On Wednesday, 7 September, 2016, ESMS signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Shenzhen Creative Investment Group (SCIG) regarding the provision and establishment of ESMS International in Shenzhen China.
The Mayor of Shenzhen, Mr XU Qin, who was re-elected as Mayor in June 2015, witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh.
ESMS Principal, David Gray said, “We are looking forward to opening the first Scottish international school in China by 2019. We see this as a fine opportunity to export the all-round excellence of ESMS and the qualities of a Scottish education to one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in China.”
ESMS International will accommodate 1500 Chinese and international pupils in a purpose-built, all-through primary and secondary school in the eastern Chinese city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province.
David Gray said, “The core values of ESMS are something which have really attracted our Chinese investors to work with us and we are now determined to replicate the quality and the enthusiasm that our pupils and their teachers bring to ESMS, Edinburgh in our ESMS International School in China.”
ESMS has been working closely with Mr Weipeng Zhong, Chairman of the Shenzhen Creative Investment Group, in establishing the collaboration on this significant project which will develop even stronger links between the cities of Edinburgh and Shenzhen.
Mr Zhong said, "I am delighted to be collaborating with ESMS to open the first Scottish International School in Shenzhen. The core values of ESMS stand out for me as something that will be especially attractive to the students at the ESMS International School in Shenzhen.”
The Shenzhen Creative Investment Group has helped to establish the Edinburgh Shenzhen Creative Exchange, working with the city authorities to establish an Edinburgh incubator in Shenzhen, and a Shenzhen company base at the The Creative Exchange in Leith. These creative hubs allow creative and tech businesses in both cities to reach new markets through reciprocal soft landing space.
Mike Sims, Chairman of the Governing Council of ESMS said, “The Principal and I have been privileged to travel to Shenzhen to meet Mr Zhong and his team in Shenzhen and also to meet key members of the Shenzhen authorities. We are very confident that Shenzhen, with its close proximity to Hong Kong, opens up excellent educational and cultural links between Edinburgh and Shenzhen for both Chinese and Scottish students.”
