Dubai's first Chinese school to open in September

Nearly 200 pupils have already enrolled at the non-profit school

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and Li Xuhang, China's consul general in Dubai. Dubai Media Office

Dubai's first Chinese school is to open in September.

The non-profit Chinese School Dubai will largely follow the Chinese national curriculum, with pupils also studying Arabic, Islamic studies and moral education.

Yin Liping, founding principal of Chinese School Dubai,  said the school would follow the model of Hangzhou No 2 High School, an internationally renowned school.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid meets Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan in Beijing

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid meets with Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan in Beijing, China.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, attends the opening session of the Belt and Road Conference for International Co-operation in Beijing, China. All photos by Wam

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid attends the opening session of the Belt and Road Conference for International Co-operation.

China's President Xi Jinping speaks at the opening session.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid listens to Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres' speech.

China's President Xi Jinping speaks at the opening session.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid meets Mr Wang.

From left: Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Minister of Economy HE Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori; Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future; Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, attend the meeting.

The model has been developed in the past 120 years and focuses on high-level learning, innovation and helping pupils develop an international vision.

Dubai's latest school will serve up to 2,000 pupils.

The school will be in Mirdif and some teachers will be recruited in China by the Hangzhou Education Bureau.

Initially, the school will offer classes up to grade five and will open in September with nearly 200 pupils and 37 teachers.

“China and the UAE have had a close long-standing friendship and there’s no better symbol for that friendship than a school," Dr Abdulla Al Karam, director general of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, Dubai's private education regulator, said.

"The Chinese School Dubai will be the heart of the Chinese community in Dubai and foster a rich exchange of teaching and learning opportunities with other schools in Dubai.

"We are honoured that the first Chinese-curriculum school outside of China is opening in Dubai. We look forward to the new possibilities and connections this will bring to our education community.”

Li Xuhang, China's consul general in Dubai, said the project would serve to further strengthen ties between the nations.

“The establishment of the first Chinese national school is a win-win project undertaken by China and the UAE, which aims to promote bilateral relations and cultural exchanges," he said.

"Not only does it meet the increasing demand from the existing diversified communities in Dubai, but it will also attract talent from China and other regions to study, work and live in Dubai.”

The school will accept pupils of all nationalities and will be the first overseas Chinese school to receive financial support from the Chinese government.