Sir Bani Yas witnesses successful engagement with students

The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK), has launched its Winter Activities Program under the slogan “The UAE Spirit Camp”, during which, the Sir Bani Yas challenge project is witnessing successful engagement with students. The project includes scientific, environmental, sports, and cultural activities that aim to identify and reward excellence among students, equipping them with leadership skills and a sense of responsibility through various activities.

Commenting on the project, Her Excellency Dr. Karima Matar Al Mazrouei, Acting Executive Director of the School Education Sector at ADEK, said: “The Sir Bani Yas Challenge project is in line with the efforts of the UAE’s wise leaders and the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may he rest in peace, to protect the environment and its resources, and to ensure the establishment of many nature reserves in the country. This is in addition to protecting natural life and endangered species along with initiatives to maintain a sustainable environment

Through the UAE Spirit Camp, we are keen to productively invest students’ time by directing them to scientific, environmental, sports and cultural activities, and nature reserves.” added Al Mazrouei.

Nasser Khamis Al Marri, Acting Programs Development Director at ADEK, commented: “The Winter Camp offers skill-improving activities that help build healthier community ties, enhancing students’ personal skills and interaction, the spirit of competition, and instilling in them a passion for innovation, with a view to maximizing the use of school holidays. In addition, the project helps in encouraging tourism on Sir Bani Yas Island, one of the most important landmarks and reserves in Abu Dhabi Emirate.”

“We are very happy that the Sir Bani Yas Challenge project is encouraging productive interaction among students. The project is based on 4 main pillars of activities: the scientific activities and competitions; environmental activities focusing mainly on discovering marine life in the UAE and takes the students on a trip to the Avicenniaceae mangroves and nature reserves, as well as research on the use of alternative energy resources on Sir Bani Yas Island; sports activities including rowing, archery and horse riding; and cultural activities including traditional cooking and hospitality lessons, along with educational sessions about the history of the United Arab Emirates.” he said.

60 Cycle 3 students are participating in the Sir Bani Yas challenge project from 16^th to the 20^th of December 2018, and have been divided into six teams. Each team includes 10 students who are learning and competing with each other in different activities according to their skills and capabilities.

The Winter Activities Program, which runs in Abu Dhabi until the 10^th of January, 2019, is a part of ADEK’s efforts to take advantage of the student’s school holidays, introducing them to the UAE culture and reinforcing the students’ national identity. The program includes the Culture, Heritage and Science Camp project in Community Schools and the Future Leaders Trip project. It also contributes to providing students with cognitive, scientific, practical and leadership skills, instills the spirit of competition among groups, and encourages creativity and innovation at work.