Aldar Properties, Abu Dhabi’s biggest listed developer, is investing Dh350 million ($95.3 million) to expand its education portfolio across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.
This is in addition to the Dh1 billion investment commitment made by Aldar in 2022 to boost its education portfolio.
As part of the latest investment, Aldar Education will establish Cranleigh Bahrain, marking the company’s first entry into the kingdom.
Cranleigh Bahrain will become the first branded premium school in the country to offer a British International Curriculum when it opens in 2024.
The increased investment also includes the acquisition of Kent College Dubai and Virginia International Private School in Abu Dhabi, Aldar said in a statement on Monday to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, where its shares are traded.
The acquisition of Kent College Dubai, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals, represents Aldar Education’s first entry into Dubai, while it continues to expand in Abu Dhabi with the Virginia International Private School acquisition.
The expansion increases Aldar Education’s student capacity by more than 6,000 seats, with total seats set to reach over 58,000 seats by the academic year 2025/26, according to the company.
“This investment not only demonstrates our commitment to transformational growth but also our ability to successfully deliver on building scale and enhancing asset and geographical diversification across our platform,” Jassem Busaibe, chief executive at Aldar Investment, said.
Aldar Education includes Aldar’s entire educational portfolio, with almost 35,000 students across 28 operated and managed schools and a growing network of 4,600 educators with a wide range of curricula and a teacher training academy.
"Through this expansion, we are enhancing our ability to have a positive impact on students across the UAE and the wider region," Sahar Cooper, chief executive at Aldar Education, said.
Aldar Education plans to further enhance the quality of education at Kent College Dubai and Virginia International Private School by improving the facilities and infrastructure.
Established in 2016, Kent College Dubai offers a comprehensive range of educational curricula, including the British curriculum, International Baccalaureate Diploma, and BTEC programmes in performing arts, sports, and business.
Located in Shakhbout City in Abu Dhabi, Virginia International Private School is an American curriculum school catering to students from kindergarten through the elementary and secondary levels.
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5pm Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
5.30pm Abu Dhabi Colts Classic Prestige | Dh110,000 | 1,400m
6pm Abu Dhabi Championship Listed | Dh180,000 | 1,600m
6.30pm Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
7.30pm Handicap (TB) |Dh100,000 | 2,400m
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
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Torque: 250Nm
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Matthew Weiner,
Canongate
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
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Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
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FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
