Star pupils across the UAE are celebrating A-level results day success as they set their sights on a university challenge.
Thousands of learners flocked to schools to discover their grades with teachers, parents and classmates, as others logged online to find out their marks.
Schools in the UAE began to issue results at 11am on Thursday.
An anxious summer-long wait was made even more nerve-racking by reports that 2023 results would drop to pre-pandemic levels, after soaring grades in recent years.
The number of A* and A grades recorded in schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland was 27.2 per cent - down from 44.8 per cent during the pandemic.
The annual tests are key to securing preferred university places next month.
There was delight for many and disappointment for others amid this year's stricter assessment measures.
Relief for Abu Dhabi pupil
Haroun Ouali, a pupil at Repton Abu Dhabi, may have fallen short of his own high standards but still had much to celebrate.
He earned three As and one A*, which was enough to book his place at Brunel University London, where he will study medicine.
“I expected more A*s but I'm glad this is over,” said Haroun, from Canada.
His mother Rabeb Mizouni was full of pride at his achievements.
“Proud, proud. He should be proud of what he got. He worked really hard,” she said.
Other pupils at the school were disappointed at missing out on top A grades, in keeping with a tougher global picture for pupils this year.
Sharadhi Somayaji, a pupil at The British School Al Khubairat in the capital, is also aiming to make her mark in medicine, at Imperial College London.
She said she was "very happy" with her return of three A grades and one A*, as well as an additional A* in Extended Project Qualification, which is equivalent to 50 per cent of an A-level grade.
“I got what I wanted. I only have my family and teachers to thank,” said Sharadhi.
A world of opportunity
High achievers at Safa Community School in Dubai are set to broaden their horizons after results day trepidation turned to triumph.
Taline Chahine, who clinched one A* and two As in mathematics, physics and chemistry, will continue her education journey at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, where she will study chemical engineering.
Fellow pupil Esha Amin is off to the University of York in England to study environmental science, thanks to a pair of A*s and a B in her exams.
Eylul Sisman, with two As and a B, will study medicine in Australia.
Youseff Abdelsalam, who secured an A* and two As, will study computer science at the University of Birmingham in England.
Fellow Safa pupil Adam Abdelfattah is also Birmingham-bound, as two A*s and a B earned him a place to study mechanical engineering.
Prakhar Narula, with three As, will attend the University of Dundee in Scotland to study medicine.
Alex Van Schendel, who achieved two As and one B, will attend the University of Groningen in the Netherlands to study European law.
Brighton College Al Ain said 40 per cent of its pupils who won university places will go on to study medicine.
Among those pursuing other fields is Zaid Magdub, who will read law at the University of Oxford.
Top results despite forecast
Taaleem, one of the largest private education operators in the country, reported its schools have bucked the expected trend.
Rebecca Gray, the group's director of education, paid tribute to the hard work of pupils who enjoyed a 100 per cent rate.
"This year, we witnessed our largest cohort yet at our UK curriculum schools," said Ms Gray.
"Their resilience and tenacity, especially in an academic year marked by global predictions of lower awards, are highly commendable. We are elated to report a 100 per cent pass rate among our schools, a testament to the hard work of both our students, staff and the unwavering support of parents."
She said pupils earned places at prestigious universities, including St Andrews, London School of Economics, and Durham University.
Gems Education said more than 1,600 pupils at 20 schools in UAE and Qatar sat A-level exams this year.
It highlighted impressive results from a number of schools, including Gems Jumeirah College and Gems Wellington Academy Al Khail, despite a predicted downturn in grades globally.
At Wellington, 21 per cent of 138 exam entries returned an A* or A grade.
“Much has been said about the anticipated adjustment following the grade inflation of the Covid years, and while results around the world certainly indicate that this has materialised, at Gems Education we are delighted to note that our students have nonetheless risen to the challenge and achieved outstanding results," said Dr Saima Rana, chief education officer for Gems Education.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Profile
Co-founders of the company: Vilhelm Hedberg and Ravi Bhusari
Launch year: In 2016 ekar launched and signed an agreement with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi. In January 2017 ekar launched in Dubai in a partnership with the RTA.
Number of employees: Over 50
Financing stage: Series B currently being finalised
Investors: Series A - Audacia Capital
Sector of operation: Transport
About Seez
Company name/date started: Seez, set up in September 2015 and the app was released in August 2017
Founder/CEO name(s): Tarek Kabrit, co-founder and chief executive, and Andrew Kabrit, co-founder and chief operating officer
Based in: Dubai, with operations also in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon
Sector: Search engine for car buying, selling and leasing
Size: (employees/revenue): 11; undisclosed
Stage of funding: $1.8 million in seed funding; followed by another $1.5m bridge round - in the process of closing Series A
Investors: Wamda Capital, B&Y and Phoenician Funds
Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Mamo Year it started: 2019 Founders: Imad Gharazeddine, Asim Janjua Based: Dubai, UAE Number of employees: 28 Sector: Financial services Investment: $9.5m Funding stage: Pre-Series A Investors: Global Ventures, GFC, 4DX Ventures, AlRajhi Partners, Olive Tree Capital, and prominent Silicon Valley investors. More from Neighbourhood Watch
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Muguruza's singles career in stats
WTA titles 3
Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)
Wins / losses 293 / 149
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year
2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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The specs: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Price, base: Dh198,300
Engine: 2.0L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
Pushkin Press
About Krews
Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Real Madrid (2) v Bayern Munich (1)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When: 10.45pm, Tuesday
Watch Live: beIN Sports HD
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
Ticket prices
General admission Dh295 (under-three free)
Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free
Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Six large-scale objects on show
- Concrete wall and windows from the now demolished Robin Hood Gardens housing estate in Poplar
- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
- A stagecloth for The Ballet Russes that is 10m high – the largest Picasso in the world
- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
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Company Profile
Name: JustClean
Based: Kuwait with offices in other GCC countries
Launch year: 2016
Number of employees: 130
Sector: online laundry service
Funding: $12.9m from Kuwait-based Faith Capital Holding
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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