Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) has signed a framework agreement with GEMS School Management (GSM), the advisory and operational arm of GEMS Education, under which GSM will manage and operate Aqaba International School starting from the beginning of the next academic year.
The agreement with GEMS Education, one of the world’s leading and most established private education groups, operating more than 90 international schools worldwide, aligns with ADC’s vision to elevate the quality of education and provide an integrated learning environment that meets the highest internationally recognized standards. It also reflects the Corporation’s commitment to supporting sustainable development in Aqaba and strengthening the city’s competitiveness, helping attract investors, talent, and families seeking to live, work, and settle in Aqaba, while reinforcing its position as an integrated destination for investment and living.
ADC Chief Executive Officer Hussein Safadi said, "This agreement will ensure that students have access to an education that meets the highest international standards here in Aqaba, opening exceptional opportunities for them, empowering our educators, and reaffirming the Corporation’s firm commitment to investing in people and the future of the local community.”
Safadi added that providing a world-class international education ecosystem in Aqaba is a key component of strengthening the city’s investment environment, giving investors, professionals, and their families confidence that Aqaba can meet their educational and lifestyle needs to the highest standards.
Under the agreement, Aqaba International School will benefit from GEMS Education’s expertise and extensive resources through continuous professional development programs for teachers and the exchange of best educational practices across GEMS schools worldwide. These initiatives will contribute to enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, improving academic outcomes, and creating broader opportunities for students to excel and succeed.
Robert Tarn, CEO of GEMS School Management, said, "We are delighted to partner with Aqaba Development Corporation to lead the next chapter in the journey of Aqaba International School. The school has a strong foundation and an impressive record of student achievements, and we look forward to working with the school community to create further opportunities for students and strengthen the school’s position as one of the region’s leading international schools.”
Aqaba International School is the only school offering an international curriculum in southern Jordan and currently serves more than 450 students. Since 2023, the school has undergone a significant transformation in its educational journey through the implementation of an advanced governance and leadership framework and the attainment of prestigious international accreditations, including Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation and OxfordAQA accreditation. The school has also introduced the Cambridge Early Years curriculum and the Tamayouz Arabic Language Programme and has been recognised as a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP).
Students have also achieved notable national and international accomplishments in science and sports, including qualifying for the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in the United States, receiving the Cambridge Outstanding Learner Award, achieving top positions in the English Language Olympiad, and winning numerous awards and medals in local and international competitions. These achievements reflect the quality of the school’s learning environment and the excellence of its educational outcomes.
The partnership with GEMS to manage and operate Aqaba International School marks a new strategic milestone in the school’s development and the launch of the third phase of its 2025–2030 development plan. The plan focuses on strengthening International Baccalaureate programs, expanding learning opportunities and extracurricular activities, investing in technology and innovation, building leadership capabilities, and increasing the school’s capacity to serve 700 students. These efforts aim to further establish the school as one of the region’s leading international schools.
ADC has also recently completed comprehensive renovation and modernization works across the school’s indoor and outdoor facilities, enhancing the readiness of the learning environment, providing students with a more advanced and higher-quality educational experience, supporting teaching and learning, and improving the services offered to students.
