Nahyan praises spirit of America’s exemplary educational traditions
ACS, a beacon of excellence in education, embodies cultural diplomacy, and its new campus symbolises a continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and global citizenship
Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, has inaugurated the American Community School of Abu Dhabi’s (ACS) new campus on Saadiyat Island.
The inauguration ceremony, highlighted by a ribbon-cutting event, saw the presence of guests including Martina Strong, Ambassador of the United States to the UAE; Saif Al Mazrouei, Adviser to the Minister of Education; Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Assistant Minister for Political Affairs; Salem Alnuaimi, Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Pension Fund and ACS Honorary Trustee; Monique Flickinger, ACS Superintendent; and Matt Ayoub, ACS Board Chair.
During the ceremony, Sheikh Nahyan unveiled the official dedication plaque and asked Grade 4 and 5 student ambassadors to join him in the symbolic planting of a Ghaf tree, gifted from Sheikh Zayed’s Gardens in Al Ain. This occasion marks an important milestone in the 51-year history of ACS, solidifying its place in the UAE’S educational legacy and celebrating its enduring contribution to the nation’s growth and cultural heritage.
Sheikh Nahyan said, “I offer my best wishes for the continued success of the American Community School. May it continue to be a major centre of learning for its students as well as a model for excellent education in the United Arab Emirates and the world.
“Today, we also appreciate the spirit of America’s exemplary educational traditions so clearly evident here in your school. I am very pleased to share in our celebration of the strong bonds of cooperation and friendship between the two U’s, the United States of America and the United Arab Emirates. This celebration reflects our joint resolve to maintain and strengthen the long and friendly relations between our two countries.
“The United Arab Emirates is a nation that has become a champion for progress, peace, and prosperity around the globe. The wise leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has allowed the UAE to become a leader in developing a knowledge-based economy and society. Under his wise leadership, we know that the basis of the society that we seek to build and maintain for our people is grounded in a strong system of education.”
Monique Flickinger, ACS Superintendent, expressed her appreciation to the Abu Dhabi Government and Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan for their unwavering support, which has been instrumental in the success of ACS. “Today, we celebrate ACS’S profound historical ties with Abu Dhabi, a relationship rooted in mutual respect and shared values over 50 years.”
The dedication of the new campus stands as a testament to the strong ties and collaboration between the UAE and the United States. ACS, a beacon of excellence in education, embodies cultural diplomacy, and its new campus symbolises a continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and global citizenship.
Separately, Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, on Wednesday visited the Unified Schools UAE Games, and saw the participation of 400 students from various unified schools across the UAE.
During the event, students of determination and their unified partners, across various age groups, competed in two sports, football and badminton. Separate competitions for boys and girls were held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC).
The Unified Schools UAE Games aims to achieve inclusion in education and to enhance the participation of people of determination and their peers in schools, fostering a profound societal change that starts in schools but goes beyond classrooms.
Sheikh Nahyan praised the organisation of the games and emphasised the efforts of Special Olympics UAE to integrate people of determination and provide equal and inclusive sports opportunities that strengthen the UAE’S position as a global leader in tolerance and coexistence.
Several entities are involved in the staging of the Unified Schools UAE Games at ADNEC, including volunteers from the Emirati Marshals Program, who are assisting in the activities, and the Emirates Schools Establishment.