Our
Governance
Board of Directors and Academic Advisory Board
Board of Directors
The primary responsibility of our Board of Directors is to ensure that the Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD) implements its business plan and decides on major financial decisions as well as collaborates with the board of governors in meeting their academic mission. The Board meets up to four times a year and will evolve to comprise up to 7 members.
The current members of the Board of Directors are:
Founder, SISD –
Swiss Citizen
Motto: “’The best way to predict the future is to build it.”
Inspiration: Education is a fundamental pillar of a sustainable society and SISD was created as legacy to the development Dubai’s sustainable economic and educational infrastructure.
A Swiss citizen born in Geneva, Omar can be defined as a social entrepreneur involved in “positive economy”. A staunch supporter of quality instruction, he has been funding graduate and undergraduate education programs for university students at Webster University in Geneva and serves on the Advisory Board of the University of St. Louis in Missouri. Furthermore, he created, funded and taught a junior creative entrepreneurship program for teenagers at the Institut Florimont in Geneva. This passion, coupled with his major skills in creativity, financial expertise and ability to execute visions, naturally led him to found the Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai. A firm believer in creative thinking and entrepreneurship, Omar strived to create a financially sustainable business with social implications in Dubai. “I have always wanted to build a school, I took my inspiration from my mentor in education, Francis Clivaz, the founder of the Collège du Léman in Geneva, and my passion for children,” says Omar.
A partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) reinforced Omar’s vision to build a sustainable school for future generations on an eco-friendly campus. His idea to bring ‘Swissness’ – Switzerland and its values – to Dubai was not only visionary, but today it is grounded in reality of the largest Swiss International School abroad with more than 2000 students on one campus. The Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai, is the first in the GCC to provide a sustainable school environmental architecture, a unique boarding experience for which Switzerland is internationally recognized and a unique, immersive bilingual curriculum in two major Swiss languages.
A Vision for Education
“Having been educated in Collège du Léman in Geneva and at the French Lycée of Los Angeles, both bilingual international high-schools, these was fundamental in my education to develop a spirit of openness, I am a firm believer in cultural diversity and the pedagogical benefits of bilingual education”. In line with an excellent curriculum – “a given” -, the bilingual approach and international cultural aspect is central to my vision. My mission is to introduce Swiss education to Dubai, hence offering diversity in the education landscape, where a strong spirit of openness and cultural diversity are evidenced every day.
The Values central to the vision
“The Swiss value excellency and flexibility in their educational system especially in terms of career choices. The Swiss educational system offers less academic students alternatives in vocational programs alongside the Matura. Swiss education is truly international in essence. The International Baccalaureate, invented in Geneva 1968, is the proof that Switzerland has an international approach to education. My ambition is to help students become global citizens with an open mind on the world, an ability to respect their external environment as well as their own nature. My whole pedagogical strategy is symbolized by SISD’s four rings of values: Bilingual, Excellence, Sustainability, Together.”
The motivation
“As an entrepreneur, the vision is the motivation; every entrepreneur is motivated to realize his vision. Education is where it all begins and investing in education is a testament to a sustainable society. SISD was not only built for my own children but also as a ‘’home away from home’’ for likeminded parents valuing our B.E.S.T values. As a legacy project, SISD should remind my children that it takes hard work as well as a resilience to build something real and not just press “enter” on a keyboard to receive things. Self-satisfaction in realizing the vision has kept me motivated to cope with the challenges associated with building an educational institution both on the infrastructure leading to the most efficient energy consumption building of the region, but also in becoming a cultural venue creating ties between all its members, teachers, students and our parents in becoming one big family. I am proud that Dubai has become, and will undoubtedly be cited as, an education hub of reference not only in the GCC, but in the world and the Swiss International Scientific School will continue to contribute to it.”
Omar moved to Dubai in 2010 and is father to 4 children. An avid sports man, he has won 5 World Championship title in Offshore Racing. You can talk to Omar in English and French.
Bin Juma Al Maktoum
Honorary Chairman –
UAE Citizen
His Highness Sheikh Butti Bin Juma Al Maktoum is a respected member of the Maktoum family having served for many years in government positions in the Dubai Armed Forces.
He was the founder of one of the first and most respected English curriculum colleges in the UAE: The English College. He has also been developing his own commercial interests in construction and property.His Highness Sheikh Butti has shown his passion for sports, having been President of both the UAE Olympic Committee and the UAE Football Association. He was also the inaugural Chairman of The Emirates Golf Club. Furthermore, his interest in wild life is well documented in both Europe and the Middle East.
Co-Founder & Chairman
of the Board – UAE Citizen
Abdul Hamied Seddiqi is current Vice Chairman of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and a board member on several government, local and international committees.
Abdul Hamied’s first job was in the foreign league, but he soon shifted his attention to watches. He attained a Bachelor of Business Management from Lemania College in Lausanne, Switzerland and took a position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi as the main liaison for various government ministries.He joined Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons in 1979 and assisted his brothers in opening the company’s third store. As Deira began its economic boom, Abdul Hamied helped grow the company’s portfolio of Swiss brands, focusing on the growing number of fashion brands entering the market. With an eye for new business opportunities, Abdul Hamied Seddiqi also ventured into the Real Estate sector and invested in Capricorn Tower, which is now the company’s head office.
In January 2008, La Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie appointed Abdul Hamied as Ambassador of Fine Watchmaking Industry for the Middle East region. Abdul Hamied’s professional reputation, vast knowledge of mechanical, technical and precious fine watchmaking, as well as continuous support of the art of watchmaking makes him the ideal choice to represent the foundation.
He is also a member of various boards, including the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Emirates Development Bank (Abu Dhabi) and the Dubai Contracting Co, while also serving as the Chairman of Al Manara International Jewellery.
Group Chief Executive and Founder of Tristar Group of Companies
Group Chief Executive and Founder of Tristar Group of Companies. Full P&L responsibility for all group activities spanning ship owing and operation, surface transport, fuel farms, chemicals, warehousing and turnkey fuel solutions spread across 16 countries in Middle East, Africa, Asia, Pacific and Central America.
Mr. Mayne started his professional career in Dubai in 1976 with Caltex Petroleum Corporation and in pursuit of his dreams took an early retirement and founded Tristar Transport in 1998. Since then he has led the company from humble beginnings in 1998 to its current leadership position in the Middle East logistics business. Some of his notable achievements include Tristar being a two time winner of the Dubai Quality appreciation award, winner of the Prince Michael award for road safety and five time gold winner of the Royal Society for prevention of accidents in the UK.Mr. Mayne has recently been listed by Forbes as no 38 of top Indian leaders in the Arab world. He lives in Dubai with his wife Joan and likes to spend weekend time with his grandchildren.
Representative of HH Sheikh Butti Bin Juma Al Maktoum – Swiss Citizen
Born in Geneva (Switzerland), Bilbo is an entrepreneur interested in emerging countries and project management. Bilbo has a vast network thanks to his golf career which brought him to many different parts of the world.
He is the Managing Director of Emirates Business Consultants, a company specialised in business development solutions in the GCC. The partners of EBC have more than 30 years of experience in the region and its Chairman is HH Sheikh Butti Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum.Bilbo Perrot is also an advisor to mining, real estate and forestry companies.
Bilbo was 11 times the Swiss National Golf Champion, he played for the Swiss National Team as well as for the European Continental Team. He also played 3 years on the Tour as professional.Bilbo is a passionate watch collector, lives in Dubai since 2003 and is married with one child.
Academic Advisory Board
The primary responsibility of our Academic Advisory Board is to ensure that the school operates in the best interest of its learners, teachers, and parents. Its specific responsibilities are Strategic Planning, Personnel and Policy adoption as well as Curriculum and Instruction. The Board meets up to four times a year and will include representation from all sections of the school community.
The current members of the Academic Advisory Board are:
Founder, SISD – Swiss Citizen
Motto: “’The best way to predict the future is to build it.”
Inspiration: Education is a fundamental pillar of a sustainable society and SISD was created as legacy to the development Dubai’s sustainable economic and educational infrastructure.
A Swiss citizen born in Geneva, Omar can be defined as a social entrepreneur involved in “positive economy”. A staunch supporter of quality instruction, he has been funding graduate and undergraduate education programs for university students at Webster University in Geneva and serves on the Advisory Board of the University of St. Louis in Missouri. Furthermore, he created, funded and taught a junior creative entrepreneurship program for teenagers at the Institut Florimont in Geneva. This passion, coupled with his major skills in creativity, financial expertise and ability to execute visions, naturally led him to found the Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai. A firm believer in creative thinking and entrepreneurship, Omar strived to create a financially sustainable business with social implications in Dubai. “I have always wanted to build a school, I took my inspiration from my mentor in education, Francis Clivaz, the founder of the Collège du Léman in Geneva, and my passion for children,” says Omar.
A partnership with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) reinforced Omar’s vision to build a sustainable school for future generations on an eco-friendly campus. His idea to bring ‘Swissness’ – Switzerland and its values – to Dubai was not only visionary, but today it is grounded in reality of the largest Swiss International School abroad with more than 2000 students on one campus. The Swiss International Scientific School, Dubai, is the first in the GCC to provide a sustainable school environmental architecture, a unique boarding experience for which Switzerland is internationally recognized and a unique, immersive bilingual curriculum in two major Swiss languages.
A Vision for Education
“Having been educated in Collège du Léman in Geneva and at the French Lycée of Los Angeles, both bilingual international high-schools, these was fundamental in my education to develop a spirit of openness, I am a firm believer in cultural diversity and the pedagogical benefits of bilingual education”. In line with an excellent curriculum – “a given” -, the bilingual approach and international cultural aspect is central to my vision. My mission is to introduce Swiss education to Dubai, hence offering diversity in the education landscape, where a strong spirit of openness and cultural diversity are evidenced every day.
The Values central to the vision
“The Swiss value excellency and flexibility in their educational system especially in terms of career choices. The Swiss educational system offers less academic students alternatives in vocational programs alongside the Matura. Swiss education is truly international in essence. The International Baccalaureate, invented in Geneva 1968, is the proof that Switzerland has an international approach to education. My ambition is to help students become global citizens with an open mind on the world, an ability to respect their external environment as well as their own nature. My whole pedagogical strategy is symbolized by SISD’s four rings of values: Bilingual, Excellence, Sustainability, Together.”
The motivation
“As an entrepreneur, the vision is the motivation; every entrepreneur is motivated to realize his vision. Education is where it all begins and investing in education is a testament to a sustainable society. SISD was not only built for my own children but also as a ‘’home away from home’’ for likeminded parents valuing our B.E.S.T values. As a legacy project, SISD should remind my children that it takes hard work as well as a resilience to build something real and not just press “enter” on a keyboard to receive things. Self-satisfaction in realizing the vision has kept me motivated to cope with the challenges associated with building an educational institution both on the infrastructure leading to the most efficient energy consumption building of the region, but also in becoming a cultural venue creating ties between all its members, teachers, students and our parents in becoming one big family. I am proud that Dubai has become, and will undoubtedly be cited as, an education hub of reference not only in the GCC, but in the world and the Swiss International Scientific School will continue to contribute to it.”
Omar moved to Dubai in 2010 and is father to 4 children. An avid sports man, he has won 5 World Championship title in Offshore Racing. You can talk to Omar in English and French.
Principal
Having served as a principal at three Dubai schools – Jumeirah English Speaking School, GEMS Wellington International School and Deira International School, Dubai, during the last 13 years, Ruth has almost unrivalled experience of what it means to teach and manage schools in a truly multicultural environment.
Her achievements include improving academic outcomes, increasing attainment for UAE nationals, developing better parent/teacher communications, transparency and engagement, and achieving improvements across the board at all her schools.
Ruth holds a Bachelor of Education degree with Honours from Trinity College, Dublin and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management from the UK’s University of Bath.
Deputy Head of School
Founder of College Du Leman, Switzerland —
Swiss Citizen
Director General of Institut Florimont, Geneva – Swiss Citizen
Academic Counsellor
Chairperson of SISD Parent Forum Committee – Parent Representative
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer – Seddiqi Holding
Hind Abdul Hamied Seddiqi is the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Seddiqi Holding and Director General of Dubai Watch Week. She is responsible for leading the integrated marketing strategies across Seddiqi Holding, as well as internal and external communication tactics and plans. Hind also oversees the Customer Experience (CX) communications for all business units, including Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and Seddiqi Properties.
Since joining the family business over a decade ago, Hind’s leadership skills saw her quickly rise through the family business and she has played an instrumental role in re- structuring the company’s marketing department. A third-generation member of the Seddiqi family, Hind is also an active member of the Seddiqi Holding Executive Committee where she contributes to the professional development and interests of department heads, as well as the progress of the various business units.
In addition to her role as CMCO, Hind also leads the Omni-Channel team within Seddiqi Holding and is a member of the Omni-Channel and ERP Advisory Working Group. The objective of this new division is to strategically plan & lead all digital initiatives within the organization and drive end to end digital projects (e-commerce and non-e- commerce). A key business priority outlined is to ensure digital marketing efforts are data-driven and tracked via accurate data analytics solutions.
The mission of this committee is to ignite the Omni-Channel transformation by introducing the technology ecosystem upgrade across the business. This also entails developing an internal communications strategy that is responsible for driving the culture change within the organization, embracing the new business model and objectives outlined, setting the foundations to become a data driven business. Under her guidance and leadership, the business has seen successful integration of SAP, Cegid, Salesforce amongst other platforms across the organization.
Her passion and expertise resulted in the establishment of Dubai Watch Week in 2015, a global non-commercial platform dedicated to the preservation of watchmaking culture and heritage. With uniting the watch community and providing an educational platform at the forefront of her vision, Dubai Watch Week has evolved into a key calendar biennial event and has entrenched Dubai as a global hub in the horology industry.
Hind is also a member the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy board. Under the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the new chamber was recently formed, under an overarching Dubai
Chambers, to lead a comprehensive economic development in Dubai and boost its position as a global business hub.
English College Principal
Mark Ford brings with him over three decades of experience in education. He graduated in Mathematics from Nottingham, before completing his PGCE at York University. His career has seen him teaching in the UK, Kenya, France, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, at Abu Dhabi’s ADEK ‘Outstanding School’, The British School Al Khubairat, followed by a Principal position at Dubai’s ‘Outstanding’ Dubai British School until 2016. He then moved to Kuala Lumpur to head the prestigious, British Garden International School before joining The English College in August 2019.
Director of Corporate Relations, for Middle East and Africa at Harvard Business School
Stephane joined Harvard Business School in 2015 and is based in Dubai. With over 20 years experience in executive education, his expertise ranges from selling complex management development programs with global roll-out to serving as trusted advisor to Fortune 500 Talent Directors in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Prior to joining Harvard Business School, Stephane started his career in Quality Management in France, the UK and Canada. He entered the world of executive education at INSEAD in 2001, then joined Thunderbird School of Global Management in 2004. In July 2015, he relocated to Dubai for Harvard Business School as Director Client Development for Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. Stephane focuses his business development activities to co design with his Clients impactful learning solutions to accelerate organizational effectiveness.
From 2011 to 2015, Stephane served as an Executive Education Steering Committee Member for the Brussels based European Foundation for Management Development.
Stephane holds an MBA from Thunderbird, is originally from Reunion Island in the Indian Ocean, has two very active boys and an equally education passionate spouse.
