HE Sheikh Nahayan Officially Dedicates New ACS Campus

In a landmark celebration of education and cultural partnership, His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, UAE Cabinet Member and Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, officially dedicated the American Community School of Abu Dhabi’s (ACS) new Saadiyat Campus in a memorable ceremony that marked a major milestone in the school’s 51-year legacy.

Held on the newly opened campus, the event featured a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and brought together esteemed dignitaries and special guests. Among them were Her Excellency Martina Strong, United States Ambassador to the UAE; His Excellency Saif Al Mazrouai, Advisor to the Minister of Education; Her Excellency Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Assistant Minister of Political Affairs; His Excellency Salem Alnuaimi, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Pension Fund and ACS Honorary Trustee; ACS Superintendent Monique Flickinger; and ACS Board Chair and alumnus Matt Ayoub, Class of 1994.

As part of the dedication, HE Sheikh Nahayan unveiled the official campus plaque and invited Grade 4 and 5 student ambassadors to participate in the symbolic planting of a Ghaf tree, a meaningful gesture representing resilience and unity. The tree was a special gift from Sheikh Zayed’s Gardens in Al Ain, connecting the new campus to the UAE’s rich environmental and cultural heritage. The tree also has special meaning for ACS as it represents our deeply rooted history and the part Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the nation, played in our school’s creation. His generous donation of land in Al Bateen was home to our first campus for nearly 50 years.

“This day is a proud moment not only for ACS but for the greater educational and cultural landscape of the UAE,” said Sheikh Nahayan. “I offer my best wishes for the continued success of the American Community School. May it continue to be a major center of learning for its students, as well as a model for excellent education in the United Arab Emirates and the world.”

ACS Superintendent Monique Flickinger extended her appreciation to all those who made the milestone possible. “We are deeply grateful to His Highness, the President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and the Abu Dhabi Government for their generous support. We also thank H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan and our many partners and stakeholders for their enduring commitment to the future of education,” Ms. Flickinger remarked. “Today is not only a celebration of a new beginning but also a reaffirmation of our school’s historic ties with Abu Dhabi – built on a foundation of mutual respect, shared values, and a deep commitment to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.”

ACS Board Chair, Matt Ayoub added, “The dedication of our new Saadiyat Campus represents more than just a physical expansion – it reflects a continued partnership between the UAE and the United States, rooted in a shared commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global citizenship.” As a beacon of educational leadership in the region, ACS’s new campus stands as a powerful symbol of progress, collaboration, and the promise of future generations.