The foundation stone of the Khalifa bin Zayed School was laid in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, in the presence of a number of senior Kazakh officials and ambassadors of the GCC, Arab and foreign countries in Kazakhstan.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Ahmed Juma Al Za'abi, Deputy Minister for Presidential Affairs, and Deputy Chairman of Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation, said the school, to be built on the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and follow-up of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Chairman of Khalifa Foundation, is part of the UAE's efforts to support the education sector in Kazakhstan.

Noting that bilateral ties were growing and evolving steadily and firmly towards a constructive economic partnership, particularly in education and health, Al Za'abi said that the school, when completed, would constitute a qualitative addition to the learning process in Kazakhstan.

Stretching 37,000 square metres with a built-up area of 14,300 square metres, the school will accommodate 1,200 students at the primary, preparatory and secondary levels, he added.

The UAE Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Suhail Mattar Al Ketbi, also addressed the ceremony, saying that the health and educational development project by the UAE aimed at facilitating development in Kazakhstan to serve its people.

The UAE assistance was well received by the people of Kazakhstan and the government was very keen to implement development projects, he added.

In his welcome address, the governor of Astana conveyed the regards of Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan, to President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and his best wishes for good health and happiness.

The UAE was among the few countries that contributed development aid to his country, and for that it gained immense respect and regards from the Kazakh people, he noted.

He said that the Khalifa Foundation has funded several projects in Kazakhstan including the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Grand Mosque which accommodates 1,000 worshippers and a 200-bed hospital that serves thousands of patients.

Later, Al Za'abi launched a book, prepared by the government of Kazakhstan, on the UAE and the achievements it has made under the leadership of Sheikh Khalifa. He also attended the celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the adoption the country's Constitution.
Source: WAM