Deira International School became the first educational institution in the world to graduate students from an ambitious international baccalaureate (IB) course--the IBCC--a pilot programme which the IB will formally launch worldwide in 2011.

The prestigious Al-Futtaim owned school at Dubai Festival City is one of only a dozen schools in the world trialing the pilot course. The pilot programme will formally launch worldwide in 2011.

IBCC offers students an alternative to the highly academic international baccalaureate diploma. The course enables students to continue work at school whilst participating in work related experience and training as well as studying certificates from the diploma course.

Deira International School has developed the course in conjunction with Al-Futtaim Training Centre and work placement is with the companies that are part of the group.

John Bastable, director, Deira International School said: “This is truly a momentous occasion and we are immensely proud to be the only educational institution in the world to see graduates walk away with honours from this new career related course.”

“This is a new frontier for the IB and a wonderful opportunity for many more students to experience the rich and valuable educational philosophy which the IB offers,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service