Raffles Campus, Box Hill sign strategic long term agreement
TAFE diploma opens doors to all Australian universities
Dubai, UAE; October 30, 2006: Emaar Education, the wholly-owned education subsidiary of Emaar Properties, will offer to students at its up-and-coming educational institutions the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) programmes by Australia's Box Hill Institute of Technical and Further Education.
Raffles Campus, the Singapore-based education provider acquired by Emaar, today signed a strategic long term agreement with Box Hill Institute to provide TAFE programmes in all its campuses from Asia to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Students who complete TAFE diploma courses will enjoy full eligibility for admission to all Australian and many other universities around the world.
Emaar recently announced the opening of its first international school - the E R International School (ERIS) - in Singapore. The property developer plans to open over 100 educational institutions including nurseries, international schools, business schools and universities in locations close to and within its master-planned communities in the MENA region, the Indian Subcontinent and Asia. This is part of Emaar's strategic Vision 2010 to become one of the most valuable companies in the world.
"The TAFE programmes will equip our students with the essential skills that enhance their employability," said Mr Mohamed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties. "This complements our efforts to diversify into value-added service sectors that benefit all cross-sections of the society."
"This strategic long term agreement with Box Hill Institute to offer TAFE programmes is in keeping with our integrated pathway model of education, which assures the all-rounded development of students," said Mr Boon Yew Ng, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Education. "Box Hill Institute is one of the premier Australian institutions and delivers a broad range of vocational education and training services."
Emaar Education will initially offer Box Hill Institute's programmes from three subject disciplines - Hospitality and Tourism; Health and Community Services; and Business. Box Hill Institute's trainers will also train instructors at Raffles Campus to run TAFE programmes.
"Box Hill Institute's mission is to provide students with a positive learning environment and give them the opportunity to excel in the global employment market, as well as to provide the industry and the community with highly skilled and well-educated people capable of making productive contributions," said Mr John Maddock, Chief Executive Officer, Box Hill Institute.
All successful TAFE graduates will be awarded certificates and diplomas issued by Box Hill Institute, Australia. Credits earned by students undergoing TAFE programmes through the Raffles Campus network of schools anywhere in the world can have their credits fully transferred should they wish to complete their studies in Box Hill Institute in Australia.
Apart from education, Emaar has also announced ventures in the healthcare, retail and hospitality sectors.
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Note to Editors
About Emaar Properties PJSC:
Emaar Properties, the Dubai-based Public Joint Stock Company and one of the world's largest real estate companies, is listed on the Dubai Financial Market and is part of the Dow Jones Arabia Titans Index. The company recently announced that its net profits for the three quarters ended September 30, 2006 reached AED 4.658 billion (US$1.268 billion) - a significant gain of 26 per cent over the same period in 2005 - reflecting the remarkable growth the company has gained since its inception in 1997.
With more than 14,500 homes handed over to customers, Emaar has several major real estate projects under various stages of development in Dubai. An ISO9001:2000 quality certified company, Emaar is marching ahead with the construction of its AED 73 billion (US$20 billion) Downtown Burj Dubai mixed-use development that encompasses Burj Dubai, the world's tallest tower when completed in 2008.
The company has joint ventures and projects across the region covering Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Bahrain, Syria, Jordan, Pakistan, Lebanon and Tunisia. In Saudi Arabia, Emaar is developing the US$26.6 billion (SR 100 billion) King Abdullah Economic City, the single largest private sector project in the Kingdom.
Emaar also entered the US market by acquiring John Laing Homes, the second largest privately held homebuilder in the US for AED 3.856 billion (US$1.050 billion). Emaar joined hands with The Turner Corporation, a leading international building services provider, to form a new entity, Turner International Middle East Ltd (Turner International ME) to jointly tap regional growth opportunities.
In a move that scaled up its core competency in product sales across the international arena, particularly the Western hemisphere, Emaar acquired Hamptons International, the UK-based subsidiary of premier property developer Wheelock Properties (Singapore) Ltd in a deal worth AED 562.45 million (US$153.05 million).
Last year the property developer announced plans to aggressively expand the retail sector with investments of over AED 15 billion (US$4 billion) to develop approximately 150 malls in the larger emerging markets of the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and the Indian subcontinent. In addition, Emaar has teamed up with Giorgio Armani S.p.A to build and manage 10 Armani hotels and resorts across the world; an Armani hotel will feature in Emaar's flagship Burj Dubai tower.
Emaar's education initiative will involve the establishment of international schools in the MENA region and India, which will offer premium quality education and an integrated curriculum for students ranging from kindergarten to tertiary levels. Emaar's healthcare diversification will see the company invest around AED 18.35 billion (US$5 billion) over the next decade in the MENA and South Asia markets with the construction of hospitals, clinics and medical centres and the investment in the provision of world-class healthcare services.
Emaar has diversified into related business lines to further build value for its shareholders, which includes the Government of Dubai. Emaar owns and manages EMRILL, a joint venture with the UK-based Carillion which provides innovative property and facilities management services. Emaar also holds 30 per cent equity in Dubai Bank, focused on retail and commercial banking and is the majority shareholder in Amlak Finance, UAE's leading Islamic home financing company. For more information, visit www.emaar.com.
About Raffles Campus Pte Ltd:
Raffles Campus Pte Ltd. ("Raffles Campus" or the "Company") is a leading educationalist with campuses in Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and Vietnam. It holds the award of the SQC for PEOs (Singapore Quality Class for Private Education Organisations). The Company offers academic, professional and vocational programs, English language programs and executive programs in its campuses. Raffles Campus partners reputable education institutions such as Upper Iowa University and Raffles Knowledge, the training arm of Raffles International Hotels, for some of its programs. For more information, visit www.rafflescampus.com.
About Box Hill Institute of Technical and Further Education:
Box Hill Institute of Technical and Further Education ("Box Hill Institute") is one of Australia's premier, multipurpose TAFE institutes that prides itself on its ability to deliver a broad range of vocational education and training services. Box Hill Institute has been acknowledged as Victoria's No. 1 TAFE Institute in 2004 and 2005.
Box Hill Institute has four main campuses located within easy reach of Melbourne's central business district. Box Hill Institute offers over 400 full-time and part-time courses covering a wide range of subject disciplines and delivery methods, as well as around 300 short courses. All courses provide students with a variety of pathways to employment, promotion and further tertiary study. Now delivering TAFE degrees in Applied Music, Computer Systems (Networking) and Biotechnology & Innovation, Box Hill Institute has more than 35,000 student enrolments each year with an increasing number coming from overseas.
Box Hill Institute is Australia's leading Technical and Further Education (TAFE) provider of tailored national and international quality training services for government and industry. These attributes, combined with Box Hill Institute's business and community partnerships, are driving the Institute to maintain its status as a leading global educator.
For further information, please contact:
Kelly Home / Nivine William
ASDA'A Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman PR Worldwide in Middle East & North Africa
Tel: (+971 4) 335 5969;
Fax: (+971 4) 335 6080
E-mail: k.home@asdaa.com, n.william@asdaa.com
© Press Release 2006
