Dubai, Jan 17th, 2012 (WAM)-- H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group, and Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), graced the official opening ceremony of the Indian International School (IIS) at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the integrated free zone technology park.
Prominent dignitaries including Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Vice-Chairman and CEO of DSOA, Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of Board of Directors and Director General of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Mohan Valrani, Honorary Chairman of Indian High School (IHS) Dubai, as well as other senior officials from DSO, KHDA, Indian Embassy, and IHS Dubai attended the ceremony. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum commenced the proceedings of the grand opening with the unveiling of a memorial stone marking the official opening of the school. This was followed by a tour of the campus, which witnessed the inauguration of the semi-Olympic sized swimming pool. Arushee Wahi, a student who won laurels for the Indian High School with her record-breaking performance at the CBSE National Swimming Championship, was lauded and presented with a gold medal. On the occasion, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed presented the keys of a mini bus to Rashid Pediatric Centre (RPC), which was donated by the International Indian School as part of the schools commitment to supporting the community. Dr. Zarooni said: "Dubai Silicon Oasis is committed to contributing to Dubais vision of shaping a knowledge-based economy through hosting renowned primary, middle and higher educational institutions. The inauguration of the International Indian School reinforces our commitment to introducing quality education that will inculcate students with the necessary tools to qualify for leading global universities. We are also confident that the new campus will offer residents and professionals at DSO a convenient academic option for their children." Dr. Abdulla Al Karam said: "We give our thanks to the founding fathers of the school and the contribution they have made to four generations of graduates who benefitted from their vision. These students have become ambassadors of Dubai and must feel very proud now that their old school, Indian High, has been judged as one of the two outstanding Indian schools in Dubai. "This achievement is the result of hard work and team work. The management, teachers, students and parents have worked together to create the success that students enjoy today. We thank you for your commitment to education, and now we look forward to your third school and this culture of excellence being available to more and more young people."In his address to the gathering of 5,000 dignitaries and guests, Mohan Valrani said the International Indian School comes in response to the need to accommodate the learning requirements of students settled in the Gulf. Highlighting that the school offers quality education at affordable costs in line with its philosophy that education is not a privilege but the fundamental right of every child, he said the inauguration is the beginning of a noble journey that will witness the opening of four new schools for a projected student population of 25,000 by 2020. The grand finale of the inauguration was marked by a spectacular display of fireworks.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2012.
