Dubai South and GEMS Education Sign Agreement to Open First British School in Residential District
Dubai South, the expansive urban master development known for its focus on aviation, logistics, and real estate, has announced a significant partnership with GEMS Education, the UAE’s leading private K-12 education provider. This collaboration will bring the GEMS Founders School – Dubai South, a world-class British educational institution, to the thriving Dubai South Residential District. The new school is set to open in August 2024, with enrollments starting in June, pending approval from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA).
The signing ceremony was attended by prominent figures including HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South; Sunny Varkey, Group Chairman of GEMS Global and Founder of Varkey Foundation and GEMS Education; Nabil Al Kindi, CEO of Dubai South Properties; and Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education, alongside other senior executives.
HE Khalifa Al Zaffin expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are pleased to sign this agreement with a renowned school operator. At Dubai South, our mandate is to support our wise leadership’s vision of attracting one million residents to the area once Al Maktoum International Airport is complete by providing world-class services and amenities to the residents at Dubai South. We remain steadfast in our commitment to contribute to the government’s plan to advance the UAE education sector.”
Sunny Varkey echoed this sentiment, highlighting the alignment of GEMS Education’s mission with the goals of Dubai South: “We are honored to collaborate with Dubai South on this visionary project. At GEMS Education, our mission aligns perfectly with the goals of Dubai South to provide world-class services and amenities to residents. By bringing our well-loved GEMS Founders brand to this important area, we are proud to contribute to the advancement of the UAE’s thriving education sector as part of the UAE’s transformative journey.”
GEMS Founders School – Dubai South will initially offer the National Curriculum for England to students from FS1 to Year 8. The school will occupy a 250,000 square-foot campus featuring state-of-the-art facilities, including spacious classrooms, STEAM labs, food tech and ICT labs, art and music rooms, and dedicated spaces for language and Islamic studies. Sports facilities will include a 25-metre swimming pool, football pitch, multi-purpose sports halls, and ample outdoor green spaces.
The school will eventually expand to serve students up to Year 13, with a total capacity of over 2,500 students. It aims to provide a dynamic educational environment with a focus on logistics, operations, and enterprise, ensuring students are future-ready. Additionally, it will serve as an innovation and sustainability hub, dedicated to cutting-edge research and sustainable practices.
Dubai South, launched by the Dubai Government in 2006, spans 145 square kilometers and is positioned as a global commercial and residential hub. It plays a crucial role in the social and economic growth of Dubai and the UAE, offering business-friendly free-zone benefits and a diverse range of mixed-use and residential communities.
