Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai continues to strengthen ties with the UK
As part of the Global Engagement Week, 90 RGSGD senior school students visited the school's home campus in UK. The visit offered students the chance to connect with peers and educators at the founding school and immerse themselves with over 500 years of rich heritage that continues to inspire the ambition and innovation of RGS's community in Dubai. Students engaged with keynote presentations and interactive workshops with the senior leadership in UK as well as a House debating competitions alongside their UK counterparts.
RGSGD also welcomed a visit from the UK leadership team including Sarah Creedy, Chair of Governors, Sam Maiden, Chief Strategy Officer, and Peter Dunscombe, Director of Higher Education, and Kate Salisbury, Career and HPQ Lead. During their time in Dubai, they engaged with educators and the senior leadership team to discuss recent updates and strategic vision for the future and joined in celebrating the school's recent Outstanding rating in the British Schools Overseas (BSO) inspection.
The visit also focused on strengthening collaboration between RGS Guildford in the UK and RGS Guildford Dubai to support students in developing future-ready skills, strong values and a passion for learning beyond the classroom, while providing clear pathways for successful transitions into higher education and the professional world. Members of the UK team also led engaging workshops for parents and students, covering topics such as university admissions, career planning, and the upcoming Year 9 Enterprise Day.
Matthew Pearce, Principal of Royal Grammar Guildford School Dubai said: ' At RGS Guildford Dubai, we are united in our mission to prepare students for a successful future. The collaborative efforts with our UK colleagues bring valuable insights and support that help our students, and their parents, make informed decisions early on about their academic and career pathways.'
As part of the esteemed Royal Grammar School Guildford family, RGSGD continues to set a benchmark for academic excellence and character development in the region. With a focus on tradition, innovation, and a strong community ethos, the school remains committed to delivering an enriching and future-focused British education.
For more information and media enquiries:
Plus 1 Communications / yara@plus1comms.com
About the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai
The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD) is a British Curriculum school for boys and girls aged three to 18 years old. A bright new home of learning, the school opened with world-class facilities in August 2021 for pupils in Nursery and Primary years and the school will grow by year to welcome pupils from FS1 to Year 13. Sister school to the prestigious Royal Grammar School Guildford in the UK, RGSGD combines 500 years of pioneering heritage, innovation and academic excellence with a forward-looking approach to teaching and learning. Located within the Tilal Al Ghaf community development near Dubai's Motor City, the goal at the RGSGD is to deliver a personalised and forward-thinking educational experience for all of its young people, and the cutting-edge, sustainable and inspiring campus supports every part of this. The school is owned and funded by Cognita, a leading global schools group who are establishing a presence in the Middle East with RGSGD as their flagship new school.
For more information please visit, www.rgsgd.com
About the Royal Grammar School Guildford
Located in the centre of historic Guildford, UK, the Royal Grammar School Guildford is an independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18. Its preparatory department is the nearby RGS Prep for pupils aged 3-11. RGS dates its foundation from 1509 and has established a national reputation for academic excellence but also prides itself on its traditional values of decency and respect, supported by very strong extra-curricular activities. A dynamic and forward-thinking environment in which to learn, pupils develop flexibility of mind, resilience, leadership and teamwork and a range of skills appropriate for a rapidly changing, global landscape. RGS pupils emerge as confident, articulate and happy individuals who are prepared to meet the challenges of life at university and the future workplace. www.rgsg.co.uk
About Cognita
Launched in 2004, Cognita is an extraordinary community of schools that span 16 countries and share one common purpose: to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. With over 100 schools in Europe and the US, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia, Cognita employs over 18,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of more than 90,000 students. Together, Cognita schools provide a uniquely global education that goes beyond grades, to develop all-round academic excellence – equipping young people with the agency, adaptability and positive attitudes that prepares them to grow, thrive and find their success in a rapidly evolving world.
Cognita Middle East has nine schools within its portfolio, including: RGS Guildford Dubai, Repton Dubai, Repton Al Barsha and Repton Abu Dhabi, Horizon English School, Horizon International School, Ranches Primary School and Al Ain English Speaking School in the UAE, and Dasman Bilingual School in Kuwait. www.cognita.com
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tahawul Tech
33 minutes ago
- Tahawul Tech
MBZUAI's MAILIS, AD Gaming to spotlight AI's role in future of game development
Abu Dhabi — Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) hosted the second session of its flagship community engagement platform, MAILIS, in partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming. The session entitled 'AI Joins the Game' explored the growing impact of artificial intelligence across the gaming industry, from gameplay and innovation to storytelling and career pathways. As part of MBZUAI's Year of Community outreach initiative, MAILIS brings together students, researchers, and industry leaders to exchange ideas and inspire the UAE's future AI leaders. This latest session featured: Rawdha Almeraikhi, Director of Outreach, MBZUAI; Hamdan Al Ali, Ph.D. Candidate in Natural Language Processing, MBZUAI; Boris Kalmykov, Co-founder and CEO of Hypemasters and former executive at Meta and Unity; Marcos Muller-Habig, Abu Dhabi Gaming Sector Enablement Director; and Ariana Bermudez, Project Manager, MBZUAI. Participants shared their observations and experiences on how AI is transforming creativity in the rapidly evolving games industry, and highlighted opportunities for local talent to contribute to global innovation and creation. The session was hosted in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Gaming, the government-led initiative driving the emirate's transformation into a global gaming hub. Rawdha Almeraikhi, Director of Outreach at MBZUAI, opened the session with a keynote focused on the University's commitment to creating platforms that empower young people and stimulate innovation. In her remarks, she said: 'Our MAILIS initiative offers an inclusive space where meaningful conversations begin with young minds, seasoned experts, and aspiring creators, who are excited and passionate about how AI can transform industries such as health, energy, creative arts, transport, and education. In this session, we explored the gaming universe through an AI lens, bridging imagination and innovation.' The program featured remarks from Marcos Muller-Habig, Abu Dhabi Gaming Sector Enablement Director, who discussed the growing impact of AI on the gaming industry, from unlocking new careers to driving business ambition. 'Artificial intelligence is not here to replace creativity or human ingenuity – it's here to amplify it,' said Marcos Muller-Habig. 'In gaming, AI is unlocking new possibilities that were once unimaginable, from personalising player experiences to more immersive storytelling. At Abu Dhabi Gaming, we are fostering local talent in this evolving space, supporting individuals and companies that are exploring new ways to move the industry forward. Abu Dhabi is rapidly becoming a global hub for innovation in gaming, with AI serving as a powerful tool to create new roles and business opportunities – and we're excited to be a part of this movement.' Boris Kalmykov, Co-founder and CEO of Hypemasters and former executive at Meta and Unity, delivered a session on how AI is revolutionizing gameplay and player experiences. Drawing on his global experience in gaming and technology, Kalmykov shared perspectives on the power of AI to reshape the business and storytelling dimensions of modern games. The session also spotlighted original projects from MBZUAI Ph.D. students. Ariana Bermudez Venegas, whose research focuses on computer vision and human avatars, presented work on AI simulation and real-time interaction in virtual environments. Hamdan Hamid Al-Ali, a system developer at Dubai Police and NLP Ph.D. candidate, shared his AI-powered games rooted in Emirati heritage, including Al Sharah and Emirati Tales, which combine cultural storytelling with educational game mechanics. The program concluded with an open Q&A session, inviting dialogue between audience members and speakers on how AI can shape the future of the creative economy. MBZUAI's MAILIS continues to grow as a platform designed to connect academia, industry, and community around AI's most exciting opportunities. By focusing on gaming and creative industries, this session affirmed MBZUAI's vision to nurture young talent, inspire innovation, and contribute to the UAE's global leadership in responsible and inclusive AI.
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Khaleej Times' ‘We the Women' conference returns to Dubai for third edition
The secret is out: there has never been a better time to be a woman of ambition. Especially in the UAE, which believes in helping women realise their dreams. With a number of aspirants flocking to the country for the chance to make their business ideas come to fruition and homegrown and innovative plans in the works, this is the perfect moment for the Khaleej Times' event We The Women, which will return for its third edition to Dubai's Address Skyview on October 29, 2025. The one-day conference — which brings together women from the entrepreneurial field to talk about their experiences, their challenges and tips to overcome obstacles — will be helmed by Emmy-nominated journalist Barkha Dutt in association with KT Events. The series celebrates the achievements of women from across the board — from policymakers and politicians to influencers and business leaders — who offer real-time practical advice, anecdotes, and solutions to challenges that women in the workplace face on a daily basis. In the past, We The Women 's stage in the UAE has hosted luminaries such as first Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja, paralympian Jessica Smith, podcaster Tracy Harmoush, influencer Noor Stars, Emirati athlete Hana Nabulsi, founder of Cinema Akil Butheina Kazim, Dubai Economy and Tourism's Suhaila Ghubash, among others. At the helm of the event is the renowned Indian journalist Barkha Dutt, who has been at the forefront of the dialogue on women's empowerment in India. She is an Emmy-nominated journalist and Washington Post columnist, and the curator of the We The Women conference, having established it as a leading women-centric conference in India. Reflecting on the meet in UAE, Dutt said, 'This conference brings together women from all spheres of life and stages of growth — offering opportunities for them to connect, network, and gain solutions to problems they didn't even know existed sometimes. We aim to educate, empower, and bring to the surface issues that impact real women in the real world on an everyday basis. Together, we can find a solution, a way forward.' 'Being at the top often comes at the price of loneliness,' Dutt has said before, adding that in her experience, 'at every stage, you have to fight at least four or five times harder, and when you get success, there will be people who will try to punish you for your ambition, professionalism and competence. Sometimes, you get noticed easily because you are a woman doing a job that's associated with a man. But sometimes because they notice you more, they also judge you more. But here, with this conference, we work towards making our own tribe, our little support system that can help us weather any storm.'
Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
I've started dreaming bigger ever since I came here: Indian expat in UAE
Indian expatriate Roota Mittal, 31, has been in the UAE for little more than a year, but says it is 'a land of big dreams'. The Dubai resident and founder of she says that money is transformative, with the power to change your life, your lifestyle, your mindset and how you show up for life. If you had to write a letter to money, what would you say? I'll just be grateful. 'Thank you for being freely available to me. And thank you for helping me get paid doing what I love while helping my clients. Thank you for giving me the ability to enjoy life, travel, rejuvenate with spa experiences, and for taking care of my loved ones.' How would you describe your relationship to money? My relationship to money has evolved with time. It went from being stressed about money, to spending extravagantly when I made little money, to now where I enjoy my money and also make sure to invest it so it keeps working for me. How do you think this relationship was formed? I come from a simple middle-class family, so at the start, I felt restricted that money wasn't available freely to people like us. I didn't want to let the middle-class money mindset stop me from living my best life though. So, I worked on my wealth mindset - by reading books, attending conferences, learning from mentors, and trying to be better at business daily. What lessons about money management did you learn from your mother? My mum has the biggest heart, and that's what she has taught me by example. She's taught me to help people to my best ability - whether financially or otherwise. Who do you speak to about money matters and is it something you consider 'taboo'? Growing up in an Indian society, talking about money was and still is taboo. But that's why I've spoken freely for the past nine years about how much I've made with our business and my wealth principle. The intention is not to brag, but so it inspires other women and men to stop making it a taboo topic. Who has taught you the most about financial management? Reading books and blogs of people who inspire me has taught me the most. What has been the most profound experience you've had so far in relation to money, and what has it taught you ? There have been many which I share in my book Wealthy Moves, released in April. The one that comes to the top of mind was when I manifested investing in a cool startup, and how the universe helped me make it happen in a few short months. How do you think living in the UAE has changed your relationship with money? The UAE is a land of big dreams. I've started dreaming bigger since I came here. The best part is that the country is open to expats and provides opportunities like no other place. If you could give your child or your younger self one piece of advice about money what would that be and why? Money is abundant, it's freely available and you deserve you get paid really well. What do you value spending money on? Comfort while travelling. And getting a spa done every couple of weeks. What do you consider splashing out? Once in a while, I like to splurge on a jewellery item that becomes a staple in my daily wardrobe. Do you long-term plan your finances, and if so, how? I plan three-five years in advance. What is your long-term goal pegged to your finances? Owning land and turning it into a farmhouse amid the forest and mountains has been a dream of mine for a long time. A simple life to retreat to once we're done with our big city dreams. How much do you save each month? I prefer to save and invest at least 50 per cent of my earnings every single month. What is your greatest financial decision? Betting on myself. To quit my job and start my own education company. And becoming a startup investor. Listening to financial advice and implementing it blindly without understanding the reason or logic behind it.
