President Bill Clinton Opens Gems American Academy Abu Dhabi

-President also leads celebrations at GEMS Dubai Modern High School's Silver Jubilee

Abu Dhabi, UAE- December 13,2011:   President Bill Clinton, the 42^ndPresident of the United States, today opened GEMSAmerican Academy - Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Nahyan binMubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of HigherEducation and Scientific Research and His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Al Khathami, UAEMinister of Education.

On the occasion, President Clinton said, "I often think that the education ofeven one child who otherwise would not have the opportunity to get a worldclass education, may be worth to the future of the world, more than all theendeavours that I have engaged in my life. I very much appreciate thecommitment GEMS has, to try to provide that opportunity for ever larger numbersof children, here, and other places across the world."

The ceremony was hosted by GEMS Education and attended by a number of dignitaries and other VIPguests.  Sunny Varkey, Chairman of GEMSEducation, said, "We are extremely honoured to have President Clinton and HisHighness here to open GEMS American Academy in the UAE Capital. GEMS has beenoperating schools in Abu Dhabi for over twenty years and will continue itscommitment of supporting the government's education objectives in both theprivate and public sectors.

 "Students attending this new school will havea truly international education experience. The sheer diversity of nationalitiesprovides students with a unique international understanding through interactionand by studying and experiencing other cultures and belief systems," Mr Varkeysaid.

Located in Khalifa City,the new GEMS American Academy is the most modern international school in AbuDhabi and will support the governments 'Abu Dhabi 2030 vision' of raising  the standard of education, in order toempower both nationals and expatriates to transform the Emirate into aninnovate, knowledge based society.

Over the lastthree years alone, GEMS students have been accepted into 567 universities in 36countries. GEMS students have gone to 12 out of the top 15 universities in the world. In the last ten years alone, GEMS students have wonover 300 international and regionalawards for academics,   sports andthe arts.

GEMS American Academy AbuDhabi will deliver world's best practice in teaching and learning within astate-of-the-art, purpose built facility which includes; technology integratedfacilities, a planetarium and a 650 seat auditorium.  For extracurricular activities, the schooloffers a six court sports hall, climbing wall, two swimming pools, four fullsized tennis and basketball courts and a full sized rugby pitch.

GEMS has selected a team of world renowned educators to ensure itdelivers global best practice in the field of education. These include leaderswho have excelled in education reform, curriculum development and teaching andlearning practices. They are unequalled in international experience and includeindividuals who have established schools all over the world.

The GEMS American Academy in Abu Dhabi follows the US curriculum,with a commitment to the highest international standards of staff and teaching.The Academy has also undertaken candidate status with the InternationalBaccalaureate Organisation for its Primary Years Program and is seeking fullaccreditation in 2013. Currently offering grades KG 1 to Grade 8 with provisionfor a secondary school starting in September 2012, the school has been modelledclosely on the acclaimed Dubai American Academy. 

Clinton celebrates 25^thAnniversary of Dubai Modern High School

Later today, President BillClinton will visit GEMS Dubai Modern High School as Chief Guest for its 25^thAnniversary celebration.  During the celebrations, students of the schoolwill perform songs from  Phantom of Opera for President Clintonand other VIP guests. Dubai Modern High School, GEMS premium Indian school isknown for its excellent academic results with a 100 per cent record in college admissions with students beingaccepted to the top schools in the world such as Yale, Columbia, Johns Hopkins,Rice, National Universities of Singapore and many others across the globe. 

Students have also participated in globalevents such as the Global Young Leaders Conference in Washington and New York,Global Young Leaders Debating Programme in London, The West End Theatre

Training Programme, International Award forYoung People Programme and the NASA Space Programme in the USA.  Other key achievements for the school includeThe Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Makhtoum Award for Academic Excellence for theBest Private School and the Dubai Quality Appreciation Award Certificate

-Ends-

AboutGEMS Education:

GEMS Education has a globalnetwork of world class international schools. With over 50 years of experiencein education, GEMS provides high quality holistic education to over 100,000students from over 140 countries. It employs over 10,000 educationprofessionals, specialists and staff from around the world. The GEMS approachto learning focuses not only on academic excellence, but also in helpingstudents develop their character and creativity so that they achieve their fullpotential as human beings.  The GEMSEducation school model is unique in the world because it offers a broad rangeof curricula across a range of tuition fees making private education moreaccessible to the broader community. GEMS Education also supports Governments'education reform agenda by working with Ministries of Education to lift schoolperformance and improve the standards and expertise of government schoolsacross the globe. GEMS Education has offices in the United Arab Emirates, theUnited Kingdom, the United States of America, India and Singapore.

© Press Release 2011