21st July 2019
Britannica's parent company, Orbital Education has signed a joint venture agreement for the founding and operation of a British style international school on the prestigious Pearl development, Doha in the State of Qatar.
The school’s name will be United School International, and it will become the second major school in the city of Doha to join the Orbital family. Last September the highly acclaimed and beautifully appointed Oryx International School opened in partnership with Qatar Airlines. The new school’s curriculum, catering for children 3 to 18 years will be based on the English National curriculum. There will be accommodation for 2,500 students and most of the teaching staff will be recruited from the UK.
The Pearl development is built on land reclaimed from the Persian Gulf. It is an island but connected to the rest of the city by a four-lane causeway. Because of its position, its beautiful architecture and facilities it is the most desirable location for both expatriate and local Qatar families in the city of Doha. There is a combination of spacious high-rise apartments and luxurious villas currently housing a population of 33,000. When finally completed in two years’ time this will have risen to around 50,000.
Orbital’s will be the first school on the Pearl.
In the presence of H.E. Mr. Ajay Sharma, the British Ambassador to the State of Qatar, the contract was sign by Kevin McNeany Executive Chairman of Orbital Education and by Mr. Ibrahim Jassim Al-Othman, UDC President and Chief Executive Officer. UDC is a highly successful Qatari public company and is master developer of the Pearl.
The Ambassador said: “I am delighted to congratulate UDC and Orbital Education on this great education collaboration. I am pleased that the British Embassy and the Department of International Trade in Qatar have supported a venture having such an excellent outcome. The Pearl needs a quality school and I am pleased that Orbital education, one of the UK’s leading operators, is now in position will deliver it’
Orbital’s Chairman Kevin McNeany said, “We are proud to partner with UDC in the foundation of this world class school and to expand our successful presence in the State of Qatar with the addition of this stunning new school to our global portfolio”.
Mr. Ibrahim Jassim Al-Othman, UDC President said: “The designation of Orbital Education as the operator of United School International reflects UDC’s commitment to offering the very best educational services and internationally recognized curricula’.
The initial model of the school can be seen below.