MUSCAT — Iskan Oman Investment Company (Iskan Oman) has branched out into the field of education with the setting up of a separate company, Al Omania Education Services Company LLC (Iskan Knowledge).
Iskan Knowledge plans investments of more than RO 20 million on various school projects. As a first step Iskan Knowledge acquired Azzan Bin Qais International School (ABQ), a school with an excellent reputation for quality education. ABQ recently achieved the ‘International School’ status as recognised by the Ministry of Education.
Iskan Knowledge has also acquired a new site in Seeb which it is developing as an international school for 2,800 children complete with all the top-of-the-range facilities to deliver an international curriculum together with a purpose-built Day Care Centre, and Nursery.
Iskan Knowledge has appointed Jeremy Long as Chief Education Officer. Long is a very experienced international school educator with over 30 years of teaching in the Far East, Middle East and Europe in International Baccalaureate World Schools (K-12). He will lead a dedicated team of professionals in the management of the Iskan Knowledge schools.
With the object of providing high quality education, Iskan Knowledge plans to develop a network of schools delivering a first-rate education, respecting cultural and traditional values. A well balanced and dynamic curriculum, designed to meet the needs of today’s children and to equip them to face tomorrow’s challenges, will be delivered in each of these schools by an enthusiastic team of outstanding teachers.
Dr Rashid Ali al Balushi, Managing Director of Iskan Oman said: “The ethos of ABQ and future Iskan Knowledge schools is to nurture a caring environment that fosters educational excellence in every student and enhances their physical, social and cultural awareness, providing them ample space to blossom. Every student receives individual attention from an internationally experienced tutor mostly drawn from the UK, USA, Europe, Asia and Oman.”
Extra curricular programmes at ABQ are a strong feature, as they will be at all Iskan Knowledge schools, focusing on personal development and confidence building in each student. This, together with international and regional student exchange programmes and field trips contribute much to the individual development of the students. Iskan Knowledge has funded further expansion of the ABQ infrastructure and educational facilities, adding five new, state-of-the-art science labs, expansion and upgrading of the library, an eight-lane swimming pool, expansion of the dining facilities and outstanding sports facilities.
All Iskan Knowledge schools will follow an international quality education leading to international as well as national certification. Presently, ABQ offers 3 academic pathways. The international curriculum for IGCSE exams in grade 10 and ‘A’ level in grade 12 leads to International Secondary Diplomas. A bi-lingual path leading to the MoE’s General Certificate in grade 12 includes Maths and Science being taught in English. The mono lingual path based on the MoE’s Arabic syllabus includes Advanced English Language.
Adil Mohammed Bader, Chairman of Iskan Oman, stated: “Iskan Oman has been incorporated to become a leader in the investments sector in the Sultanate of Oman and the GCC at large. It is imperative for an investment company to perform well in an increasingly demanding and challenging environment, and we stand committed to meet challenges by continually refining our capabilities, thereby actively contributing to stimulating the Oman market place and contributing to the society.”
By Staff Reporter
© Oman Daily Observer 2010
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