U City invests USD162 million in "VERSO International School", largest international school in Bangkok, Thailand

VERSO International School engages IDEO to create blueprint and offers a personalized educational experience designed with students' interests and passions at its core, and boasts Thailand's first and only Olympic-sized indoor swimming pool with climate control

BANGKOK, Sept. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- U City Plc., an affiliate of one of Thailand's largest infrastructure developers BTS Group Holdings Plc., in cooperation with Fortune Hand Ventures Ltd from Hong Kong, has today announced a 5-billion-baht investment (USD162 million) in the establishment of a VERSO International School.

VERSO International School delivers a compelling vision for an innovative, future-focused international school. Designed and constructed from the ground up, VERSO represents a paradigm-shift not only in its physical design but also in the way in which learning experiences are being re-engineered to inspire students to reach beyond the traditional limitations of schooling. Global design and innovation firm IDEO was involved in design the school blueprint and learning concept.

The state-of-the-art campus, located on the biggest land plot of all school developments in Bangkok (next to the Thana City estate in eastern Bangkok), represents a "turning of the page" in international school design. It offers a highly innovative educational model that will prepare children with the skills needed to successfully adapt to a rapidly changing world. Scheduled to open in August 2020, the school will boast a capacity of 1,800 Thai and international students from Pre-Nursery to Grade 12.

"It is my long-term goal to create something that will benefit future generations, not only to add value to our business," said Mr. Keeree Kanjanapas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of BTS Group Holdings Plc and U City Plc. "I have always aimed to invest in human resources, and eventually found the right partner, which is Fortune Hand Ventures, to build an international school that truly provides an innovative and highly progressive educational experience in Bangkok," he added.

"Through this partnership we are building a new international school that offers a groundbreaking approach to learning combined with expansive facilities that will nurture a new generation of visionaries," Keeree continued. "At the same time, we are transforming one of the company's assets next to our Thana City estate on the Bangna-Trad road into a value-accretive property for the future. Located on a total project space of 66.5 acres, the school is set to become the largest international school in the Bangkok metropolitan area with approximately 60% of green space of the total area."