• Dubai College's reception building in 1988. All photos: Dubai College
    Dubai College's reception building in 1988. All photos: Dubai College
  • Pupils during art class in the 1980s.
    Pupils during art class in the 1980s.
  • The school's first bus pictured in 1980. Dubai College is one of the city’s oldest schools.
    The school's first bus pictured in 1980. Dubai College is one of the city’s oldest schools.
  • The science room in the 1980s.
    The science room in the 1980s.
  • The old sports court in 1983.
    The old sports court in 1983.
  • Pupils conduct experiments in a science class.
    Pupils conduct experiments in a science class.
  • Plot B141 in Umm Suqeim pictured in 1980.
    Plot B141 in Umm Suqeim pictured in 1980.
  • Staff quarters on campus under construction.
    Staff quarters on campus under construction.
  • The beach road outside campus in Umm Suqeim in 1980.
    The beach road outside campus in Umm Suqeim in 1980.
  • The physical education changing room block, in 1989.
    The physical education changing room block, in 1989.
  • The campus in 1994 after extensions in previous years.
    The campus in 1994 after extensions in previous years.
  • The school's buses in the 1980s.
    The school's buses in the 1980s.
  • Dubai College's entrance in 2000.
    Dubai College's entrance in 2000.
  • The swimming pool on campus in 1984.
    The swimming pool on campus in 1984.
  • Foundations of the new campus block in 1982.
    Foundations of the new campus block in 1982.
  • Dubai College as seen from above in 1982.
    Dubai College as seen from above in 1982.
  • The Sixth Form Centre under construction in 1991.
    The Sixth Form Centre under construction in 1991.

UAE

Education

Three UAE schools shortlisted for international awards

Schools will be recognised for their community partnership programmes, diversity and sustainability initiatives

Anam Rizvi
Anam Rizvi

September 22, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Three schools in the UAE have been shortlisted for global awards that recognises their future-thinking programmes, digital learning skills and well-being initiatives.

The International School Awards, hosted by ISC Research, an educational data provider in the UK, celebrate learning, teaching, community, well-being, leadership and other strategic initiatives at international schools.

Schools have been shortlisted in 10 categories, such as community partnerships, diversity and sustainability.

Ajman Academy and Millennium School in Dubai have each been shortlisted for one award, while Dubai College is in the running for two.

Ajman Academy and Dubai College are both on the shortlist for the Digital Technology in Learning Award, a prize that recognises a school initiative that uses technology to help pupils learn digital responsibility.

Dubai College has also been nominated for the Future Pathways Award, which assesses how a school initiative is preparing pupils with the skills and values to support them in future endeavours.

The Millennium School has been shortlisted for the Wellbeing award. The 22-year-old school in Al Qusais has close to 2,800 pupils enrolled from pre-primary to Grade 12.

Dubai College was established in 1978. The British-curriculum school in Al Sufouh is one of the oldest in the city and is considered to be among the best in the emirate.

It was recently also named among the top 100 private schools in the world by luxury lifestyle magazine Spear’s.

The shortlisted schools were selected among 291 applications that were received from schools in 61 countries.

The awards provide the opportunity for international schools to share best practices and creative endeavours.

Schools around the world have been shortlisted in several categories. Winners will be announced during a live online ceremony on January 24, 2023.

Schools from Kuala Lumpur to Houston and Mumbai to Moldova are on the list.

10 UAE private schools in world's top 100 - in pictures

  • The British School Al Khubairat has long been considered one of the best in the country and its story began more than 50 years ago. Victor Besa / The National
    The British School Al Khubairat has long been considered one of the best in the country and its story began more than 50 years ago. Victor Besa / The National
  • Cranleigh has more than 150-year history in England and its Abu Dhabi site celebrates the many cultures in the country. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Cranleigh has more than 150-year history in England and its Abu Dhabi site celebrates the many cultures in the country. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Pupils from Brighton College Abu Dhabi have gone on to study at the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, St Andrews, and Warwick University. Chris Whiteoak / The National
    Pupils from Brighton College Abu Dhabi have gone on to study at the University of Oxford, Imperial College London, St Andrews, and Warwick University. Chris Whiteoak / The National
  • Pupils at Jumeirah College have landed offers from prestigious universities, including Imperial College London, London School of Economics, the University of Oxford and University of Melbourne. Photo: Jumeirah College
    Pupils at Jumeirah College have landed offers from prestigious universities, including Imperial College London, London School of Economics, the University of Oxford and University of Melbourne. Photo: Jumeirah College
  • Jumeirah English Speaking School follows the UK curriculum and is one of the oldest schools in the emirate. The school has two branches — one in Al Safa 1 and the other in Arabian Ranches. Pawan Singh / The National
    Jumeirah English Speaking School follows the UK curriculum and is one of the oldest schools in the emirate. The school has two branches — one in Al Safa 1 and the other in Arabian Ranches. Pawan Singh / The National
  • The Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai is a bilingual international baccalaureate school that opened in 2015. Pawan Singh / The National
    The Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai is a bilingual international baccalaureate school that opened in 2015. Pawan Singh / The National
  • North London Collegiate School is one of Dubai's most expensive schools. Antonie Robertson / The National
    North London Collegiate School is one of Dubai's most expensive schools. Antonie Robertson / The National
  • The Repton School had an outstanding rating on DSIB inspection reports for six consecutive years, from 2014 up until 2020. Photo: Repton Dubai
    The Repton School had an outstanding rating on DSIB inspection reports for six consecutive years, from 2014 up until 2020. Photo: Repton Dubai
  • Dubai College is one of the oldest in the city and is often touted as one of the best in the emirate. Pawan Singh / The National
    Dubai College is one of the oldest in the city and is often touted as one of the best in the emirate. Pawan Singh / The National
  • As part of Nord Anglia Education's family, pupils have access to collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School and Unicef. Photo: Nord Anglia International School Dubai
    As part of Nord Anglia Education's family, pupils have access to collaborations with MIT, The Juilliard School and Unicef. Photo: Nord Anglia International School Dubai
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

THE BIO

Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.

Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.

Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.

Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.

 

 

Updated: September 22, 2022, 11:29 AM
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