The 10 Best International Schools in Dubai 2018

1. T H E www.theknowledgereview.com TM NOWLEDGEREVIEW NOWLEDGEREVIEW Education. Innovation. Success December 2018 The Best International Schools in Dubai 2018 The American School of Dubai A Legacy of Excellence

4. Editorial Editorial I foundation for any construction. Stronger the foundation is, better the structures can be built upon it. Our lives are not very different from constructional procedures. If we consider our livelihood, career and success as building structures in our lives; the childhood and teenage become analogous to the foundation of these structures. It goes without saying that the foundation, i.e. the early stages of our life, should be properly nurtured and strengthened to ensure a successful life and career ahead. n proverbial terms, quite often it is said that the possible height of any building under construction is determined by the first few bricks laid in its foundation. This clearly emphasizes on the importance of Quality school education is the most important method of strengthening the foundation of our lives. It plays a great role in everyone’s life. Quality education is necessary for all to go ahead in the life and get success. It develops confidence and helps building personality of a person. Not just it has impact on our mindset and persona, education also helps bringing the positive attitudes in our way of living. The things we learn during our school days have everlasting imprints on our lives. And, these learning are not just limited to the books and classrooms only. There exists a plethora of lessons and leanings hidden in every nook and corner of school. The school environment itself, if properly taken care of, is a sea of life-time experiences one can take benefit of. Toughened Foundations & Towering Heights Across the world, the education has become very diverse, with several schools representing a variety of international curriculum systems. Nowadays, the world is becoming extremely interconnected and hence the demand of global educational availability is on the rise. While education has its own importance and benefits, the quality of education decides the type of person we would become in the future. So, the thrust shall not only be to ensure a foundation of education for name-sake. Mere putting-in the bricks in foundation will not ensure its strength. We shall strive for its high quality as well. We shall make continuous efforts to develop, re-invent and innovate the meaning of education and methods of educating. This will augment the of our life’s toughness foundation towering heights structures with escalating and enable us to make of successes upon it. T R

5. T H E TM NOWLEDGEREVIEW NOWLEDGEREVIEW Education. Innovation. Success Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Anish Miller Senior Editor Managing Editor Crescent CU Executive Editor Stella Andrew Contributing Editors Aishwarya, Nupur, Ryan Visualiser David King Art & Design Head Amol Kamble Art & Design Assistant Co-designer Art Picture Editor & Shweta Ambilwade Paul Belin Mayur Business Development Manager Marketing Manager Marry D’Souza Phill Miller Business Development Executive Sandra, Amanda Sales Executives Amy, Frank, John, Helen, Steve, Kevin Technical Head Jacob Smile Assistant Technical Head Swapnil Patil Technical Consultants Vivek, David, Robert Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege Assistant Marketing Manager Digital Prashant Chevale SME-SMO Executives Rahul, Gemson, Swati Research Analyst Eric Smith Circulation Manager Tanaji sales@insightssuccess.com December 2018 Insights Success Media Tech LLC 555 Metro Place North, Suite 100,Dublin, OH 43017, United States Phone - (614)-602-1754 th Off. No. 513 & 510, 5 Flr., Rainbow Plaza, Shivar Chowk, Pimple Saudagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411017 Phone - India: +91 7410079881/ 82/ 83/ 84/ 85 Email: info@insightssuccess.in For Subscription: www.insightssuccess.in Copyright © 2018 Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd., All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd. The Knowledge Review is powered by Insights Success Media and Technology Pvt. Ltd.

6. CONTENTS 10 The American School of Dubai: A Legacy of Excellence 26 Edu Talk TInuence of Technology on Education 26 42 Expert Viewpoint Pharmacy Education in UAE: Are we moving in the right direction? 42 cxo 64 50 Educator,s Viewpoint Today's Learners – Tomorrow's Leaders 64

7. 34 Editor's choice ARTICLE Gain Control over ‘Anxiety’ before it takes a Toll on Your Child's Mental Wellbeing 20 Tour with Clarion School Clarion School: Bringing the Philosophy of Progressive Education to Families of the UAE 30 Dubai International Academy: An Epitome of Perfection and Educational Excellence 38 GEMS International School: Providing an Exceptional Quality Education

8. 46 GEMS The Kindergarten Starters: Preparing Students to become Leaders of Tomorrow 54 Swiss International Scientic School in Dubai An Inclusive School Inspiring Excellence among Students 60 The Apple International School: Creating an Ideal Atmosphere for Nurturing the Talents 68 The Aquila School: Providing Children with Amazing Learning Experiences

10. e 10 T h Best T R International Schools In Dubai 2018 The 10 Best International Schools in Dubai 2018 Dubai, a city well known for its global standards of living and widely renowned as the ‘Business Hub’ of the Middle East. The city is reaching towering heights of development with striking similarities to the famous structure of Burz Khalifa standing tall on its own land. In the last few decades the city has witnessed a huge influx of immigrants on the account of better livelihood and alluring business opportunities. This has resulted into a significant portion of city’s population comprised solely of foreigners, expatriates and immigrants. The regional development of Dubai can definitely be attributed to the developed population inhabited on its lands. Courtesy to the composition of its population, the role of expatriates in Dubai’s growth is always talked with very high regards. Hence, the expatriates and immigrants are definitely vital cogs in Dubai’s development, and so is their education and educational needs per se. International Schools have established themselves as one-stop-solution for meeting global standards of education across the world. In this issue of The 10 Best International Schools in Dubai 2018, we have highlighted the institutions of the region having impeccable educational standards, and their relentless contributions towards nurturing next generations of Dubai. On the cover of the edition, we have American School of Dubai: A Rich Network of High-Quality International Education Along with such an interesting Cover Story, we have enlisted various other institutions, which are creating major influence in the world of education. Among them, a few are Philosophy of Progressive Education to Families of the UAE; Dubai International Academy: An Epitome of Perfection and Educational Excellence; GEMS International School: Providing an Exceptional Quality Education; Swiss International Scientific School of Dubai: An Inclusive School Inspiring Excellence among Students; The Apple International School: Creating an Ideal Atmosphere for Nurturing the Talents; The Aquila School: Providing Children with Amazing Learning Experiences; The Kindergarten Starters: Preparing Students to become Leaders of Tomorrow. Clarion School : Bringing the It’s time to flip the pages and enjoy an edu-informational experience with a feeling of reading pleasure. T R

12. COVER STORY VER STORY VER STOR

13. e 10 T h Best T R International Schools In Dubai 2018 AMERICAN SCHOOL of Dubai The A Legacy of Exce?ence

14. A contribute in a rapidly changing world. believe that their strengths and passions deserve to be developed, and that they can be instigators of change. My graduating class has students that have developed apps to combat malnutrition, spent their summers doing investigative journalism with the New York Times, and published books. Few other institutions disseminate the message of empowerment as strongly as ASD, and it is what makes the school so exceptional in every regard. While it will be difficult to leave, I look forward to taking the lessons that I have learned here outside of the context of the school, and will look back on my time at ASD as having laid the foundation for who I have become”, are the words of Lauren Sproule, (12 grade, Class of 2019), aASD Student since Kindergarten SD’s Mission: To challenge and inspire each student to achieve their dreams and to become a passionate learner prepared to adapt and The American School of Dubai (ASD) is an independent, not-for-profit, K-12 US curriculum school deeply rooted in the past, having been established in 1966—even before the United Arab Emirates was formally established. And yet, ASD is firmly fixed on the future. Positioning itself as a leader in sustainability for the region, ASD recently won a prestigious Expo 2020 Sustainability Champions award and is a finalist for the Zayed Sustainability Prize— the first in the U.A.E. to receive that honor in the eleven-year history of the prize and to be awarded in January, 2019.The visionary, progressive leadership is making a case to rebrand homework as home learning, and is implementing an impressive strategic plan to make every student future ready. th A Celebrated History The American School of Dubai was established by the Dubai Petroleum Company to provide education for the children of their expatriate personnel from the United States. The school opened in an apartment in Deira with eleven students and two teachers. By 1975, the school enrolled approximately 500 students, had a staff of 83, and became accredited by the Middle States and Southern Associations of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In 1976, the school opened under a new name, the Jumairah American School (JAS). The school’s name was changed again to the American School of Dubai (ASD) in 1992, and the campus was relocated to Al Barsha in 2011. This school year, ASD welcomed approximately 1,900 new and returning students representing more than 75 nationalities. “Entering my final year at ASD, I am able to affectionately reflect on my past fourteen years here, with an appreciation for all of the knowledge and character that ASD has instilled in me. There is no question that the academic facets of the school are phenomenal, but the truly exceptional aspects of the school are those that can’t be summarized in statistics. Students travel to China for global issues conferences, hold English tutoring sessions for workers on campus, and harvest vegetables from our organic garden; not because they are asked to, but because ASD has empowered them to

15. The program includes a combination of core subjects along with encore (specialist classes such as Arabic language, art, music, and physical education. Library and computer technology skills are integrated into the homerooms. The Elementary School Library hosts the annual Visiting Authors where ASD students and parents have the opportunity to meet renowned authors, attend their workshops and sessions, and gain insights into supporting students’ reading. ASD celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016, and now has more than 10,000 alumni living, working, and making a difference in communities across the globe. ASD also hosts a number of alumni legacy families—a 'second generation’ family, in that one or both parents attended ASD as a student. ASD has five legacy alumni as part of their current faculty and staff—past students that returned to ASD to give back. ASD parents often extend their involvement beyond the years that their children attend the school, which speaks to the strength of its parent community. Once a Falcon, Always a Falcon! The Middle School The daily instructional program of the middle school is designed to support the core values of ASD: Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Respect, and Responsibility. Nicky Daryani, a member of the Board of Trustee (alumni) quotes, “ASD has been my second home for the last 29 years. I was a student here and now an alumni and involved ASD parent. I've learned so much from ASD and it has a special place in my heart. This school has played a key part in who I am today and what I have achieved. I've met some great people here that are still my closest friends today. Thank you ASD!” Starting with the organization and bonding of a daily advisory group, the students charge off into a rich program of core courses, language, music, visual and performing arts electives, and fascinating exploratory courses. In addition to a strong academic program, the Middle School offers a wide variety of after-school activities and clubs. Academic Programs for Future-Ready Students The Elementary School The capstone of the ASD Middle School experience is the Week Without Walls (WWW) program, a week-long educational travel experience distinguished by promoting global awareness and opportunities to learn through service. Based on a solid curricular foundation, WWW extends its students’ academic skills to authentic, real- The Elementary School provides a warm and caring atmosphere where students collaborate constructively, think creatively, reason critically, and communicate effectively.

16. The High School’s INSPIRE week is an initiative which extends the ASD classroom experience beyond the school walls to over twenty countries. Through a series of local and international trip experiences, students are encouraged to challenge assumptions, explore passions, transform relationships, and build community. Each trip has a focus on academics, art and culture, eco- adventure, leadership, or service. challenging college preparatory program, offering what is best about the U.S. education by providing learning experiences that promote the maximum potential of students. ASD is aligned with Common Core State Standards and follows a Standards- Based grading scale helping to prepare students for college and careers. life experiences occurring outside the traditional classroom; and develops students’ understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity, different environments, and international awareness. Students participate in service learning activities that directly impact the communities they visit—such as planting trees in Greece or visiting community outreach programs in South Africa. High School students can choose from the many core and elective courses, including Advanced Placement (AP) and Virtual High School (VHS) online course offerings. In total, ASD students have over 300 high school courses to choose from. ASD is the only school in the UAE that offers the AP Capstone™, a two-year diploma program developed by the College Board. A Culturally Vibrant Student Life The students at the American School of Dubai can pursue their interests with numerous extracurricular opportunities in the Arts, Athletics, and Campus Recreation—and help support their community through campus sustainability initiatives and Service Learning. With world-class facilities, ASD is able to take advantage of local and international The High School The High School is a learning ecosystem that nurtures students to be passionate learners and compassionate leaders. ASD’s High School provides a

17. schools and a one-day championship tournament during the latter part of the season, and the Middle East South Asia Conference Schools Activities Conference (MESAC) which member schools host on a rotating basis. Interscholastic athletics programs give students the educational benefits of athletic competition, developing lifelong values—and add life to the community. Campus Recreation The campus recreation supports the school's mission by providing a wide variety of positive and healthy activities for students, parents, faculty, and staff to foster and encourage a healthy, active lifestyle. Activities are offered throughout the year for students and the adult community in sports, fitness, intramurals, and creative arts. for Music in International Schools (AMIS) and the Middle East South Asia Conference (MESAC) festivals. AMIS sponsors a variety of music festivals designed to benefit students in international schools. These events take place in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. MESAC provides ASD music students an opportunity to collaborate with other students in the region. These events take place in India, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. arts opportunities which serve to enhance, enrich, and extend learning opportunities to students. Let’s have a glimpse of student life at ASD: Creative Arts Each school division also offers a variety of after-school programs, clubs, and activities to give students the opportunity to be active, learn new skills, develop leadership, and have fun. More than 85 percent of ASD students from K1 to Grade 12 participate in extracurricular activities, student organizations, athletics, and clubs. The American School of Dubai offers a wide range of visual and performing arts to elementary, middle, and high school students. They may opt for dance, music, visual arts, theatre, acting, choir, and band. The ASD Theatre is a state of the art, professional facility seating 630, and one of the finest in the Middle East. With exceptional acoustics, the theatre is used to showcase campus events such as plays, concerts and dance recitals, as well as host special guest performances. ASD participates in the Association Athletics The Athletics program supports over 1,150 athletic opportunities in 14 different sports within 53 different teams over three seasons of sports. ASD student-athletes participate in two conferences: The Emirates Athletics Conference (EAC), which organizes weekly competitive exchanges amongst the member Service Learning Service learning is integral to the school's mission and core values and woven into the K-12 curriculum. It is defined by student agency, inquiry, and collaboration through a process

18. ASDMUN: Last year, ASD students welcomed more than 150 student delegates, 20 offices, 15 security and press members, and countless volunteers to engage in the third annual ASD Model United Nations (ASDMUN). During the conference, students created platform for debate and resolutions to address some of the world's most pressing problems. for new families, annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat Night, Wild Wadi Nights, Santa’s Workshop, Carnival, Staff Appreciation Week, Speaker Series for Parents, and more. of investigation, planning, action, reflection, and demonstration to address authentic needs. Whether engaging in global issues, working in the school's Sustainable garden, or participating in school-related sustainable change, ASD students of all ages have the opportunity to develop the critical consciousness necessary for informed action. Arts programs through Creative Arts Support Team (CAST): Parent volunteers are involved in make-up, photography, publicity, costumes, ticket sales, baking, sewing, organizing and hosting events, as well as identifying special guests to enrich student learning. Dubai Youth Film Festival: The second annual Dubai Youth Film Festival took place in June. Organized and hosted by ASD high school students, DYFF promotes student passions in digital media, movie, art and photography. The event is a fantastic opportunity to view youth-developed films from students in the Middle East, and enjoy a great evening of entertainment. Student-led Service Clubs: At the elementary school service is often something found inside the classroom. In grades 4 and 5 the first student clubs are available to our upper elementary students. By MS a number of service clubs exist, often led by an advisor and supported by the students. By HS there are many organizations engaging with the school and wider community. By this age it is expected that students are taking the leadership role in their organization with a “guide on the side” approach by their advisor. Activities to enrich the experience of student-athletes: These activities are basically for the Under 14, Junior Varsity and Varsity teams, coaches and athletic department. Parent–and even student–volunteers in Booster Club organizes and hosts sports banquets to celebrate athletic team achievements, operates the spirit store and Falcon’s Nest concession stand. They recruit hundreds of parents to serve as team parents and volunteer at culminating athletic events including MESAC and others. ASD Community Events The Terry Fox Run: An important community event, The Terry Fox Run for Cancer Research event supports the Terry Fox Foundation and its efforts to continue the legacy of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. Proceeds from the event are used to support peer- reviewed cancer research projects in the UAE. Visionary Leadership Dr. Paul Richards, the Superintendent of the American School of Dubai, holds an Ed.M A Tight-knit Community ASD prides itself on its family atmosphere and strong sense of community. Faculty members, staff, parents, and alumni often coach and lead activities, further strengthening the home-parent-school bond. ASD families are highly engaged and often volunteer in: Student-led Special Events TEDxYouth@ASD: ASD students will host the third annual TEDxYouth this year. The conference provides an opportunity to learn from many talented and experienced speakers and innovators who wish to speak about their passions. PTSA community events: These events include the Welcome Coffee

19. from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.S. from University of Massachusetts. He also holds an MBSR from the Center for Mindfulness, and has almost 20 years of experience teaching. Under his leadership, ASD recently announced the three-year Strategic Plan. The ASD Board of Trustees works closely and in conjunction with the Superintendent. The Board is a group of dedicated volunteer members of the ASD community responsible for the overall governance and strategic oversight of the school. Their combined talents are focused to support the school's mission and ensure the fiscal sustainability of ASD. The ASD Pathways ASD is making a case to rebrand homework as home learning, and implementing an impressive strategic plan to make every student future ready. ASD will ensure each student is future-ready through a highly relevant educational program based on flexible approaches, an emphasis on student voice and choice, and by providing students additional opportunities to go deeper in learning relevant to the 21st century. The ASD Pathways include the following curriculum options: Technology & Innovation (STEM), Global/Internationalism, Business & Entrepreneurship, Language Bilingualism (Arabic), and Performance (Arts & Athletics). Achievements in Sustainability Positioning itself as a leader in sustainability, ASD won a prestigious Expo 2020 Sustainability Champions award in the spring of this year. Chosen from more than 100 participating schools, ASD received photovoltaic panels plus support for their sustainability initiatives. More recently, ASD has become a finalist for the Zayed Sustainability Prize, Global High Schools Category (MENA Region). The award, which will be presented in January 2019, celebrates achievements that are driving impact, innovation, and inspiration across five distinct categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, and Global High Schools.T R

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21. e 10 T h Best T R International Schools In Dubai 2018 URL Name of the Institution Location of the Institution Al Barsha 1, Hessa St. 1st Al Khail, Opp Saudi German Hospital - Dubai - United Arab Emirates www.asdubai.org American School of Dubai Corner of Al Asayel and 13D Streets, Dubai, UAE clarionschool.com Clarion School Near Orient Insurance Building? Dubai Festival City - Al Badia Blvd - Dubai - United Arab Emirates https://www.disdubai.ae/ Deira International School Dubai - United Arab Emirates www.diadubai.com Dubai International Academy www.gemsinternationalschool-alkhail.com GEMS International School Dubai, UAE GEMS The Kindergarten Starters Dubai, UAE www.gemskgs.com Dubai Investment Park - 1 - Dubai - United Arab Emirates Nibras International School https://nisdubai.ae/ Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2, near the Creek Metro Station, Dubai  Swiss International Scientic School in Dubai sisd.ae Doha Road, Behind Emirates Driving Institute - Dubai - United Arab Emirates The Apple International School apple.sch.ae Wadi Al Safa 5, Dubailand - Dubai - United Arab Emirates www.theaquilaschool.com The Aquila School

22. Clarion Clarion 20 December | 2018

23. School School Bringing ?e Philosophy of Progressive Education to Families of ?e UAE 21 December | 2018

24. Head of the School Lisa Ripperger is the Principal at Clarion School. Ms. Ripperger joined Clarion and academic achievement. progressive education mission and progressive teaching practice. We in 2018 to take the school, now in its third year, to a new level of organization education models. The future at Clarion is focused on strengthening their In the school's rst two years, the focus was on building the foundations of a practice in an environment of creativity and exploration. A Following the American curriculum, Clarion School, located in the heart of the city near Downtown Dubai, is currently enrolling up to Grade 6, adding a new grade each year to become a full Pre K – Grade 12 school. The unique progressive program and Master’s Degree teachers deeply engage every child in intentional and meaningful learning built on a solid academic foundation. progressive education in an environment predominately offering traditional nurture intellectual curiosity through experiential, constructivist teaching child with a curious mind will forever be empowered for the possibilities of the future. Clarion school ignites and sustains each child’s endless quest for discovery. Learning Beyond Imagination Experiential, constructivist learning are important components of the progressive education practice carried out at Clarion. This is done through both exploration of materials in Clarion’s classrooms and numerous field study trips. These field trips take even the youngest children (PreK) beyond the classroom walls to see how the world of ideas and concepts learned in the classroom are expressed in reality. 22 December | 2018

25. Tour with Clarion School The school has been designed from the ground up as a haven for curiosity and inquiry. Classrooms and outdoor learning spaces have been planned to stimulate self-driven, deep learning, with spaces to encourage students to construct and deconstruct learning. Academic program Clarion is a progressive American curriculum, currently PreK to Grade 5 growing by one grade level each year to become a full-through school, PreK to Grade 12. The early year’s program, PreK to K2 is a world of curiosity, exploration and exuberant guided play. Combined with curriculum goals and the beginning of numeracy, literacy and science studies, Clarion nurtures the early development of critical thinking skills and the foundation of a lifetime of exploration and deeper learning. In the elementary school framework, the curriculum is one of the integrated disciplines and lessons combining literacy, research skills and writing, mathematical reasoning, scientific method and creative thinking. The school is known for their many field trips that are offered to the students, when experiential, hands-on learning takes knowledge beyond the classroom to understand the link from theoretical to reality. Next year the school will begin its Middle School with the opening of Grade 6. Within a strong academic program, will be critical discussions, nuanced learning, creative thinking, independent learning and research. The middle school years should be ones of growing self- awareness, self-reflection and self-responsibility, strengthening the ability to think critically and the development of collaboration and communication skills. Afterschool Offerings The school supports and expands student’s interests through exposure to new activities and deepening their involvement in activities they are already engaged in through a range afterschool and extra-curricular events. The school has been recently admitted into the Dubai Affiliated School Sports Association (DASSA), the organization that manages inter-school sports in Dubai. Their first school team, under 11s football, is a mixed group of girls and boys, allowing for greater participation by both genders. The school will soon start its swimming team and track & field team with league level swim galas and track competitions. 23 December | 2018

26. The Clarion internal afterschool program offers a wide array of activities from sports to storytelling and is offered from K1 to G5. PreK students have a sibling club at the end of their day offering arts and crafts. Initiatives that Support Education Clarion has organized a program of talks and activities under the name of Clarion Commons. The purpose is to establish a progressive learning community for adults aligned to the school’s progressive mission. Among events Clarion Commons has hosted are the annual Harvard/Oxbridge debate, the annual Innovation in Education talk held with speakers from the global business community and Harvard, film screenings, notably “Most likely to succeed” the documentary examining education in America and re-imagining schools, talks by international educators and thinkers such as Grant Lichtman and Dr. Shafali Tsabury. For school age children, Clarion School initiated and holds the annual Clarion Hackathon, this year re-named Da Vinci Day. All Dubai schools are invited to participate in this event, where students are challenged to use design thinking to solve a real world problem. 24 December | 2018

27. Children present their solutions using the medium of their choice, from robotics and coding to drawing and painting, to demonstrate their critical decision making and thinking processes as they search for solutions to the real-world problem of the day. Operating Organization Scholars International Group (SIG) is the parent corporation for Clarion School. Itis an organization that is dedicated to providing high quality, achievement- orientated schools, where educators are empowered to create environments that provide an unparalleled education for children. Founded just over 40 years ago when they opened their first nursery, which later grew to become the respected Dubai Scholars Private School, SIG has founded three schools. Ten years ago they opened Scholars International Academy and in 2016, their newest school, ClarionSchool, was opened.The mission of the organization has remained the same - to enrich the education provision for the children of the UAE through high-quality schools and educational leadership. T R 25 December | 2018

28. Edu Talk Influence of Technology on Education About the Author Nadia Awaida is the Associate Professor of education and coordinator of the teaching diploma programme. She earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida. Her research focuses on intercultural competence, diversity, and classroom implications. She is passionate about promoting 21 century skills in education and considers intercultural awareness to be a governing force in our global time. She has over 12 years of teaching experience in the United States and tshe MENA region. st Nadia Awaida Associate Professor 26 December | 2018

29. I n this era of time and space compressions, social connections are empowered by an explosion of technological advancements that mandate reframing our views of technology in the classroom. Technological advancements enlightened and conquered. It broadened possibilities and accelerated achievements. Major technological innovations are evident in various aspects of our lives. Today, voice-controlled assistants help in setting clocks and adjusting home thermostats, smartphone applications allow sharing images across the globe in an instant, and artificial Intelligence guide driving, predict purchasing habits, and provide real-time traffic updates. Big data analytics is fundamentally shaping our lives. Smart cities use information and communication technologies to improve efficiency of operations and services. communication among students resulting in problem solving skills crucial in the professional world. Flipped classrooms requires interactive learning and collective work. In flipped classrooms, the content is learned outside the class, while classroom time is allocated for students working together on assignments. Technological pedagogy in the classroom aids in student autonomy. Students independently progress in mastering concepts. Customized curriculum accommodates students' learning styles and needs. Interactive books and testing platforms adapt to students' level and offer personalized activities and assessments. While education should continue to prepare students for future careers, this generation grew up using tablets and smart phones. Employing technology in the classroom fosters digital literacy and digital citizenship skills such as responsibility, time management, confidence and kindness. This same technology is altering teaching as we know it, marking a paradigm shift and ushering a new era in education. Educators are already implementing Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) in classrooms to achieve learning outcomes. Integrating technology in teaching enrich learning experience by supporting teachers and providing students with 21 century skills. Academic institutions should facilitate the integration of technology in the classroom to empower faculty and teaching staff. It is important to offer pedagogical workshops and training in technological pedagogical knowledge. This knowledge focuses on ways to enhance teaching and learning through technology. It includes pedagogical feasibility of technological tools related to specific discipline. Another approach is to introduce learning management systems that allow faculty to integrate e-learning into the curriculum. st While traditional teaching methods necessitate the instructor to occupy center stage with little or no student interaction, modern teaching methodologies call for greater student engagement. Integrating technology into our classrooms promote active learning, collaboration, autonomy and life-long skills. Traditional teaching and learning methodology are inevitably evolving with the influx of technology in our classroom nowadays. Educators continue to develop products that enhance students learning. Data generated from apps and programs provide insight into student progress and offer specific personalized recommendations to enhance student performance. The teacher becomes a guide and coach steering students through the learning process while providing support at the appropriate time. Active learning, a technique that engages students in the learning process, promotes student classroom participation and involvement. Technology made this involvement conceivable. Simulation software such as virtual reality and 3D models allow students to visually observe the object of study, interact with processes, components, and analyze the fundamentals of the investigated object. Developing intercultural competence is crucial in the 21 century. It is described as the active pursuit to understand and accept others through interaction and communication especially outside one's own environment. Through virtual communities, students create products, communicate, and teach each other anywhere around the world. This provides heightened awareness, understanding and tolerance of diverse views. st Education today extends beyond bricks and mortar. Technology offers exciting opportunity for life-long learning, a keystone of a progressive society. It empowers individuals to acquire new skills thus building capacity and transforming knowledge into outcomes. Educational institutions are regarding technology an integral component of teaching and learning. Faculty are encouraged to view this as a tool to customize knowledge transfer and address various student needs. This empowers students and facilitates their success. T R Technology enables increased collaboration in the classroom. Collaboration constitutes effective 27 December | 2018

31. INTRODUCING THE FIRST IN UAE AND GULF REGION COLLEGE OF HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS ADMISSIONS OPEN • Internationally recognized Program. • Accredited by Ministry of Education, UAE. • Embedded within a Reputed Medical University. • Training in a strong network of Hospitals and partnerships with international universities. BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS EXECUTIVE MASTER IN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS Tel: +971 (6) 7030691/92, 94, 95, 96, 78 • E-mail: admissions@gmu.ac.ae, W Tel: +971 (6) 7030691/92, 94, 95, 96, 78 • E-mail: admissions@gmu.ac.ae, W Tel: +971 (6) 7030691/92, 94, 95, 96, 78 • E-mail: admissions@gmu.ac.ae, W T .gmu.ac.ae .gmu.ac.ae

32. Dubai International Academy I build a better world through intercultural understanding and respect and we are committed to the development of students according to the IB learner profile attributes. nternational Baccalaureate Schools develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. As a flourishing, top-quality IB World School we share educational standards and practices for philosophy, organisation and curriculum that create and sustain an authentic global learning community. We develop students who Located in the Emirates Hills area of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dubai International Academy is the first school in the UAE to be authorized by the Geneva based International Baccalaureate to offer the full continuum of the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme and the Careers Related Programme. The IB pedagogy and ethos is embedded throughout these programmes. Established in September 2005, the school prepares students for leadership roles in a world where change remains the only constant. DIA is fortunate to have a very diverse, international group of students and staff from over 80 countries. The teachers are experienced, well-qualified and committed to continuing professional development. DIA is an IB World School, accredited by the Council of International School (CIS) and NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges). It is a member of MEIBA (Middle East IB Association), THIMUN (The Hague International Model United Nations) and NESA (Near East South Asia Council of Overseas Schools). DIA is also one of the first schools in the UAE to be awarded the prestigious Green Flag by Eco-Schools UAE. Students studying in the MYP and DP Curriculums achieved the schools best ever results in 2018. In the Middle Years Programme over 83% of students achieved above the world average point score and in the Diploma Programme, 84% of students achieved above the world average with 13% of students scoring more than 40 points. Students across all years make outstanding academic progress in relation to their starting points. DIA takes pride in their students’ University placements at top ranking universities in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and 38 countries worldwide. This year $5million dollars has been offered in the form of scholarships from US Universities and 10 students are through to the Oxbridge interview stage. Last academic year every child who applied to university obtained a place and 87% of students achieved their first choice place. 30 December | 2018

33. e 10 T h Best T R International Schools In Dubai 2018 Mother Tongue Programme The school promotes, wherever possible, native language instruction to native speaking Dutch, German, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Mandarin, Italian, Chinese, Hindi and French students. These classes take place during the school day and are run by private teachers. As part of the Co-Curricular Programme, DIA also offers the opportunity to all students to learn French, Arabic, Italian, Finnish, Dutch, Greek, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Afrikaans and Urdu. Sports Physical education is taken very seriously at DIA. The school encourages every child to do their best and support the talented by providing plenty of opportunities to develop their skills within and outside the school. DIA PE department was rd distinguished by its 3 position in the UAE for its provision for PE and Sports by the UAE Teen Sports and Fitness Awards 2018. Leadership There are also extensive leadership committees and organisations at DIA involving hundreds of students of all ages. The events held at DIA enable students to be part of a supportive and dynamic environment that includes a Prefect in every homeroom supporting students throughout the school on a daily basis. The Model United Nations (MUN) programme in DIA is a simulation of the United Nations, where students are given the opportunity to act as delegates and debate on current world issues. At DIA, students are also given the opportunity to attend other MUN conferences such as The Hague THIMUN, Qatar THIMUN, THIMUN Singapore, Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) and Johannesburg Model 31 December | 2018

34. United Nations (JOMUN) and CGSMUN in Athens and meet like-minded individuals to collaborate towards finding applicable solutions. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and is open to students over 14. Students can prepare for the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. As a requirement for achieving the Awards, students have to engage in a physical activity, community service and creative activity, for a required number of hours according to their level. At DIA there is a very active programme that supports this fabulous scheme. active programme that supports this fabulous scheme. United Nations (JOMUN) and CGSMUN in like-minded individuals to collaborate towards finding applicable solutions. The Duke of Edinbur A the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards. achieving the activity number of hours according to their level. Diversified Career Opportunities Students at Dubai International Academy have varied interests; and the Counseling Office spends hours matching students to their dream course at university. The school has had a high number of students attending Ivy League colleges in the USA, and Oxbridge in the U.K. Most of the students thrive at first and second tier schools in the USA, and Russel Group in the U.K. From choosing to study Medicine and Law, to Architecture and Business, to Fashion Merchandising and Engineering, the school encourages students to opt for myriad courses all over the world. Even when they leave DIA, the school continues to nurture and assist them through their chosen courses and classes. The students stay in touch with the teachers, and inform them about their placements. Diversified Car Students at Dubai International and the Counseling Office spends hours matching students to their dream course at university number of students attending Ivy League colleges in the USA, and Oxbridge in the U.K. Most of the students thrive at first and second tier schools in the USA, and Russel Group in the U.K. From choosing to study Medicine and Law Business, to Fashion Merchandising and Engineering, the school encourages students to opt for myriad courses all over the world. Even when they leave DIA, the school continues to From the Leader’s Desk James Lynch is the Principal and Jayne Needham is the Vice Principal of the school. Under their leadership the team and staff are a united group with an unwavering focus on continual improvement. Their capacity to innovate, empowers, supports and galvanizes outstanding student outcomes. There are two annual Alumni evenings (DIASPOR) which are very well attended. DIA Alumni take great pleasure and pride in interacting with current students and hold presentations guiding and mentoring them through the entire college application journey. DIA students have gone on and made their mark in various fields. They have found gainful employment in institutions like Apple, Facebook, Google, Linked In, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Barclays Bank, Citibank, and J.P. Morgan just to name a few. “We believe in the importance of strong relationships existing between students, parents and teachers. All students should be encouraged on a daily basis to aim high and follow their dreams, with the notion that hard work is the key driver that enables outstanding academic performance. Equally importantly, we encourage our students to excel and participate in many different sporting, cultural and leadership opportunities. This enables them to develop their personalities and encourages them to be condent and happy individuals. Lifetime Experiences at the School Each student at DIA is exposed to limitless opportunities on a regular basis. From having the ability to join 10+ sports team that are continuously victorious in Innovents Inter-School Competitions, to Primary Science Fairs, Fairytale Ball Overnight Camps, PYP exhibitions and charitable work for the Innoventures ‘GIVE’ Foundation. With a Prefect Body of nearly 50, a new student at DIA is pleasantly surprised by the welcoming and positive, yet sophisticated and academic atmosphere of the school. Students, parents and alumni are also heavily involved in the governance structure within the school. During the break and lunch times, the school’s cafeteria serves healthy and affordable food and students are allowed to sit anywhere in school to enjoy their lunch with their friends. It is also during this time that certain students can be seen playing football in the field or attending meetings for their student organizations such as DiaTech or the Eco Committee. Students need to be in a happy and safe environment. DIA works tirelessly to ensure that there is a strong ethos where kindness and respect prevail. These values then allow the students to become role models to each other and positive, well-grounded citizens who develop as future leaders.-says James Lynch. 32 December | 2018

35. Inclusion at DIA (I-DIA) Dubai International Academy's Learning Support Program consists of six distinct components that work together to ensure each individual student has the necessary tools and support to succeed. These sections include: Mentoring of students with Limited Achievement, College Counseling and University Placement, Special Educational Needs Counseling and Advisement, Academic Enrichment through the GATEway (Gifted and Talented) Program, English as a Second Language, and Student Development through Teacher Training and Professional Development. Life Beyond the Books DIA empowers students to lead initiatives and support one another as they contribute to the greater community. As for annual events, most extra-curricular activities and clubs host at least one annual event. Events range from embracing the school & diversity with an International Evening to more academic oriented events such as ‘Week without Walls’, Careers Day, Job Shadowing Week and the renowned Talent Show! The diverse nature of co-curricular activities and events held at DIA motivate independence and drive students to pursue their dreams with an open-minded and compassionate approach. DIA epitomizes the school’s motto – Dream, Inspire and Achieve.To lift house spirit, the school hosts an annual ‘Battle of the Houses’, a day wherein teachers and students get involved with fun activities and sports. Similarly, Sports Day is a tradition that every student looks forward to, be it because of the teachers versus student’s tug of war or those intense relay races! This is also DIA’s second year hosting events for the 30 x 30 challenge wherein every morning, members of the DIA family gather and get active! Festivities and celebrations come through in events such as the Winter Souk and Staff Appreciation Lunch. The community spirit is truly embraced through entertaining events such as the Family Sports Day, the International Day, the Family Movie Night and of course the annual School Play! Overall, the events held at DIA enable students to be part of a supportive and dynamic environment. In conclusion, Dubai International is a high-performing, all-through IB school committed to ensuring that all aspects of the IB Learner profile are developed and celebrated in our students and throughout our community.T R 33 December | 2018

36. 34 December | 2018

37. Editor's choice C unknowingly into the unpleasant net of anxiety. While many believe that being anxious is normal, few studies also reflect that if a child gets anxious about a particular event for long, the chances to develop depression becomes high. There is a Difference between ‘Anxiety’ and ‘Depression’ hildhood is the most crucial period in a student's entire journey as it is the phase where a child learns new skills, makes new friends, expose to the outside world and encounters different challenges. Sometimes, due to some bad experiences, pressure of performing well in exams or other activities also traps the children Many people often get confused with these terms which hold a different meaning altogether. Anxiety is a mild problem which if not cured on time leads to a much serious problem i.e. depression. If a child shows symptoms of excessive worry, restlessness, fatigue, trouble in concentrating, irritability, sleep disturbance, or muscle tension, chances are that the child is going through anxiety disorder. While in depression, the child shows the signs of depressing mood, lack of interest in enjoyable activities, increase or decrease in appetite, insomnia, slow movement, lack in energy/enthusiasm, guilt, worthlessness, and even much critical suicidal thoughts and behaviours. According to a study, a shocking revelation was unearthed that almost 50% of the cases of depression are also diagnosed with depression. Therefore, it is crucial to understand and take over anxiety before it takes a toll on your childre’s mental health. Moreover, not taking the symptoms of anxiety seriously can only results in student’s poor performance and harmful behaviours like substance abuse. 35 December | 2018

38. Limits the Learning Curve phobia. Children who suffer from this disorder usually cry, freeze up and cling to an adult when the intensity of their fear soars high. Most of the children have (some of) phobia of animals, storms, needles, loud sounds, and enclosed spaces. While stress to a certain extent can sometimes help students to have better attention and focus while studying , anxiety causes negative effect on cognitive functioning. Study shows that students suffering from severe anxiety levels perform quite low as compared to other students. Moreover, it is found that anxiety is among one of the top reasons behind students’ school drop-out rate in many parts of the world. And which ultimately leads to economic losses for individuals and the society at large. Panic Disorder: Many times children develop anxiety that does not have any relation with the performance or bad experiences. In fact, sometimes it is developed due to the occurrence some mild illness include shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, chest pain, sensation of choking, fear of dying among other. Different Disorders The Remedy Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Fatigue, irritability, muscle tension, or sleep disturbances are the symptoms of this disorder, which can occur due to performance, trouble in relationships or other concerns. Medication is the first and last option which usually comes to the mind of any parents when they encounter that their child is suffering from certain disorder. Antidepressants usually comes on the top of the stack which often helps reduce anxiety but what many people don’t know are the advantages of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in treating children’s suffering with anxiety. Separation Anxiety Disorder: This disorder occurs due to the fear of separation. Children with this disorder frequently worry about their parent's relationship and fear of losing them in many possible ways including death. This results into bunking of schools and also causes headaches or nausea. Selective Mutism: CBT can be very effective in combating anxiety; in fact, many researches have proven that – this (CBT) is one of the most effective treatments for reducing symptoms of severe anxiety. And unlike taking antidepressants, this therapy helps children to manage their anxiety by themselves. According to this therapy- “How we think and act, affect how we feel,” and by changing the thinking that is distorted and behaviour that is dysfunctional, we can change our emotion and eliminate anxiety from children’s mind. A child who is otherwise more talkative refuses to speak in front of multiple people (especially at social events or schools functions) shows the signs of selective mutism. Not only such children feel insecure about speaking and meeting people but also avoid making eye contacts. This can often leads towards social isolation and loneliness. Childhood is the most crucial stage for the development of human brain. And certainly brain is the most vital body organ required to work properly. Therefore, it is highly advisable to monitor the growth of your ward, consistently and rigorously. And if your child shows any of the signs of severe anxiety, take necessary action at the right time (to correct it) before it impact your child’s performance and happiness at large. T R If your child fears to participate in front of class with his/her peers, then they may have social anxiety disorder, the other form of anxiety disorder. Such children avoid coming to social events and even if they come, usually keep silent during the whole event. Specific Phobia: Some children develop anxiety related to a specific object or situation and if that pertains for long can convert into 36 December | 2018

40. GEMS International School: S The school is accredited by the International Baccalaureate (IB) to deliver the Primary Years Programme, the Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme. electing the most appropriate site for a school is an important consideration for the school community. The location, size, and shape of a school site can materially affect the educational program and opportunities for students. GEMS International School (GIS) is one such school which is beautifully located in the up and coming area of Dubai Hills. Inception Story Founded in 2013 in response to a greater need that existed in Dubai to serve families who were seeking a high quality International Baccalaureate education, yet at an affordable price point. GEMS undertook the project to build a purpose built facility with a capacity of 3,100 with this aim in mind. With 1,400 students at present, in the coming years, as the school continues to grow, it will be the largest IB world school in the region. It is international in name and international in nature. It currently serves a population of almost 90 different nationalities with no one group being dominant. The staff are equally spread out, coming from 30 different countries. The school’s mission is to provide an exceptional quality education to an international community. They define exceptional, not just in terms of academics but in support of developing the whole child. A Door to Student Success Students in GIS are prepared to be successful and thrive in the modern, international world. The school focuses on developing the whole child, encouraging characteristics such as self-confidence, self-awareness, resilience and empathy. In line with the IB philosophy, there is a direct focus on developing internationally-minded, global citizens through the IB 38 December | 2018

41. e 10 T h Best T R International Schools In Dubai 2018 learner profile attributes. GIS sets out to appeal to local and international families. They cater for and encourage students from all backgrounds to learn together, build relationships and communities and work together in teams in order to achieve their best at all times. They promote a ‘culture of kindness’ through which they develop students’ propensity to be ‘inwardly strong and outwardly looking’. The school also prepares its students for success in the modern world. Statistics shows that students who have studied in IB programmes have a greater chance of not just gaining access to university but being successful in completing their chosen courses. GIS employs high-performing teaching teams; these teams are focused on success as they develop students’ confidence, resilience and ability to be successful as well as developing their thirst and aptitude for learning. Gateway to a Plethora of Opportunities Catering to so many nationalities and cultures make annual celebrations and events at GIS truly rich and diverse. International mindedness as defined by GIS is “recognizing and being open-minded to our similarities and differences while understanding how our experiences and exposure to different cultures impact our personal perceptions of the world.” This is fostered in many different ways at the school, through the curriculum, the learner profile and service opportunities to name but a few, but also in their ability to celebrate and recognize different events throughout the year such as; Eid, Ramadan, 39 December | 2018

42. Breast Cancer Awareness, Mo-vember Men’s Health Issues, Diwali, The Prophet’s Birthday, National Day, Christmas, International Day, alongside sporting events including swim galas, athletics, and primary and secondary sports days. A new and unique initiative that involves all students and teachers, with opportunities for parents to be involved is MyHealth. The program includes a personalized fitness plan where students are set targets to maintain or improve their fitness components, based on students’ individual performances in standardized fitness tests and an encouragement to join numerous activities throughout the year. The main goal at GIS is to support all community members with their overall health and well-being, bringing the community closer together and ensuring the school is the happiest and healthiest place to be. Rainbow of Offering GIS seamlessly fuses the GEMS core values with the IB learner profile attributes to promote and foster a lust for life- long learning. There is a rigorous academic K-12 program articulated within the IB framework to ensure the fundamentals of education are rooted in a strong understanding of disciplines such as mathematics, science, languages, digital technology and physical wellbeing and performance, as well as the development of the creative and innovative mind through subjects such as the music, visual art and drama. Guidance Worth in Gold Glen Radojkovich is the Head of School/CEO and is currently serving his second year at GIS. This is his rst role in the Middle East having previously founded and led schools in South Korea and Singapore, after 11 years at Pinehurst in his native New Zealand. Since his arrival to GIS, through the support of the leadership and teaching faculty, the school has grown from strength to strength. More important than any one program or initiative taken at the school, is the process in how students are given agency in their own learning. The power of inquiry, an approach used across the school, allows students to engage in a meaningful and authentic way with what they are learning, often giving them the power of choice to examine areas of interest from both a local and global perspective. A change or shift in how students are assessed is also having a strong impact in how students succeed. Each child has the ability to set their own targets in collaboration with the teachers. These are shared and articulated to parents also. As a father of three children I am very aware of the challenges and concerns students and parents face during the different stages of the schooling years. As such, I recognize the importance of the partnership between home and school and am committed to ensuring this partnership is nurtured. I believe strongly, that in the right environment, where students are respected and encouraged, they are capable of extraordinary achievements. I look forward to celebrating such achievements at GIS as our students develop as young leaders, engaging in academics, creativity, action and service opportunities throughout the rest of the school year- says Glen Radojkovich. GIS is committed to empowering students and ensuring student voice and agency play a role in the day to day running of the school. Leadership opportunities exist for students in many facets, whether it be leading a group in class, representing their ‘house’ in their respective grade levels or serving on one of the whole school student committees such as academics, service, sport or social. Through opportunities 40 December | 2018

43. and engagements as these, they demonstrate the value they place on student involvement in all areas of school life. Words of trust I think that GIS is a very unique school. What makes GIS so special is that they improve every year. GIS gives several opportunities to students in presenting and socializing. I remember when I started school and I didn’t even want to speak in front of the class and now in 2018, I look forward to when the class is presenting! One thing that makes GIS different to other schools is that the atmosphere of entering our school feels so welcome. Whenever I walk into the school, I always get a wide smile on my face. Our school is good at showing what the students want and letting the students have a voice, this includes student council and house captain. The teachers understand the students and that makes us students feel comfortable in the classrooms. -Nima Klintell, Grade 7, Sweden. When I came to GIS in January 2015, the school was so small, but the feeling and connection between the teachers and the students were amazing and although the school has grown enormously since then, the connections and relationships between the students and staff have stayed the same. This close relationship really leads to amazing ideas by the students and helps everyone develop to be themselves. An example being the Smiles4Zayed project set up by one of the Grade 8 students. The amazing personal attention and a listening ear in the senior leadership team gives us, as students an opportunity to develop ourselves and the community that surrounds us. -Tim Oude Kotte, Grade 11, The NetherlandsT R 41 December | 2018

44. Dr. Sherief Khalifa Professor & Dean College of Pharmacy at Gulf Medical University 42 December | 2018

45. Expert Viewpoint PHARMACY EDUCATION UAE Are we moving in the BSc (Pharm) at King Saud University in 1986, and his PhD in Pharmacognosy at the University of Mississippi (USA) in 1994. Dr. Khalifa joined Suez Canal University (SCU) as an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Pharmacy with linkage to the Biotechnology Research Centre. In 2007, he joined the Faculty of Pharmacy at Misr International University (MIU). Before leaving MIU to join Qatar University (QU), Dr. Khalifa was Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy. Dr. Khalifa was instrumental in establishing linkages between SCU/MIU/QU and USA-based institutions including the University of South Carolina, University of Georgia, Virginia Commonwealth University and others. He has a passion for advancing pharmacy practice in the Middle East and was responsible for introducing clinical pharmacy into the MIU curriculum and has continued this quest at QU and now in Gulf Medical University (GMU). in About the Author Dr. Sherief Khalifa is currently Professor & Dean of the College of Pharmacy at GMU. He received his right direction? P role of the pharmacist as a health care professional, working side by side with rest of the healthcare team. Since the pharmacy profession today is about patient care and putting patients first, any modern pharmacy curriculum around the world will provide a balance of courses and experiences that enables the pharmacy graduate to fulfill the noble role of the pharmacist in providing the best possible patient care, as it relates to the safe and effective use of medicine. harmacy education in the modern world focuses on providing students with knowledge, skills and attitude that enable the graduates to perform the A general belief is that pharmacist’s role beyond dispensing medication may be unnecessary and expensive and can be covered by physicians or nurses. Experience around the world has shown otherwise. The pharmacist role in patient care has been shown to reduce medication 43 December | 2018

46. errors that often lead to serious health problems. It also leads to less patient suffering and a reduced social and economic burden where patients are expected to require less hospitalization, emergency room visits and hospital readmissions. At Gulf Medical University, we are trending with ever so changing requirements of healthcare industry and believe in equipping our graduates with the skills, knowledge and experience they need to be job ready from the very first day and hit the ground running upon their graduation. Hence, we have designed the only undergraduate Doctor of Pharmacy program in the country where the program features; 1. Learning how to access credible knowledge quickly, instead of memorizing 2. Evaluating information and determining its suitability for use in a specific case 3. Providing a solid foundation in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences 4. Integration of pharmaceutical sciences into pharmacy practice 5. Practicing pharmacy skills in a simulated environment 6. Early exposure to clinical practice 7. Devoting more than 20% of the curriculum to experiential learning 8. Understanding, evaluating and performing pharmacy research 9. Using Team based learning (TBL) to enhance and reinforce learning in an exciting and interactive environment where students learn from each other 10. Inter-professional education where students from different healthcare disciplines engage in simulated and real problem solving exercises to prepare them for inter-professional collaborative practice after graduation. The educational philosophy that brings about excellence in pharmacy education and subsequent improvement of the practice of the pharmacy profession comes naturally at GMU as it is a medical university that has its own hospitals, clinics and pharmacies in an academic health system. Clinicians in our healthcare facilities have teaching assignments with the College of Pharmacy. Pharmacy students learn from clinicians by engaging in a shadowing experience and then by performing skills under supervision. Professors from the College of Pharmacy are licensed pharmacists providing patient care in GMU associated healthcare facilities. This link is extremely crucial and valuable as it immerses pharmacy students in a rich learning environment where they work with academic clinicians and clinical academicians. We believe that this system and the natural learning environment provide the best experience for students to achieve the required competencies. Whether the healthcare is being paid by the government, insurance company or a patient (out of pocket), spending money on pharmacy services will cut down on the overall cost of care. A recent survey conducted in United States, has shown that for every dollar spent on pharmacy services, there is a saving of three dollars. It is about time that pharmacy educators, practitioner, regulators and healthcare providers meet and talk to each other on offering value added services to the communities. The outcome will reduce cost on healthcare payers and above all provide better healthcare to masses.T R 44 December | 2018

48. GEMS The Kindergarten Starters P the fields to excel that prepare them to choose their career when they transition to the middle school. re-school is important as it acts as a transition from home to schoolenvironment. The Kindergarten Starters is one such school where children are molded by giving a number of games and activities which help them develop their fine motor skills, a love for learning and build social skills. Being a primary school, children are given opportunities in all Established in the year 1990 in Dubai, UAE under the leadership of its first founding Headmistress, Ms. Bernadette Pinto. It is the only Indian Primary School in the GEMS Group and was established as a feeder school for other GEMS Schools. The Kindergarten Starters is born of the belief that what they do for themselves fades away but what they do for others will remain as their legacy. The school engages with the wider community to optimize learner achievement by associating with Dubai Cares and WWF. Kindergarten Starters was the only educational institution which was honored by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on the 10th anniversary of Dubai Cares for their continuous support of all Dubai Cares initiatives. The mission of the school is to build a sound foundation upon which children achieve their potential. They do this by encouraging children to explore experiment and express themselves thereby stimulating thinking and learning through varied experiences. The school provides emotional stability for children to learn with confidence and nurture children through the GEMS Core Values which reflect the traditional values. Lively Experiences at Campus In order to influence student achievement KGS strictly follows a digitally transacted, enriched CBSE curriculum that draws from leading International curricula. These opportunities afford intellectual stimulation for students and help improve their work.Problem solving and critical thinking are intrinsic to school improvement and to improve the school’s performance students have access to Robotics, Engineering, Coding and Artificial Intelligence as part of their curriculum.A strong program of sports that include team sports like Cricket, Football and Basketball as well as Badminton, Karate and Yoga are provided for children. Students also have opportunities to learn through the expeditionary approach that takes them all across 46 December | 2018

49. e 10 T h Best T R International Schools In Dubai 2018 the UAE and the world to places of interest like Museums and Science centers that gives them hands-on opportunities to deepen their learning. Diverse Academic Offerings Globalization and technology are continually altering the views of education and offering new opportunities for learning and engagement in life. Technology such as web conferencing, the blogs/wikis, virtual worlds and online gaming and mobile devices such as iPads, mobile phones, digital cameras and voice recorders are changing the way teachers teach and students learn. Technology enables learning to extend not only beyond the boundaries of the classroom, but beyond borders and facilitates better access to learning resources. It also supports the creation of partnerships with the wider school community, the local and global community and equips learners with contemporary skills necessary to lead a successful life. Blended learning approaches have amplified the need for school Principals, leaders, teachers, students and the wider community to take advantage of learning opportunities provided through improved personalization, collaboration, and communication enabled by learning technologies. Blended learning has many different forms and will continue to evolve as technology continues to advance. It should therefore be viewed not as a single model but as an approach that promises better educational experiences and outcomes. 47 December | 2018

50. At The Kindergarten Starters, Dubai, technology is at the essence of teaching and learning. Whether it is moving from text books to digital media to utilizing smart boards in each of the 162 classrooms in the school, KGS is leaving no stones unturned to earn the recognition of being a digital school from all domains. earn the recognition of being a digital school from all domains. At of teaching and learning. to digital media to utilizing smart boards in each of the 162 classrooms in the school, KGS is leaving no stones unturned to Leading change and innovation from the conventional text book learning to digital learning in such a large primary school was not easy and involved thorough planning and a complete change of mindsets of all stakeholders apart from changes in the infrastructure. Teacher training in blended pedagogy and parent orientations have been strategically planned and an integral part of the change management process and several teacher leaders at all levels have been change agents. The blended E-learning approach was meticulously and cautiously planned in four domains to effect positive school improvement over the period of three years. three years. Leading change and innovation from the conventional text book learning to digital learning in such a lar not easy and involved thorough planning and a complete change of mindsets of all stakeholders apart from changes in the infrastructure. orientations have been strategically planned and an integral part of the change management process and several teacher leaders at all levels have been change agents. approach was meticulously and cautiously planned in four domains to effect positive school improvement over the period of • E-Curriculum- Modifying and enriching the existing Curriculum supported by appropriate e resources and learning technologies so as to ensure that the Instructional design meets the needs of all learners. The learning is now done using Microsoft Notebooks, Microsoft Sway, Microsoft OneNote, and Microsoft Teams. • E-Tools- used to improve Assessment, Teaching and Learning. The Students in Grades 1 and 2 are also trained to develop skills to apply their learning and problem solves which is largely what is tested in the international tests. With the introduction of e-learning and relevant training in the use and exploration of e-tools, most of the staff and students are now trained in administering and answering online tests by using simple e-tools such as Microsoft Forms which are not only easy to administer and answer, but also provide instant results and feedback regarding the common errors made and the strong and weak skills of the class. • Leading Light of the School Ms. Asha Alexander is the Principal of the school. She has made the school into a community of learners; one that sees all pupils attaining the highest possible outcomes with inclusion of all learners as a central goal. Students are valued for their individuality, culture and heritage and encouraged to develop their potential in a stimulating and caring environment. As a principal, she is accessible to students, parents and teachers and personally invested in their well-being and those of their families. She believes that the professional knowledge that teachers possess along with the skills they have acquired are of paramount importance and remains committed to developing human resources. “Parents are welcomed and encouraged to take an active part in the education of their children though the Open Doors program, where we demonstrate honesty and commitment to follow through in all interactions,” says Asha. GEMS The Kindergarten Starters prides itself in providing professional development to all the teachers. 100% of teachers in the school are MIE’s (Microsoft Innovative Educators) and currently has 129 teachers who are MIEE’s (Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert). Parallel Worlds of Learning Across Both Kindergarten and Primary: Ø The curriculum is diverse, creative, personalized with accommodations, exemptions and modifications to meet the needs of all students. Ø IEPs support SEND student helping them achieve specific targets. Ø The curriculum has been enriched with features of International curricula to develop a global perspective. Ø Free morning coaching in sports especially cricket and soccer has resulted in core talent pools. 01 December | 2018