Faizal Kottikollon, UIBC–UC Chairman, brings Kerala’s Nadakkavu school model to Jammu & Kashmir with the DREAM School inauguration in Srinagar on October 27.
DUBAI: In a powerful display of Indo-UAE collaboration and educational reform, Faizal E. Kottikollon, Chairman of the UAE India Business Council – UAE Chapter (UIBC–UC) and founder of the Faizal & Shabana Foundation (FSF), is set to launch a flagship DREAM School Project in Srinagar. The newly transformed Middle School block at Government Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS), Kothibagh, will be inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, on October 27, 2025.
The DREAM School initiative is a major leap in reimagining public education in the region, drawing inspiration from Kerala’s Nadakkavu School model, which has already uplifted more than 900 schools through the PRISM framework. This model combines holistic child development, modern infrastructure, teacher training, and community engagement.
This Srinagar project was first committed by Kottikollon during a high-level UIBC–UC visit in 2023, which also saw the groundbreaking of the Emaar Mall of Srinagar. It marks a deepening of Indo-UAE ties and reflects Kottikollon’s vision of cross-border philanthropy as a force for societal transformation.
In his meeting with Shri Manoj Sinha, Kottikollon invited the Governor to lead the inauguration and also discussed future collaborations in education, healthcare, and wellness, including his latest venture—the Tulah Wellness Sanctuary.
The school’s transformation includes smart classrooms, digital libraries, IT labs, and a new global-standard school block. Over 90 teachers from Kerala and Kashmir have been trained for this project, promoting cross-regional learning and professional development. Workshops such as the North-South Dialogue and Theme-Centric Interventions (TCI) aim to foster inclusivity and shared values.
Kottikollon expressed gratitude to the Lieutenant Governor for his support, saying, “We are humbled to contribute to Srinagar’s future. This school is more than infrastructure—it’s a symbol of hope, equity, and the power of Indo-UAE collaboration.”
With dedicated offices on-site and at the Directorate of School Education, the project ensures continuous oversight and long-term impact. The DREAM School is not just an educational model—it is a blueprint for future-ready public schooling across India.
