Emaar Properties transfers management of education portfolio in Dubai to Innoventure Educational Investments

• Change effective for Raffles Campus schools and nurseries in Dubai from next academic year
• Emaar has successful partnership with Innoventures for Dubai International Academy in Emirates Hills

Emaar Properties PJSC, the global property developer, announced the transfer of its education portfolio in Dubai, including two schools, six nurseries and a vocational training campus, to Dubai-based premium education provider Innoventure Educational Investments LLC (Innoventures). The move will be effective from the next academic year commencing September 2010.

Emaar has already partnered successfully with Innoventures in operating Dubai International Academy (DIA), a premier school located in Emirates Hills, the first master-planned community of Emaar.

Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said the partnership with Innoventure Educational Investments marks Emaar’s strategy of focusing on its core competency of value creation by building premium real estate master-developments.

“While business segmentation and geographic expansion will continue to be the pillars of our growth, Emaar will explore opportunities for new partnerships, such as the one with Innoventures, that add value to our integrated communities.

“Innoventures has a successful track-record in bringing world-class educational programmes to Dubai. We are leveraging their expertise to further enhance our quality education offering for students and parents in our Raffles schools and nurseries,” he explained.

Through the partnership, the two schools – Raffles International Umm Suqeim West Campus and Raffles International Umm Suqeim South Campus – and the six nurseries – in The Lakes, Downtown Dubai, The Springs and the Umm Suqeim South Campus – will be managed on a long-term basis by Innoventures.

Dr Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director General at the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said: “We hope that the partnership between Emaar and Innoventures will prove fruitful. We wish the pupils of these kindergartens and schools well with their studies in the coming years.”

Innoventures is a privately held company established in 2004 with Mr Abdulla Majed Al Ghurair (Chairman), His Excellency Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Mr Hamdi Osman and Mr Avishesha Bhojani (Managing Director) as Directors. Its flagship school, Dubai International Academy is the first and premier International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum school offering all three IB programmes in the UAE, namely the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP).

DIA currently has over 1,750 students of 75 nationalities, and is regarded as a leading educational institution offering world-class education, with a waiting list almost as long as the current enrollment.

Mr Bhojani said: “Innoventures has played a key role in driving international education in Dubai by building the first school to offer the continuum of the International Baccalaureate programmes at Dubai International Academy. By strengthening our partnership with Emaar Properties, we will further enhance the quality education offering at Raffles Campus schools and nurseries in Dubai.”

He added: “The Raffles schools and nurseries will build on the strong foundation put in place by Emaar. Most existing staff and faculty will continue, while Innoventures will bring in a new perspective to education delivery focused on student empowerment, extra-curricular activities and overall quality enhancement. Over the coming years, Innoventures will also endeavour to expand the Raffles campuses in Dubai as well as in key overseas markets.”

The Raffles International School West and South Campuses, together, have over 1,200 students from over 60 countries, supported by an international faculty. Both schools feature modern amenities – all tailored to ensure the all-round personality development of the students.

Mr. Bhojani said: “The early years of a child are among the most crucial in his or her life to influence learning and attitudes to learning. We are committed to providing a high quality and holistic education in a nurturing environment that values the parent perspective at Raffles Nurseries.”