Dubai recently witnessed the opening of the first Chinese public school ever to be established outside China. On Monday, September 1st, His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended the inauguration of Chinese School Dubai (CSD).
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At the opening ceremony, HH Sheik Mansoor affirmed that the establishment of Chinese School Dubai further strengthens the cultural ties between China and the UAE, thus deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
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First Chinese Public School Outside China Opens in Dubai
Situated in Mirdif, Chinese School Dubai is expected to serve up to 2,000 students, according to a report by the Dubai Media Office. The school follows the model of an internationally renowned school — Hangzhou No. 2 High School — which is located in Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province in China.
During the opening ceremony, a short video about the school was presented. Primarily, it will cater to the Chinese community in Dubai, although the school will also be accepting students of other nationalities.
At present, there are about 200,000 Chinese nationals residing in the emirate. And with the addition of Chinese School Dubai, the number of curricula now offered by private schools in the emirate is now at 18.
Chinese Curriculum, Arabic, and Islamic Studies
Aside from touring the school, HH Sheik Mansoor looked into the school’s teaching methodologies, which reflects the Chinese national curriculum. In addition, students will also be studying Arabic, Islamic studies, and moral education. As for the teachers and school officials, they had been directly recruited by the Hangzhou Education Bureau.
HH Sheikh Mansoor also stated that the Dubai Government is committed towards ensuring the safety and well-being of teachers, staff, and students of all private schools in the emirate. He also commended the efforts of all private schools and government organisations in helping to ensure students’ safety — in accordance with the precautionary measures set by the Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management in Dubai.
A New Phase in Sino-UAE Relations
“The beginning of the new school academic year has brought with it a new educational paradigm as well as a new phase in Sino-UAE relations,” declared Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Director-General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA). “The inauguration of the Chinese School Dubai not only facilitates quality education for students but also serves the broader community.”
“We are proud that Dubai has been chosen as the location for the first public Chinese school outside China,” Al Karam added. “The school will provide a window into Chinese culture and civilization.”
Notably, the opening of Chinese School Dubai was attended by: His Excellency Helal Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing; HE Ahmed Abdulkarim Julfar, Director General of the Community Development Authority; HE Ni Jian, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE; HE Li Xuhang, Chinese Consul General in Dubai; and Yin Liping, Principal of Chinese School Dubai.
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