MUSCAT : HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, an alumnus of ABA from the graduating class of 2012, unveiled the foundation stone to mark the new beginnings of the ABA Al Irfan campus. HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham bin Tarik Al Said was given a tour of the campus, accompanied by Lamya Al Kiyumi, ABA Board Chair and Craig Williamson, ABA Head of School.

HE Ahmed Mohammed Al Humaidi, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, Honourable Lujaina bint Mohsin bin Haider Darwish Al-Zaabi, Member of the State Council, HE Bill Murray, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, HE Thomas Friedrich Schneider, German Ambassador to Oman, HE Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, and corporate officials were among the dignitaries present to celebrate the momentous occasion.

ABA’s new campus is located in Madinat Al Irfan, Airport Heights, in close proximity to the new Muscat International Airport at Seeb, Muscat Hills, and Al Mouj Muscat. The expansive campus spread over 3.5 hectares includes a contemporary Learning Centre, state-of-the-art Athletics Centre, an avant-garde Performing Arts Centre, and interactive indoor and outdoor learning spaces that enable facilitation of a truly global education to local and expatriate students. 

In her inaugural address, Lamya Al Kiyumi, Board Chair, ABA Board of Directors said, “Over the past 35 years, ABA has seen remarkable growth and we are delighted to begin the next chapter of our story at our new Al Irfan campus. To everyone who has been a part of our ABA family, this campus is the result of the vision and the culmination of the efforts of numerous Heads of School, Board directors, teachers, staff, families, volunteers, architects, engineers and project managers. We are beyond excited for our children’s first day here on the 27th of March and we look forward to the happy memories they will create in their new home.”

Craig Williamson, the Head of School expressed, “The ABA Al Irfan campus was built with the vision to provide our students with an enriching environment that is conducive to holistic growth. It took a team of dedicated individuals many years of hard labour to realise this long-harboured dream and the result is truly incredible. We continue to constantly strive to ensure that our ABA community has access to the best learning facilities where students thrive and flourish, building on their skills to realise their true potential.”

With 11 dedicated science laboratories, 6 design and technology labs, and an extensive library and resource centre, the ABA Al Irfan campus provides top-notch facilities for students to expand their learning. The purpose-built Athletics Centre includes two gymnasiums with multiple courts for basketball, badminton and volleyball, all built to international standards, while the Aquatics Centre houses a 25 metre 8-lane indoor swimming pool. Among the many striking features at the ABA Al Irfan campus are the rooftop tennis courts that offer a stunning view of the Muscat skyline.

ABA Al Irfan has plenty of open play and learning spaces too, including an outdoor shaded amphitheatre, the Early Childhood Garden, and a unique Sky Terrace. At the heart of the exceptional Performing Arts Centre, complete with innovative fine art studios, recording and music studios as per Wenger standards, is a world-class Theatre that can accommodate more than 500 people.

A long-time parent with three children studying at ABA stated, “We are extremely excited for our children to experience a world of endless possibilities, through the exceptional learning facilities at the new ABA Al Irfan campus. We strongly believe that that value-added IB curriculum offered at ABA will enable them to become global citizens.” ABA Oman International School is a not-for-profit IB Continuum School in Muscat, Oman, providing international education of the highest quality in an intercultural environment. With over 930 K-12 students, the diverse and inclusive ABA community is represented by a highly experienced faculty, staff and families from over 70 different nationalities. Founded in 1987 as the American British Academy, ABA continues its long legacy of educating the next generation of leaders and innovators, inspiring them to impact their world positively.