Muscat: The Indian School Muscat (ISM) celebrated academic excellence during its highly anticipated Annual Academic Merit Award ceremony, which recognized the achievements of outstanding students and staff members on August 8th, 2024, in the school’s multipurpose hall.
ISM presents its prestigious Academic Merit Awards annually to students from Classes V to XII, acknowledging their dedication and perseverance in attaining the highest levels of academic excellence within their esteemed institution.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of numerous distinguished dignitaries, with Prof. Mohamed Al Ismaily, the Founder Chairman and Dean of Oman Dental College, serving as the Chief Guest. Dr. Sivakumar Manickam, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Indian Schools Oman, was the Guest of Honour, and Jaypal Manik Dethe, the Second Secretary of the Embassy of India to the Sultanate of Oman, was the Special Guest. Distinguished members of the Board of Directors and the School Management Committee, along with the Principal, Rakesh Joshi, the Senior Vice Principal for Administration, the Vice-Principals, Assistant Vice-Principals from various departments, Heads of Departments, faculty members, proud parents, and the student body, all witnessed the grandeur of the event.
The ceremony commenced with the playing of the National Anthems of Oman and India, followed by a moving rendition of the invocation song by the school choir, establishing a reverent atmosphere for the evening.
Nihal Bhat, the Head Boy, welcomed all attendees with a warm greeting.
A total of 409 students (148 from the Middle Section and 261 from the Senior Section) and 87 teachers walked down the aisle, proudly displaying their awards and merit certificates across various categories, including Chairman’s Award, President’s Award, Principal’s Honours Award, Subject Toppers’ Award, and Merit Awards. Additionally, 56 teachers were recognized for achieving 100% attendance, and 31 teachers received accolades for inspiring their students to excel in various subjects in the CBSE Board Exams 2023-24.
Vidhya Vishnu, who was honored with the prestigious School Level Award for Excellence in Teaching for the academic year 2022-2023, conferred by the Board of Directors, Indian Schools Oman, was also celebrated during this event.
The awards and merit certificates were presented to the deserving academic achievers by the Chief Guest, the Guest of Honour, the Second Secretary of the Embassy of India, members of the Board of Directors, members of the School Management Committee, and the Principal of the school.
In his congratulatory address, the Chief Guest eloquently discussed the transformative potential of education, emphasizing the importance of continuous striving for excellence. He concluded his speech with a poignant quote from Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." The guest of honor, during his remarks, extended his compliments to the awardees, highlighting their achievements as a testament to their dedication, resilience, and commitment to excellence. He reminded them of the power of determination and hard work in realizing their goals.
The audience was captivated by the musical performance by the Senior Section Choir and the mesmerizing dance routines, each movement a perfect expression of grace and rhythm. In celebration of ISM's Golden Jubilee, a promotional video was unveiled, encapsulating the spirit of ISM @ 50 and its mission to inspire and educate the youth for a brighter future.
The award ceremony concluded with a sincere expression of gratitude from the Head Girl, Gayathri Amar Kumar, in a heartfelt vote of thanks to the students, parents, and teachers for their steadfast support in making the event a resounding success.
The ceremony not only celebrated the students' achievements but also served as a source of motivation for them to continue pursuing excellence. Indian School Muscat remains committed to empowering its students, guiding them towards realizing their potential and becoming leaders and innovators. The ceremony was a significant milestone for the awardees and their proud parents, who have supported them every step of the way.
