Former Air Chief Marshall of the Indian Air Force S K Sareen lighting a traditional lamp at the opening ceremony of the Olive International School yesterday as Dean Gilchrist, Sheikha Athba bint Tamer al-Thani, Jerome Ellens, Nasser al-Malki, Saleh Abdullah al-Sulaiti and school principal A J George and managing committee chairman Davis Edakalathoor look on. PICTURE: Najeer Feroke.
Qatar’s 11th educational institution offering India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) curriculum, Olive International School (OIS), was inaugurated yesterday at its campus, near Medical Commission Signal, in Doha’s Al Hilal area.
The OIS is managed by the Patricians, headquartered in Ireland, with a history of managing educational institutions in more than 200 locations spread over Europe, Australia, African countries and India among others.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the school’s chief advisor and the Indian Air Force’s former Air Chief Marshall Satish Kumar Sareen recalled his long association with the Patricians. Describing himself as an alumnus of a prestigious educational institution managed by the Patricians in India, he said he was still working closely with the congregation.
Sareen expressed the hope that OIS would soon be an institution to be reckoned with in the country’s expatriate community.
Later, he lit the traditional lamp at the opening ceremony.
Earlier, Supreme Education Council director (Shared Services Department) Nasser al-Malki hoisted the school flag, signalling its beginning.
Patricians Worldwide head Jerome Ellens and OISchool principal A J George briefed the gathering of what the institution and its stakeholders intended to do to promote quality education. George, who is leading a team of experienced faculty members, has come on deputation from a prominent Patrician school in Dehra Dun in India’s Uttarakhand.
QDVC chief support services officer Sheikha Athba bint Tamer al-Thani, Australian sport and leisure entrepreneur Dean Gilchrist, who is working closely with the school, and the school’s chief patron Saleh Abdullah al-Sulaiti were present at the opening ceremony. OIS also has a second campus near Mesaimeer Health Centre, Doha.