Udupi school run by UAE residents wins global recognition

Udupi school run by UAE residents wins global recognition

Manglore Today News Network

Dubai, Dec 19, 2019:  In 2001, five expatriates from the UAE founded a small charitable school in their hometown in India with the sole intention of giving back to the community. They wanted to provide quality education to kids in the rural areas around Shiroor, Udupi district, in the south Indian state of Karnataka.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From a humble beginning with just 100 students, Green Valley National School (GVNS) has rapidly earned a name in the field of education not only in India but in the UAE as well.

Located near the National Highway No 66 in Shiroor, far from the hubbub of cities, GVNS now has around 1,400 students, both boys and girls, from all communities, religions and areas.

On Monday in Dubai, GVNS was recognised for its contribution to the education sector and awarded the title ’Upcoming Institute of the Year’ at the fourth edition of the International School Awards (ISA) 2019 held at Amity University, reported Khaleej times.

One of the biggest education conference and award shows, the ISA recognises the world’s premier schools and primary educational institutions for their efforts.

Dubai expat Mohammed Meeran, senior vice-president and managing trustee of GVNS, said: "By the grace of God, the school has made tremendous progress in 20 years and a lot of hard work and sacrifice has gone into it.

"Besides me, there are four other members on the board of trustees of the school, including Mohamed Yahya Kazi, Director and Group CEO of Galadari Brothers (the parent company of Khaleej Times), who was the visionary behind the concept of this school. He continues to contribute to the success of the school with his innovative ideas, making regular visits and overseeing its progress. Yahya is the vice-president and treasurer of GVNS."

Talking about the key features of the school that follows the ICSE curriculum, Meeran said: "It is a secular and forward-thinking school. We have students of all religions and our principal, John Mathew, is a highly qualified academician with doctorates in different subjects."

He said GVNS became the first Karnataka school to send its students to the Nasa headquarters eight years ago and was among 500 schools chosen by the Planning Commission of India to provide high-tech programmes to children.

Meeran said he and the other founders of the school - Dr Syed Hassan, Syed Ibrahim and Mohamed Yahya Kazi - hope to make it a model school for the entire country.

"After graduating from Chennai, one of the GVNS students is now working with Nasa. We feel proud that several of our former students have been immensely successful in their careers and hold important, decision-making positions in multinational companies," he added.

Abdul Haseeb Yahya Kazi, who oversees the school’s progress and was present with Meeran to receive the award, said: "The school has a tinkering laboratory that is accessible to all students where those with interest in engineering and electric circuits can build their own inventions. Through this freedom to experiment and to be creative, one of our students invented a walking stick for the blind that alerts them when they are near a wall or a big obstacle. The opportunities and a conducive environment for creativity help our students excel in different fields."

The ISA 2019 received about 8,422 nominations from more than 40 countries. The event was themed around 21st-century classrooms and skills. A number of panel discussions, debates and brainstorming sessions were held throughout the day-long event .

 

The students of Green Valley National School and PU College also got the rare opportunity to meet the President of the nation Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan  and India’s most powerful woman, president of Indian National Congress Sonia Gandhi at her residence on November 16. They interacted with the students and enquired about the school and studies.