Masdar City Expands Learning Opportunities

New school and college reinforces Masdar City’s status as a leading urban ecosystem shaped by knowledge and innovation

Abu Dhabi, UAE, April 21, 2015 – Masdar City, Abu Dhabi’s sustainable city, announced plans to expand its educational resources with a new school and college, completing an ecosystem that connects education, research and business.

When the K-12 GEMS Education school and the undergraduate university Emirates College of Technology (ECT) are occupied, Masdar City will offer educational services from kindergarten to the post-graduate level. The two new academic institutions will complement the courses offered by Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. They will also reinforce Masdar City’s status as a leading source of knowledge and innovation, with education and a commitment to developing the United Arab Emirates’ human capital at its core.

Speaking at a signing ceremony, held at Cityscape Abu Dhabi, a leading gathering of real estate professionals, Masdar CEO Dr Ahmad Belhoul welcomed the new academic institutions to Masdar City.

“The Emirates College of Technology and GEMS Education are leading institutions that offer high-calibre curricula, consistent with Masdar’s high learning standards,” said Dr Belhoul.

“Together they will strengthen Masdar’s expanding ecosystem of innovation, by helping to equip the next generation with a solid educational foundation. As Masdar City grows, we are unlocking new talent and developing skills that support Abu Dhabi’s transition to a knowledge-based economy.”

ECT offers internationally-recognised diplomas and bachelor’s degrees in fields such as business administration, information technology and public relations, providing students with the academic and practical skills necessary to meet society’s evolving needs. The ECT campus will include a library, sports hall and an auditorium – in addition to lecture rooms and laboratories.

“We are thrilled to become part of the Masdar City vision to build the world’s most sustainable city and a hub of clean technology and innovation,” said Mohamad Al Mazroui, owner and board member of Emirates College of Technology. “Our comprehensive programmes are tailored to sustain a diversified economy in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, while meeting today’s learning and occupational needs of students, employers and society.”

GEMS Education in Masdar City will offer classes based on the UK curriculum to 2,500 students at the pre-school, primary and secondary education level.

“Moving to Masdar City is an obvious step for GEMS Education,” said Dino Varkey, Group Executive Director and Board Member of GEMS Education.

“Innovation underpins the curriculum and the principles we promote to make a positive impact on the world. Our values-driven educational model incorporates leading-edge tools to develop qualified, engaged global citizens, who will be the pillars of a more sustainable future.”

ECT and GEMS will augment the existing learning opportunities already located within Masdar City. Established in 2008 in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology is the world’s first graduate-level university dedicated to providing real-world solutions to issues of sustainability. The Institute’s goal is to become a world-class research-driven graduate-level university, focusing on advanced energy and sustainable technologies.

Masdar City is showcasing its various developments and business and investment opportunities at Cityscape Abu Dhabi at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Spokespeople will be on hand to answer questions at stand 6A10 between halls five and six from April 21-23, 2015.