A new campus for one the UK's top schools will open on Abu Dhabi's Fahid Island in three years, Aldar has announced.
King's College School Wimbledon will host up to 2,200 pupils when it opens in September 2028, according to the developer.
The master plan for Fahid Island was unveiled last week by Aldar Properties with more than 6,000 luxury residences planned for the 2.7 million square metre island, as well as two hotels. It is said to have a gross development value of more than Dh40 billion ($10.9 billion).
“We are proud to announce the first King’s College School Wimbledon to Abu Dhabi, a milestone that reflects Aldar’s fast growing education portfolio and commitment to educational excellence,” said Aldar group chief executive Talal Al Dhiyebi.
“With King’s long-standing legacy of academic distinction and its proven track record of preparing students for the world’s top universities, this new school at the heart of Fahid Island will further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a premier destination for world-class education and a global centre for talent development.”
King’s College School marks the initial phase of Aldar’s educational strategy for the island, designed to address growing demand, the developer said in a statement released on Monday.
The Fahid Island project, with an 11km coastline, will be built in the UAE’s capital between Yas Island and Saadiyat Island.
“King’s College School Wimbledon is globally recognised for its ability to nurture well-rounded individuals equipped with the confidence, compassion and critical thinking skills to thrive,” said Aldar Education chief executive Sahar Cooper.
“The school’s holistic approach to education, anchored in strong values, rich co-curricular programmes and personalised pastoral care will add a new dimension to Aldar Education’s offering and further support Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a regional hub for excellence in education.”
Ms Cooper said the establishment of King’s College School on Fahid Island is the initial phase, with further “educational institutions” expected as part of future phases.
Karl Gross, director of international schools at King’s College School Wimbledon, added: “Bringing an authentic King’s College School Wimbledon education to the region marks an exciting milestone in our ambition to build a global family of world-class international schools, where we offer our pupils an outstanding education in mind, spirit and heart.
“Building on the success of our school in Wimbledon and our existing overseas campuses, this new partnership offers a unique and inspiring opportunity for students in Abu Dhabi to experience the transformational impact of a King’s education, preparing them to thrive in the world beyond school. ”
Company%20profile
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ENGLAND SQUAD
Team: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Sam Simmonds
Replacements 16 Jamie George, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 George Kruis, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Danny Care, 22 Jonathan Joseph, 23 Jack Nowell
MATCH INFO
Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm UAE
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Places to go for free coffee
- Cherish Cafe Dubai, Dubai Investment Park, are giving away free coffees all day.
- La Terrace, Four Points by Sheraton Bur Dubai, are serving their first 50 guests one coffee and four bite-sized cakes
- Wild & The Moon will be giving away a free espresso with every purchase on International Coffee Day
- Orange Wheels welcome parents are to sit, relax and enjoy goodies at ‘Café O’ along with a free coffee
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
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more from Janine di Giovanni
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
THE BIO
Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain
Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude
Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE
Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally
Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science
New process leads to panic among jobseekers
As a UAE-based travel agent who processes tourist visas from the Philippines, Jennifer Pacia Gado is fielding a lot of calls from concerned travellers just now. And they are all asking the same question.
“My clients are mostly Filipinos, and they [all want to know] about good conduct certificates,” says the 34-year-old Filipina, who has lived in the UAE for five years.
Ms Gado contacted the Philippines Embassy to get more information on the certificate so she can share it with her clients. She says many are worried about the process and associated costs – which could be as high as Dh500 to obtain and attest a good conduct certificate from the Philippines for jobseekers already living in the UAE.
“They are worried about this because when they arrive here without the NBI [National Bureau of Investigation] clearance, it is a hassle because it takes time,” she says.
“They need to go first to the embassy to apply for the application of the NBI clearance. After that they have go to the police station [in the UAE] for the fingerprints. And then they will apply for the special power of attorney so that someone can finish the process in the Philippines. So it is a long process and more expensive if you are doing it from here.”
