Latest news with #DubaiInternationalAcademy
The National
06-07-2025
- General
- The National
High achievers in UAE praised for stellar IB performance
UAE pupils have secured outstanding scores placing them among the International Baccalaureate global high achievers. Top pupils from schools around the UAE earned scores well over 40 points in the International Baccalaureate exams reaching exceptional academic success. The pupils will now head out to prestigious universities after the IB exam results were announced this weekend. Several star pupils including at least three from Gems Modern Academy and two from Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills hit the maximum score of 45 and were celebrated by their friends and family for an achievement earned by less than 0.5 per cent candidates worldwide. Satvik Gupta, among the Gems Modern Academy pupils to score a perfect 45, said he learnt to handle stress over the past two years of intense studying and has gained skills that will support him through college. 'As I go on to study electrical and computer engineering at Carnegie Mellon, I hope to enhance the skills I learnt and apply them towards meaningful projects and experiences,' said the Dubai pupil who benefitted from adhering to discipline and time management. His classmate Aanya Khandelwal, who also got a perfect score, will study international law in a New York college. ' The IB experience was both challenging and fascinating,' she said. 'It helped me grow and push boundaries. Moving forward, I'll be studying in New York city with my eyes set on law school to study human rights and international law.' The Gems Education group said pupils from seven schools in the UAE who took the IB diploma exams this year secured an average point score of 34 and a pass rate of 95 per cent that exceeded the global average last year of 30 points and 80 per cent. Support from teachers Alia Abdel Hamid, from Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills, said she owed her perfect score of 45 in the IB exams to the 'incredible support' and commitment of her teachers and the school community. 'The commitment of my teachers and the broader school community created an environment where I could truly thrive,' she said in an Instagram post. 'I'm proud of what we've achieved together.' Melis Yilmaz, also from Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills, was overjoyed with her perfect score and said her school journey had been transformative. 'The demanding academic environment, combined with unwavering support, has fostered both intellectual and personal growth,' she said. 'The strong sense of community and the constant encouragement to think critically and embrace a global perspective have equipped me for the future in ways I could never have imagined.' The UAE IB Association congratulated all pupils who completed the IB programme. 'We commend the extraordinary dedication of every student, especially those who achieved the maximum 45 points, a truly remarkable accomplishment reached by only a small percentage of IB graduates worldwide. Their success is a testament to the rigorous academic discipline and holistic development fostered by the IB,' said Richard Drew, chair of the UAE IB Association. 'Equally, we celebrate the achievements of all students who have earned access to universities and pathways of their choice, whether in the UAE or abroad. Each journey is unique, and every outcome is the result of months, and often years of hard work, perseverance and curiosity.' He said the support of families, teachers and school communities had empowered the young pupils to thrive, adding that their commitment 'continues to shape the UAE's future as a hub for educational excellence and international-minded leadership'. Confidence instilled UAE school operator Taalem celebrated the exceptional performance of pupils with schools across the group achieving 100 per cent pass rates. Officials said pupils scored high scores and had obtained offers from leading universities in the US, UK, Europe and the UAE. 'School leaders have praised this year's graduates as thoughtful, well-rounded individuals, ready to thrive in a complex, global society,' said Nicki Williams, director of education Taaleem. 'These results are a testament to the determination of Taaleem's learners, the dedication of their teachers, and the unwavering support of their families. Across the group, the Class of 2025 has set a new benchmark for excellence and leaves inspired to make a positive impact in the world.' Heads of education said they were proud of the pupils and praised teachers for the conviction they had instilled in the teenagers that would see them through higher studies and their chosen career paths. 'Our students have once again shown what's possible with ambition, perseverance, and the right support,' said Lisa Crausbym group chief education officer at Gems Education. 'These outstanding results reflect their tireless effort and the dedication of our world-class educators. As our students take the next steps into higher education and beyond, they carry with them the confidence and capability to lead, to innovate, and to shape a better world.' Repton Dubai said 87 per cent of their pupils scored above the global average of 30 points with an average score of 35 points and their top pupils had earned spots in their first university of choice. ' These results reflect not only academic rigour but also the resilience, creativity and critical thinking our students embody,' said Michael Bloy, principal of Repton Dubai School. 'I congratulate every graduate and thank our dedicated staff and supportive families who have guided them on this journey.'
Khaleej Times
30-01-2025
- Science
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Teen prodigy launches astrophysics book exploring black hole theory
A Grade 9 student at a Dubai school is creating ripples not just in the UAE but even abroad, driven by her passion for astrophysics and exploring the universe's mysteries. Her journey began with an open letter about the UAE Hope Probe, which led to a meeting with Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, and inspired her to write Astrophysics for Young Minds, a book that she unveiled at the Emirates Literature Festival (ELF) on Thursday. Speaking to Khaleej Times about her writing journey, Oindrila Majumdar said, 'When I had the discussion with Sarah Al Ameri, I found myself reflecting on the work of other astronomers and delving deeper into areas of astronomy I wasn't familiar with, particularly the theoretical complexities. This led me to conduct my own research, and that's when I decided to write a book – one that would consolidate my knowledge.' An avid reader, her goal was simple – to inspire young, budding astronomers who share the same curiosity as she did. 'I wanted to make these complex theories accessible, breaking them down into simple terms, with guidance from my father who is a mathematician and other astrophysicists. One of my favourite chapters is the last one, 'The Theory of Everything,' where I've broken down the most significant theories in astronomy. There are so many intriguing ideas, such as wave-particle duality, where light is both a wave and a particle, but many don't realise how this groundbreaking discovery was made. It's that kind of curiosity and exploration that I aim to share,' added the 14-year-old. Writing journey The young Indian expat started by diving into various resources like lectures, videos, and textbooks – even though some concepts were hard to grasp at first. She explained that over time, she built a foundation in fundamental topics, carefully researching and reading books on astrophysics that her father provided. 'In the second year, I began constructing my own book, but experienced some self-doubt and a bit of writer's block, unsure if my understanding was accurate. To overcome this, my dad connected me with an experienced astrophysicist who helped me refine my writing, ensuring any technical aspects were corrected.' The student of Dubai International Academy (DIA) Al Barsha reiterated that her inspiration from the Mars Hope Probe is also reflected in her book. 'I was also honoured to receive an endorsement from Her Excellency for my book, which I truly appreciated. This has been a huge source of encouragement and a significant journey for me, especially since it's my very first book,' said the emerging author, whose 110-page book is now available on Amazon. Oindrila also regularly collaborates with scientists from Princeton, CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), and NASA on video columns to ignite young audiences' interest in science and astronomy. Black holes, future of astrophysics A keynote speaker at XPANSE 2024 last year, she captivated the audience with her insights into black holes and the future of astrophysics, becoming one of the youngest voices in the field. 'To my surprise, because of my YouTube Podcasts, I was invited to speak at the event, becoming the youngest person on stage, surrounded by Nobel laureates and scientists. Initially, it was nerve-racking because it was my first time on a real stage. My mother helped me with how to talk and walk around the stage. My parents really helped me practise my presentation at home. Eventually, I watched a video about Einstein and Pythagoras which further inspired my choice of topic: the mystery of black holes.' Shedding light on her interaction with Dr Sean Carroll there, one of the most celebrated cosmologists, whose influence had always fuelled her passion for the subject, she added, 'I gathered my courage and went up to him and I told him about my interests. He is an amazing communicator blending Physics and Philosophy really well.' Determined to spread her knowledge and raise awareness about the universe, she dedicated herself to sharing insights that could spark curiosity. Later, she met Dr Ayeha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), who invited her to her office. There, she shared her book, which earned her representation at the prestigious Emirates Literature Festival. 'Dr Miran is a very inspiring lady. She asked me several questions. I also want to translate my book into Arabic soon and hope that this book sparks an interest in others about the infinite cosmos and its mysteries.'
