The Scholars International Group (SIG) has been educating children for over 40 years now and is dedicated to providing high calibre, achievement-orientated schools to develop the next generation of leaders. Aparna Verma, CEO, SIG, talks to Elets News Network (ENN) on the group’s journey so far, its vision, achievements, expansion plans and system challenges to primary and secondary education in the UAE

SIG has been imparting education for over 40 years in the UAE. Please share the group’s profile, number of schools it runs and the journey so far.

SIG’s vision is to develop quality schools across the region. We currently have three institutions under our umbrella and are looking to expand. Our expansion is driven by our desire to maintain the integrity of our school’s offering and our promise to parents.

Describe your vision for SIG improvement. To what extent have you been able to translate your vision into reality in your schools?

At the end of the day, we want to be the best and we can be. We have a number of expectations which we measure against ourselves from students’ achievement to parents’ communication.

All our schools go through a continual process of self-evaluation, which is embedded in the culture of the schools. This is not only a responsibility we owe to our most important stakeholders (the children), ourselves.

With increasing competition, (the UAE is now the largest private school market in the world after China), we need to stay abreast of trends in the market if we are to stay relevant. Our focus is not just on where to improve, but how do we continually deliver on our improvement goals while maintaining a strong and cohesive organisational culture. This requires an engaged, strong leadership within each school, who can effectively shepherd change.

How do you ensure best standards in education? What are the big challenges in primary and secondary education landscape in the UAE?

Ensuring best standards in education is easy to talk about, but a very arduous and ambitious goal to achieve. At SIG, we are constantly engaged with the global educational community and the research that exists with regard to what works and what’s new. Each of our schools has its own characteristics and parent base. We recognise that each child is different and learns differently. What we attempt to do is to ensure that we get the highest quality teachers, who can meet the individual needs of each child. All our schools, regardless of their fee bracket, are known for the quality of the teaching staff. This is our focus.

As to challenges facing primary and secondary education in the UAE, there are a number of inherent challenges, but that is to be understood given that the UAE and its educational infrastructure have grown very rapidly. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) has done a phenomenal job in a short time to raise the quality of education. I am confident that they have the vision and determination to continue with that growth. The biggest challenge that the sector faces is the lack of quality teachers.

With increasing competition, we need to stay abreast of trends in the market if we are to stay relevant. Our focus is not just on where to improve, but how do we continually deliver on our improvement goals while maintaining a strong and cohesive organisational culture

Lacking an indigenous teacher development programme, most teachers have to be hired from abroad. General global supply and demand is making this an increasingly tenuous situation. Also, Dubai schools have to pay high competitive salaries, which has a tangible impact on the schools here.

What has been your biggest achievement as a premier education group? How big is your alumni size?

Our proudest and premiere achievements are the outcomes of our students. The list of universities they attended includes Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and more of the top universities.

We have a large alumni body and are now working on our 40th anniversary of Dubai Scholars, galvanising our worldwide alumni to participate. In their careers, they are working at Google, Microsoft, Apple, etc., and they return to give back to the school and recognise the role of the school in the successes.

What systems and processes have you used to ensure the effective running of your schools on a day- to-day basis?

Our Quality Assurance (QA) is student- centred and maintains a balance with the needs of the other stakeholders. It is aligned with the school guiding statements and is a process of auditing and improving on the school’s programmes and services. The QA process is over- seen by the Head of School, who is ultimately accountable to the SIG Management. The framework is built using systems, resources, risk assessments, checklists, evaluations, procedures, policies, personnel and professional development to help effectively guide and support the myriad of functions that make up the running of a school. All supporting material and documentation is on the school intranet with appropriate access provided. The framework is additionally supported by the third party accountability, such as KHDA.

Staff ’s professional development, awareness of roles and responsibilities, and corporate standards create an environment for high productivity.

We heard that SIG is launching another school—Clarion School— in Dubai. Can you your expansion plans?

We are very excited about the opening of Clarion School in Dubai.

The opportunity to affi liate our- selves with the Bank Street College of Education, the gold standard in education, will help us develop what we feel will be the leading American curriculum school in the region. We feel we are bringing something different to Dubai and creating a shift in the paradigm as far as education is concerned. Progressive American education is giving children the necessary skill sets to thrive in this ‘new age’.

We are exploring other opportunities, both internally developed and from approaches by other parties. Our expansion plans are measured. We are very particular about every project we undertake, as they must refl ect the ethos and commitment of our group.

Keeping their children’s education in mind, parents have many priorities? What is your USP and what parents should expect from you?

There are a number of good schools in Dubai. We are unique in the high quality of our teachers. Our focus, our values and our ethos are delivered by our teachers. Parents should expect and deserve a quality education for their children and we are committed to providing that to every child, whose education is entrusted to us.

Dr Nabil Ibrahim is the Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, an internationally recognised university with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. He speaks with Elets News Network (ENN) about UAE as a viable destination for education, emerging trends in education, role of technology in education, Abu Dhabi University’s strategy to keep up with the changing education trends and more

With increasing number of student traffic getting directed towards the UAE, what are the primary factors that are making the UAE a viable destination for education?

For education in other country, international students look for three important areas:

1. Quality of education they receive;
2. If the environment and infrastructure available is supportive of them, culturally, socially and academically; and
3. Importantly, to make sure that the education they get will enhance their chances of getting a rewarding job.

When you see these three elements and look at the UAE, you’ll find that these elements exist in the UAE. It is a destination where students can have a very good education. The quality of education in many universities of the UAE is as good as any other place. For example, Abu Dhabi University will very soon achieve accreditation in the United States (US) to be recognised in the US. The quality of education of Abu Dhabi University is best not only in Abu Dhabi but also in the US. We have international standards of education and many other universities in the UAE offer the same. This has made Abu Dhabi University a remarkable name among the international students as they are likely to find a job after their graduation. The rate of placements of graduates from Abu Dhabi University in the last four years has been averaging 90 per cent, the highest worldwide. The students at the University are 40 per cent nationals and 60 per cent international.

What are the emerging trends, defining transnational education in the UAE?

Since the beginning of second half of the 21st century, there has been a major paradigm shift in technology, particularly in the high tech area. This has created globalisation and boundaries between countries are lowered. Now, we can easily contact and interact with people virtually, without going to that place.

In education, this technology has been translated into two things:

• High speed internet: Through this, students and faculty can do interaction with other universities worldwide, easily.
• Collaborations between universities: Advancement in technology has really made it possible to enhance communication and ability of students to learn, regardless where ever they are.

Now, the universities are dealing with a large number of students, being involved in a course. However, they don’t have to necessarily come to campus. This is made possible due to the technology.

It is important to note that libraries have been really going through a rapid change nowadays. Instead of being places to store books, libraries are now become places to interact with other people, either face-to-face or virtually. You can access the information you need online, regardless of where you are. You don’t have to go to the library to get a book. You can read it online or borrow it.

Now, not only the places where you learn and the locations where the universities are, the technology has changed the means and tools of learning. You can learn virtually as the sources of knowledge are available mostly online. And this has created a change in the way universities offer their courses and programmes.

There is a lack of collaboration between the universities in the UAE and abroad. And the conferences like WES would be a good forum to interact, collaborate and develop strategies to work together, especially in areas like research, student learning, etc. 

How the governing bodies like Abu Dhabi Education Council, Ministry of Higher Education, etc, can help in setting up of good education in UAE?

In fact, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has accreditation criteria, which is very good, rigorous and carved after the accreditation boards of the US, so they often require the university be accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education. They ensure the quality of education in every programme. For example, at Abu Dhabi University, we have around 35 different programmes. Before we offer, each programme has to go for approval from both the Abu Dhabi Education Council and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. It is an important standard for universities like us.

We also seek approval from international universities. Our College of Business is accredited by international accreditation agency called AACSB and the College of Engineering is accredited by ABET. We are now seeking international accreditation for every programme through WASK (Western Association of Schools and Colleges in the US). These national and international accreditations make our education programmes a lot more attractive, not only to students in the UAE but also to students abroad. We, at Abu Dhabi University, have students from Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Digital technology is revolutionising the education sector and is changing both the need and practice of learning and teaching. What is your strategy in the coming years to keep pace with the changing trends?

Obviously, there are dynamics that changes every day. Now, we have lot of tools to actually facilitate learning, understand how to communicate with the students, to enhance our relationship with our customers, no matter where they are. We continuously try to catch up with what is going on. We participate in all kinds of activities such as conferences, exchange of ideas, looking at what is new and exciting in the world. Our faculty go to other universities and present their work all over the world. Our students are benefitting from this. For example, in May this year, we are going to have one of the biggest conferences in the UAE, focussed on undergraduate research activity.

Do you want to give any message on World Education Summit, 2016?

I really think collaboration is very important. The Summit is not only the opportunity to present what has been done, although useful, but really to collaborate worldwide to work together so that the students will benefit from this collaboration.

I feel that there is a lack of collaboration between the universities in the UAE and abroad. And the conferences like WES would be a good forum to interact, collaborate and develop strategies to work together, especially in areas like research, student learning, etc.

Sajeev Karuthody, Director, Edutech India, talks about the importance of STEM education and Edutech’s STEM solutions

With our rote learning based on memorisation technique, we get students to clear examinations but not to make them employable or solve problems of the industry, government or the community.

STEM education is a welcome development in India where we focus on applying what we learn. The experience students gain through hands on learning and simulations bring them closer to real world challenges.

STEM education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators. STEM is, potentially, the next generation educational powerhouse, and when applied properly, it can make a big difference in how our future leaders see the world and solve problems.

Tool to Get Measurable Outcomes

STEM platforms are a better way to get true measurable outcomes. The objective or theory-based exams only evaluates the understanding of a concept, while STEM goes a step further and ensure that students can understand the concept and apply the same. It can be a great tool to get measurable outcomes, be it inquiry based learning through various sensors and data logging tools, Robotics or visual and applied mathematics through math labs.

The project-based activities can power up elementary, middle or secondary school learning. The lessons are developed to enable students’ skills and understanding in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, as well as language and literacy. Each activity produces explicit learning outcomes and matches specific graderelated math and science concepts and standards. With some focus on project-based approach, aligning curriculum with STEM activities and platforms, observational assessments and competitions measureable outcomes can be achieved.

One of the innovative and effective methods of teaching the STEM disciplines is through Robotics. Through Robotics, Edutech provides an exciting hands-on/ exploratory learning experience to the students and at the same time help to improve their fundamental science, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Edutech’s STEM Solutions

Edutech offers complete range of STEM products and services covering: world class STEM platforms in the form of hands on tools, hardware based kits etc; activities, project and curriculum aligned content; teacher training and delivery services.

To create awareness and handholding towards these concepts, Edutech STEM+ Studio is first of its kind in India, designed to provide hands on education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Language Arts along with other areas of the curriculum. The studio is aimed to bring together schools, students, teachers, parents, corporates and STEM enthusiasts to provide education based on ‘learning by doing’ that will lasts a lifetime.

Edutech India represent some of the world leading STEM platforms like LEGO Education, Vernier, PITSCO, Makerbot 3D printing, etc that are aligned with various learning outcome standards across the world like Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. Concepts of STEM are imparted through projects and activities covering fundamentals of science and maths through hands-on learning, Robotics, Aeromodelling, Electricity and Renewable Energy, Programming and Electronics, Language Arts and Storytelling, Makerspace and Fablabs, Game design and Apps development 3D printing and many more. STEM Studio programmes are delivered in flexible formats designed to meet students and school convenience of: after school programme, weekend Programme, in school programme, competition training and teachers training and train the trainer programmes.