First published: 23-Oct-2023 17:21:02

Jubail Island Investment Company and Spaces Investment and Real Estate Development Company signed a memorandum of understanding with Gordonstone School on September 21 of this year to launch the school on Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi.

The partnership ensures the provision of the unique educational experience of Gordonstone School in the Gulf region, which mainly focuses on building character among students between the ages of 4 and 18, in addition to developing and refining their various skills.

United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi: Jubail Island Investment Company and Spaces Investment and Real Estate Development Company announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Gordonstone School, under which the school grants both companies the exclusive rights to use the name “Gordenstone School,” its trademarks, and its curricula, in addition to the rights to develop the school. All of which will be subject to the global standards of the Gordonstone Foundation, which will enhance the educational experience in the countries of the region.

The agreement was signed by Munir Haider, CEO of Jubail Island Investment Company, Fahad Al Balushi, Chairman of Spaces Real Estate Investment and Development Company, and David White, Chairman of Governors at Gordonstone and Chairman of Gordonstone International Limited, at the Gordonstone School headquarters in Scotland on September 21. From the current year.

The signing ceremony was attended by Eng. Abdullah Saeed Al Shamsi, Director of Operations at Jubail Island Investment Company, Ali Yassin, Chief Financial Officer of Jubail Island Investment Company, Firas Abu Ibrahim, CEO of Spaces Investment and Real Estate Development Company, Lisa Kerr, Principal of Gordonstone School, and Pamela Muir, CEO of Gordonstone International, Ralph Taberer, International Director of Gordonstone, and John Longdon, International Director of Gordonstone.

Under this agreement, the first Gordonstoun School in the region will be opened on Jubail Island in Abu Dhabi, which is expected to begin receiving its students in September 2026. The school will provide an educational experience consistent with that offered in Scotland, as it will focus on the principles of leadership, facing challenges, and community service, in addition to Providing all students with the opportunity to interact with the culture and traditions of the United Arab Emirates.

Commenting on this cooperation, Mounir Haider, Executive Director of Jubail Island Investment Company, said: “We are pleased to cooperate with Spaces Investment and Real Estate Development Company and Gordonstone School, to launch its first schools on Jubail Island, which is further evidence of the continuous progress witnessed by this distinguished development. "It integrates community services. As it begins to receive students over the next few years, this school will make a positive impact on the Jubail Island community and will become a leading educational destination in the region, which will enhance Abu Dhabi's position as an ideal destination for living and learning."

The Gordonstone School on Jubail Island will be operated directly under its international name and brand, while providing all the educational characteristics and features for which the school is famous in the region, which will contribute to strengthening the leading position of Dhabi and consolidate the position of Jubail Island as a luxury residential destination par excellence in the heart of the capital. The presence of Gordonstone School on Jubail Island is clear evidence of the future vision of the Jubail Island Investment Company and its firm commitment to providing an exceptional and integrated lifestyle according to the highest standards.

In turn, Fahd Al Balushi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Spaces Real Estate Investment and Development Company, said: “Gordenstone’s specialized educational approach, which focuses on teaching students practical skills supported by the positive building of their personality, is in line with the values and culture of the United Arab Emirates, which aims to encourage perseverance, discipline and independence. Our cooperation with the Jubail Island Investment Company and Gordonstone to launch the first Gordonstone School in the region is an exceptional opportunity to set new standards for the quality of education. We are prepared to launch the Gordonstone School on Jubail Island, and we look forward to seeing the educational outcomes of the school in future generations in the Emirates.”

It is noteworthy that Gordonstoun School is a joint educational institution for boarding students and others. It was established in Moray - Scotland, to provide its distinguished educational services to students from the age of 4 to 18 years. It follows the English language curricula (GCSE) and (A Level), and is committed to teaching all its students flexibility. And confidence in facing challenges, and has focused on teaching personal skills for more than 80 years. It is home to the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh's Award and one of the best independent schools in the world.

For his part, David White, Chairman of Governors at Gordonstone and Chairman of Gordonstone International Limited, said: “At Gordonstone, we are proud to provide a world-leading education for our students, and our vision was and continues to be centered around continuing to make our unique approach more global. This collaboration represents a very important step towards making education that... The Gordonstone Foundation makes it more widely available to students in the region, and we are pleased to expand the horizons of our education in other parts of the world. We hope that the opening of the Gordonstone School on Jubail Island will be a distinguished beginning for many similar projects in the region in the future.”

White added: “The income generated from our global operations is a major source of funding for our scholarship program, which provides a lot of opportunities to change the lives of many students, in addition to developing our facilities and amenities for the benefit of our students and the local community.”

The Jubail Island development, managed by Lead Real Estate Development Company, extends over an area of 3,000 hectares and is strategically located amidst the stunning natural beauty and rich biodiversity of mangroves. The project includes six upscale residential villages between Yas and Saadiyat Islands, and is expected to turn into a natural outlet for lovers of healthy, upscale and sustainable living, and to form a distinctive addition to the urban landscape in Abu Dhabi.

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About Jubail Island:

The Jubail Island development project, valued at 15 billion UAE dirhams, includes the construction of a group of advanced villages located between Yas and Saadiyat Islands, which are planned to become a wonderful outlet for lovers of picturesque landscapes amid the biodiversity of mangroves.

The project, which extends over an area of 3,000 hectares, includes an upscale group of facilities such as restaurants, a beach club, a business center, sports facilities, schools and nurseries, in addition to a social club and specialized clinics. It is planned that the population of Jubail Island will reach more than 10,000 residents upon completion of all phases of the project.

To learn more about Jubail Island, you can visit the link: https://www.jubailisland.ae/

About Gordonstone School:

Gordonstoun is an independent, non-profit boarding school founded in Moray - Scotland in 1934 by Dr. Kurt Hahn, with the aim of developing students' skills, enhancing their sense of global citizenship and equipping them to contribute to community service. Dr Hahn was the foundation behind the Outward-Bound movement, and also worked with his former student Prince Philip to establish the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Since its founding, Gordonstone School has always been a leader in the education and development of personal skills, which in addition to academic subjects includes outdoor activities, sailing and community service. Three generations of British royalty were also educated at the school, including King Charles III.

Nearly one-third of the students at the co-ed boarding school receive tuition assistance to complete their education at the school. The school was described as 'outstanding' and 'sector-leading' in its latest review, and was voted the best boarding school in the UK in 2021.

© Press Release 2023