, one of the world’s largest property developers, and a number of high profile investors from Saudi Arabia. Emaar.E.C has a share capital of SR8.5 billion consisting of 850 million shares of nominal value SR10 each. Thirty per cent of the equity, worth SR2.55 billion, was offered for public subscription. Emaar.E.C leads the master-planning and development of the 168 million sq m King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), a project being built on a pristine location off the Red Sea in the north of Jeddah. SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority), the body responsible for inward investments into the Kingdom, is the prime facilitator for KAEC. KAEC, a New Age City being built today for tomorrow’s generation of Saudi citizens, has six components – sea port, industrial district, educational zone, central business district with commercial, mixed-use, retail outlets and financial island, resorts and residential area. The mega-project works closely with the Kingdom’s on-going drive to expand the economy, create employment opportunities for its youthful population and function as a catalyst to attract foreign investment, global trade, commerce and industry. Based on initial forecasts, the project and its several components will create up to one million employment opportunities in the various industries and service-oriented companies that will open in KAEC. It will also be home to 2 million residents. About Emaar Education: Emaar Education, the wholly owned subsidiary of Emaar Properties PJSC, envisages building and managing world-class educational institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia. Raffles Campus, Singapore’s leading educational provider, which was acquired by Emaar Properties, lends expertise to Emaar Education. Emaar opened its first international school in Singapore - Emaar International School ( HYPERLINK "http://www.eis.edu.sg" www.eis.edu.sg ), and will initially open five schools and four nurseries and kindergartens in Dubai. The institutions follow an integrated pathway model to ensure all-round development of students, and offer streams of internationally recognized curricula. For vocational studies, Emaar Education offers Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Programmes through Australia’s Box Hill Institute of Technical and Further Education, upon completion of which students can enjoy full eligibility for admission to all Australian and many other universities around the world. Emaar Education recently announced the University of the Arts initiative to promote art education in the Middle East and North Africa region and the Indian Subcontinent. This specialised Art Education facility will open soon
