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International Conferences & Exhibitions to launch International Student Fest this November

Debuting show to complement UAE’s robust education sector predicted to touch 1.4 million in 2020
Dubai, UAE – September 7th, 2016 – International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E), one of the longest-standing international exhibition houses in the Middle East, has announced the launch of the International Student Festival to ensure that students in the region have a common event that they can relate to as well as own. The move complements a recent industry survey, which forecasts that the number of students in schools and universities in the UAE will grow at an annual of 4.1 per cent to reach 1.4 million in 2020 from 1.1 million in 2015. The pioneering event will take place from November 24 to 26, 2016 at Meydan Grandstand and Convention Centre in Dubai. 

Specially designed for the UAE’s multi-cultural community, the International Student Festival will provide a central stage supplemented by displays, seminars, workshops to connect youth coming from diverse cultural backgrounds. The show aims to position itself as the annual confluence of discussions, debates and discoveries that facilitates dynamic, creative and competitive learning facilitated by inter-college competitions in sports, fashion, and culinary skills, among others.
Aside from being beneficial to youth, the 2016 International Student Festival will provide a perfect platform for exhibitors to meet thousands of prospective students and develop personal relationships. In addition, it will provide participants with vast opportunities to display and demonstrate their products live on the spot to the audience as well as receive immediate feedback.

“The region’s education sector has registered a significant growth in student enrollments driven by population expansion, rise in disposable income, and enhancement in educational infrastructure. Aided by this robust growth and coupled with demand among students for a show that offers learning beyond the classroom, we have decided to introduce the International Student Festival as an informative and engaging venue for both visitors and participants. We are confident that the newly launched event will serve to initiate dialogue within the UAE’s international student community and bring out the best in them,” concluded Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences and Exhibitions.



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Vocational education will help realise UAE Government’s industry sector goals

Mark Andrews, Head of Pearson Qualifications International (PQI) in the Middle East, believes that quality vocational education programmes will be instrumental in helping to achieve the vision of the newly launched Industrial Council.
Dubai, UAE, June 1st, 2016 – On the 17th April 2016, the Cabinet of the UAE, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, endorsed the launch of the Industrial Coordination Council.

The establishment of the Council forms part of the UAE Government’s 2021 vision to build a diversified, knowledge based economy. It is hoped that the new Council will drive the growth of the Emirates’ industrial sector, helping to increase the sector’s contribution to national GDP. The Council, to be led by the Minister of Economy, will drive unity and bring greater cooperation between the various legislatures in the UAE in regards to industrial development.
A globally competitive industrial sector is high on the agenda of the UAE Government, and having a unified vision and strategy to develop the sector will go a long way to meeting this goal. Equipping UAE workers with the skills and knowledge needed to drive industrial growth will be influential in building a robust, industry-based economy. This includes those workers already engaged in the workforce, as well as younger students currently enrolled in school or higher education.
There is little doubt that a growing and modernising industrial sector requires contributions from a diverse range of workers. Candidates with strong skills in the science, technological, engineering and mathematics fields will thrive in the future economy envisioned by the UAE’s leaders.
But strong industrial growth also depends heavily on having enough vocationally qualified candidates to fill new and existing roles. Industry-reliant jobs are now more technical and highly skilled then in the past, and often require specific and intensive training.
Mark Andrews, Head of Pearson Qualifications International in the Middle East says:  “With industry burgeoning in the UAE, employers often find it difficult to attract candidates with the level of vocational qualifications necessary to perform in a number of roles. Young people in the UAE, like in many other countries throughout the region and around the world, are entering university at unprecedented rates. And yet despite the high level of education achieved by university graduates, many of them find it difficult to secure meaningful work on completion of their degree.
“Encouraging more of our young people into vocational education will therefore alleviate two of the main challenges created by a rapidly expanding industrial sector. Firstly, it will help to create enough candidates with the skills and knowledge demanded by industrial sector employers, and secondly, it will help to reduce youth unemployment figures created, in part, by an over-supply of university graduates. In other words, it will help to overcome the colloquially termed ‘skills gap”’.
The announcement earlier this year from the UAE’s National Qualifications Authority (NQA) and Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) that some international qualifications will be recognised throughout the UAE is a step towards meeting employee demand for vocationally trained workers. Many qualifications, which have long been recognised by awarding agencies around the world, will now also be officially recognised by the UAE government, making it easier for employees to identify candidates with high quality vocational qualifications. This means for example, that a student completing a BTEC Higher National Diploma at Emirates Aviation University will now have his or her qualification officially recognised by employers, government agencies and institutions throughout the UAE.
Mark Andrews believes that there are other steps that can be taken to boost the number of high quality vocational candidates entering the workforce. He says:  “Increasing dialogue between industry and education will also help to create a workforce ready to contribute to a dynamic, 21st Century industrial sector. Understanding what organisations are looking for in terms of skills and talent, and mapping education and qualifications against these needs is key. Making work-based training a significant component of vocational qualifications also helps to create candidates that can quickly perform in a work environment. Having apprenticeship-style programmes widely available helps to produce a valuable pipeline of highly capable workforce entrants.
“But building workforce capacity in the industrial sector is not just about ensuring that quality vocational programmes are widely available. Young people – through educators, parents and other advisors – need to be made aware of the potential benefits a quality vocational education can bring. Often vocational education is still seen as a lesser choice to a more academic or university based education. Young people deciding on which education route to take need to be informed about the rewarding and often well renumerated career paths that a vocational education can lead to. Encouraging many of our best and brightest to follow a vocational path, will be fundamental to the UAE’s industrial sector meeting its potential”.
ENDS
About Pearson:
It is no secret that a good education has the power to change a life. What is new is the demand for that change.
Governments are investing more than ever before on educating their citizens, eager for them to compete in the global workforce. A growing global middle class is spending more of its own money on educating their families. Employers are looking for a new sort of colleague – someone with the skills to flourish in the 21st century. Combined with technologies that continue to develop at breakneck speed, the result is a world that has the want, and the means, to learn at scale.
Yet there is so much to be done. One in five adults lack the written communication skills they need to progress in life, and 57 million children do not know what it’s like to step inside a classroom. Many millions more are in education, but not learning effectively.
The global challenge for education is not just about providing access, but also progress and success.
As the world’s leading learning company, we can help make a difference. But we also know that the challenges are too immense to tackle alone. So we’re fostering a global community of teachers, parents, students, governments, institutions and businesses, who can help us find the answers and deploy the solutions.
Together we aim to achieve our Efficacy Growth & Impact Goals, empowering the lives of 200 million learners by 2025 in critical ways including:
–           Access to high quality primary, secondary & postsecondary education.
–           Success in education through enhanced literacy, numeracy, knowledge & skills.
–           Progress as a result of education into a first career or advancement in career.
Meeting the global demand for education will make us a more profitable company, profits which we invest back into improving education for everyone – to ensure that the ultimate prize is a better world for us all to live in.


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His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives prestigious Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Salford, UAE

United Arab Emirates, 27 October 2015 – His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives prestigious Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Salford, UAE
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan receives prestigious Alumni Achievement Award from the University of Salford, UAE”
The University of Salford, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is delighted to announce that His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has been presented with a prestigious Alumni Achievement Award.

In receiving the award, His Highness joins an elite rank of graduates who have achieved particular distinction in their chosen field. His Highness graduated from the University of Salford with a Masters in Political Science in 1989.
The Alumni Achievement Award is awarded to distinguished individuals who have made exceptional contributions to their community and country in areas such as arts, society, business and humanitarian. His Highness was chosen for the award in recognition of his services to the development of the UAE as trusted adviser to the leadership of his father, His Highness Sheikh Kalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
In addition, His Highness has an impressive education record, holding two doctoral qualifications alongside a distinguished military career that has seen him reach, thus far, the senior rank of Staff Brigadier.
Commenting on the award, University of Salford Vice Chancellor, Professor Helen Marshall, said: “On behalf of the University of Salford we are honoured that His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has accepted our Alumni Achievement Award.  We are immensely proud to have such a distinguished individual as one of our former students.”
Graeme Mullin, Director of Partnerships in the Middle East, at the University, added: “At the University of Salford we are justly proud of the many great achievements of our diverse and vibrant global alumni community.
“We are truly honoured to have His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan as one of our alumni, and we can think of no one more deserving for this esteemed award. He continues to make a significant contribution to the country’s admirable vision of building an open, efficient, and internationally renowned society.”
This award also recognises the efforts and contributions of the Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation. Many of His Highness’s services to his country have been completed through this Foundation. The Foundation undertakes important work in pursuit of the advancement of scientific and medical practices that aim to improve the quality of life and alleviate human suffering. These include genetic screening and control programs that have a major impact in the community.
As well as his academic and charitable endeavours, His Highness is also an accomplished businessman, sitting as Chairman of SBK Holdings and as a board member of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. SBK Holdings have a range of companies that work across many different industries in the Gulf region and around the world. SBK companies employ 10,000 people in the UAE and the group’s business activities cover everything from hotels and real estate to newspaper publishing and distribution.
The award was presented  to His Highness in a private ceremony by Graeme Mullin, Director of Partnerships, Middle East,  at the University of Salford and Dr Ala Garad, CEO of Investors in People UAE and Chairman of the Salford GCC Advisory Board. Also at the presentation was Sunita Mirchandani, UAE Lead Advisor for Education and Training at the British Embassy in Dubai and Dr Mahmoud Taleb Al AIi, Executive Director of the Shiekh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation.
Dr Ala Garad added: “The relationship between students and their university is a life-long one. The University of Salford is proud of its sustained relationship with its alumni over years, across the world. This award is a landmark in the history of University to recognise the efforts and contributions of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.”


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British Council UAE announces dates of Education UK Exhibition (EDUKEX 2015) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

“Last year the UK issued around 1500 visas to Emiratis for study,” says UK Visas and Immigration at British Embassy in Abu Dhabi

 

Dubai, UAE, 27 October 2015 – The British Council UAE, the United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, will host the 14th edition of the Education UK Exhibition 2015 (EDUKEX) at Le Royal Meridien Abu Dhabi on November 10 and at Dubai World Trade Center, Al Multaqa Ballroom, on November 11 and 12, 2015.

The Abu Dhabi exhibition will feature around 20 universities and will be open between 04:00pm to 09:00pm, while the Dubai event will see participation of around 40 education providers between 05:00pm and 09:00pm over two days. The Gold Sponsor of the 14th edition of EDUKEX is British Council IELTS.

EDUKEX 2015 comes amidst rising interest among UAE students in completing their higher studies in the UK, according to Marc Jessel, Director of the British Council in the UAE. “Over the years, EDUKEX has made UK educational excellence accessible to a wider section of students in the UAE. The popular exhibition is an annual event which targets students from high schools and universities, aspiring to pursue higher education in world renowned UK universities,” added Jessel.

Continue reading “British Council UAE announces dates of Education UK Exhibition (EDUKEX 2015) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai”



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Ministry of Education Email Service Initiative to Benefit 129,000 Students

Abdul Rahman Al Hammadi: ‘We aim to enhance communication channels between students and teachers and provide easy access to information’
UAE, June 11, 2015 – The Ministry of Education (MoE) has introduced an email service catering to 129,000 students throughout its schools. This unprecedented move allows students to utilize technology for a safer means of communication.

The dynamic interactive platform also enhances the students’ relationship with the academic faculty. Although the students are still currently in the process of registering to the service, on its first day the ministry has already activated more than 10,000 student emails.                      

Abdul Rahman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary of Support Services, said that the ministry remains steadfast in its commitment to help students efficiently integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into their educational process in order to ensure easy access to information and strengthen communication between student and teachers.
Al Hammadi emphasized that the new email service is part of an electronic network the ministry has established to support the communication of key leaders, senior officials, workers and other affiliates in the educational sector. He also said this is part of a series of diverse smart services the ministry will be providing to parents, all of which feature high levels of data security made possible via advanced programs and applications.
The Undersecretary added that the email network abides by safety standards that ensure the security of all student accounts, each of which has a capacity of up to 50 GB. He also pointed out that the ministry accredited the accounts with access to all electronic systems of learners through a Single Sign On (SSO) system. At the same time, the ministry has provided Microsoft Office Pro Plus to all students free of charge. Al Hammadi explained that the efficient use of Office Pro Plus is the third most important skill acquired by students worldwide, according to an International Data Corporation (IDC) report.


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Champions of Tomorrow 2015, Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Education Council concludes ‘Champions of Tomorrow 2015’ with the participation of 84,244 students
  
·       Initiative held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan
·       18 schools honored with ‘Shield of Excellence 2015,’ while six were declared Sports Day 2015 winners
·       180 students and 72 teachers from 18 schools & 24 principals received ‘Excellence Shield 2015’ award
·       24 physical education teachers from six schools recognized for nurturing students’ athletic skills as part of preparation for Sports Day 2015
Abu Dhabi, May 18, 2015 – The Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) concluded the ‘Champions of Tomorrow 2015’ initiative today, (May 18th 2015), which involved a series of sports competitions for top student athletes across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region.
A special awarding ceremony was held at the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi to honor the winners as well as the participating schools and teachers. The much-praised competitions displayed the skills and strong performance of 84,244 students from across the UAE.
Her Excellency Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Director General at ADEC, said: “We thank all those who contributed to ensure the success of this year’s campaign, from ADEC members to students, parents, faculty members and all administrative staff of participating schools. We also extend our appreciation to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council whose support greatly helped us achieve the goals of the initiative. The ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ represents the visions of H.H. Sheikh Khalifa and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the Chairman of ADEC, in terms of human capacity development to build a generation capable of securing Abu Dhabi’s global leadership and making the capital city an influential force in the world stage.”
“The positive results of ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ boost our aspirations to discover new young talents who will join our national teams in raising the Emirates flag in international sporting events. The campaign successfully reached more than 50 per cent of public school students in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. We are planning to include private schools in our future editions as we continue our efforts to discover more promising athletes, teach them the Olympic principles, and prepare them for international competitions. These form part of ADEC’s vision of developing the education system to produce a generation that can compete globally,” said Dr. Al Qubaisi.
H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General, Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said: “The ADEC-organized ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ initiative was held in strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Sports Council. Staging the competitions reflects our support for the Abu Dhabi Government’s efforts to implement programs that encourage physical activities, contribute to the development of sports programs within academic institutions and support the sports sector through training of the country’s future professional athletes.”    
“The Abu Dhabi Sports Council is keen on developing scientific programs to discover new recruits and prepare and revitalize the entire sports industry by coordinating with concerned education entities. Additionally, we support programs and sports competitions that serve the aspirations of all segments of society such as the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ initiative, which plays an important role in developing sports at the school level in Abu Dhabi. ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ also prepares and trains the young generation in accordance with our sports agenda,” Mr. Al Awani added. 
A total of 24 schools were honored during the ceremony, 18 of which won the ‘Shield of Excellence 2015’ while six were recognized for winning at Sports Day 2015.  Other recipients of the ‘Shield of Excellence 2015’ award included 180 students, 72 teachers from 18 academic institutions, and school principals. In addition, 24 physical education teachers from six schools were honored for their untiring efforts in nurturing the athletic skills of young students to help them deliver an excellent performance during Sports Day 2015. This year’s Sports Day featured a host of events aimed at building a new generation that possesses leadership and social skills and is actively involved in sports and other physical activities. 

The ‘Shield of Excellence 2015’ awardees included the Al Tamouh School; Al Shahama School; Khalid Bin Al Walid School; Al Nokhba School; Al Houtayn School; Khalifa Bin Zayed School; Bayaat Al Radwan School; Salama Bint Butti School; Almregib School; Hamouda Bin Ali School; Al Saqour School; Al Jahili School; Al Tafawok School; Al Ain School; Al Mottahid School; and Al Ghaith School.
‘Champions of Tomorrow 2015’ promoted sports awareness among students, activated the role of schools in nurturing the skills of young athletes, and provided an ideal platform to achieve excellence at local, regional and international levels. Among its most notable activities were Sports Day, which attracted 140,000 participants from across the UAE; the Abu Dhabi Education Council Marathon, which witnessed the participation of 3,000 students at Yas Marina Circuit; and the Beach Festival 2015, which brought together 140 high school students. The campaign’s sports competitions were held in three categories, namely the ‘Mandatory Games’ (football, athletics), the ‘Individual Games’ (swimming, gymnastics, fencing, judo), and the ‘Complementary Games (handball, basketball and volleyball). 


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Abu Dhabi School of Management – Training Program for Government

Abu Dhabi School of Management to conduct Balanced Scorecard Institute Certification Training
Programme tailored for government entities for the first time
UAE, May 10, 2015 –The Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), an educational institution dedicated to developing the UAE’s future entrepreneurial leaders, has announced that it will be conducting Balance Scorecard for Government Professional Certification BootCamp in collaboration with the Balanced Scorecard Institute (BSI). This marks the first time that the BSI certification is being tailored for government entities.
The first government version of the five-day Balanced Scorecard Certified Practitioner BootCamp will run from June 7 to 11, 2015 at the ADSM campus and will be delivered by the BSI Co-Founder and CEO Howard Rohm. Howard Rohm is a former U.S. government executive and the original developer of the Institute’s balanced scorecard framework, used worldwide by governments, industry and nonprofit organizations.
BSI will provide the training and certification materials for the course, which is based on the Institute’s proprietary framework for developing balanced scorecard systems, called the Nine Steps to SuccessTM. Those who complete the course and pass the certification examination will be certified jointly by BSI and the George Washington University College of Professional Studies at the level of Certified Balanced Scorecard Practitioner.
Sophia Korayim, Director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Abu Dhabi School of Management, said: “The Balance Scorecard is an empowering tool that enables organizations to determine if they are getting the results they expect and need from their team. The courses we will co-deliver with BSI will enable the leadership of local government entities to ensure that deliverables are met according to international standards and in line with the strategies of their respective organizations.  This is the first time that a Balanced Scorecard certification training of this level is being offered for government entities so we expect the programme to have a considerable impact on the quality of governance across the emirate.”
The Balanced Scorecard is a strategy performance management tool that everyone in the organization can use to align strategy to mission and vision, align employees and the work they do to the strategy, and focus on improved program and service efficiency, effectiveness and delivery to citizens. Managers use to monitor how staff under their supervision perform their duties and the outcomes of their actions. It is used by businesses, governments and nonprofit organizations to align business activities to the vision and strategy of the organization, enhance internal and external communications, and benchmark organizational performance against strategic goals.
BSI is the original certifying body for balanced scorecard practitioners. Its award-winning framework, Nine Steps to SuccessTM, is a disciplined and practical approach to developing a strategic planning and management system based on the Balanced Scorecard. The Institute’s Certified Balanced Scorecard Practitioner programme is recognized worldwide, with around 2,000 practitioners from over 70 countries granted this level of proficiency so far since the program was launched in 2007.
“Around the world, our certification training continues to make a difference in the ability of organizations to improve their performance, align the work of their people with their strategies and vision, and gain valuable operational insights through well-designed metrics. By combining our 18 years of experience with government and other mission-driven organizations we have been able to customize a program unique to the culture and goals of government. Through our partnership with ADSM we aim to help Abu Dhabi’s government entities and employees achieve these results and incorporate the Balanced Scorecard as an essential part of their management,” added Howard Rohm.


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New York Times Best-Selling Author, Renowned Speaker and Thought Leader to Empower the Region’s Youth to be Leaders in the 21st Century

Global education practice leader Sean Covey’s first ever Middle East tour to focus on ‘The Leader in Me’ program: creating leaders, one child at a time

UAE, March 18th, 2015 – FranklinCovey Middle East, a global company that specializes in performance improvement of organizations, has announced the first ever visit of world renowned author and motivational speaker Sean Covey to the Middle East. During his pioneering tour, Sean will discuss how The leader In Me whole-school transformation model – developed in partnership with educators – empowers students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st Century. The Leader In Me, builds on the work of Dr Stephen R Covey’s The 7Habits of Highly Effective People and redefines what school greatness means by focusing on culture, leadership and academics.

Sean Covey, who is also the Executive Vice President Global Solutions and Partnerships and Education Practice Leader of  FranklinCovey, will be visiting Riyadh on March 22nd & 23rd, 2015, Abu Dhabi on March 24th and Dubai on March 25th, 2015.
Today’s changing world has a whole new set of rules, to which our youth will need to adapt. Key skills businesses and educators identified as vital to the futures of today’s students are developed within The Leader in Me process. These skills include: Leadership, Accountability, Adaptability, Initiative and Self-Direction, Cross-Cultural skills, Responsibility, Problem Solving, Communication Skills, Creativity and Teamwork.
‘The Leader in Me’ is a school-wide process that develops staff and students as leaders and thereby transforms the culture and performance of the school. While raising pedagogical standards, The Leader in Me draws on the world-class content of FranklinCovey, including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which staff, students and parents adopt as a common language. The Leader in Me schools seamlessly integrate leadership development into their daily curriculum, activities and systems; it becomes the school’s operating system. A school culture is created where every student is encouraged to set and achieve meaningful goals, to be a positive influence on others and to use his or her individual gifts to better the world. ‘The Leader in Me’ process strives ‘to build leaders, one child at a time.’
Sean said, “The Middle East represents a diverse geographic spread and a fantastic opportunity to build on the engagement of students, staff and parents. The education sector in the Middle East is highly viable thanks to a population heavily skewed towards youth. The Leader in Me is producing transformational results in over 2,000 schools worldwide and we are excited to bring the process to the Middle East.
Our vision is that one day our entire community will be impacted with citizens who are lifelong leaders and learners.”
In Riyadh, Sean is set to meet with officials from Saudi Arabia’s Educational sector and large corporate organizations. In the UAE he will meet the principals, teachers and parents from various schools under the Abu Dhabi Education Council in the country’s capital and with deans and senior executives of colleges and universities to be hosted at the American University in Dubai (AUD) to highlight the ‘7 Habits for College Students,’ which will empower them with the tools for achieving success in the future.
Sean graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a degree in English and later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and is known for writing motivational books for children and teens like Fourth Down and Life to Go: How to Turn Life’s Setbacks into Triumphs as his 1st motivational work published in 1990, The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make: A Guide for Teens, The 7 Habits of Happy Kids, ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens’ which became a New York Times Best Seller.
Sean lives by the common saying, “You’re only young once, but you can be immature forever”, He acknowledges that we only get one chance to prepare our students for a future none of us can predict. But the question is what are we going to do with that one chance?


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The Abu Dhabi Education Marathon Kicks Off at Yas Marina Circuit with 3,000 Students Participating

Abu Dhabi, February 28, 2015 – In the presence of H.E. Dr. Amal Al Qubaisi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) and Mr. Aref Al Awani Abu Dhabi Sport Council General Secretary, over 3,000 students from Cycle 1 and Cycle 3 schools took part in the Abu Dhabi Education Marathon, as part of ADEC’s Champions of Tomorrow campaign.
The marathon, which was hosted at the Yas Marina Circuit, aims to instill a culture of sports among students and develop a pool of top athletes capable of representing and honoring the UAE in regional and international athletic tournaments.

Her Excellency said: “The marathon is an important event that will help drive the success of the ‘Champions of Tomorrow’ campaign since it represents ADEC’s commitment to providing national teams with talented athletes who will help raise the UAE flag in regional and international sport forums. The wide turnout of the marathon reflects the confidence schools have in the education reform, which continues to add quality initiatives that help support development and competitiveness.”
Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, ADEC’s School Operations Executive Director, added: “The Abu Dhabi Education Marathon is an important addition to our tireless efforts to foster a favorable environment for sports in schools which can help identify and encourage promising talents that can support our national Olympic teams. The broad participation of students and parents along with the educational and social community reflects the effectiveness of this initiative in creating a positive impact in the development of sports across schools in accordance with the highest standards of excellence and professionalism.”
“We are proud of what has been achieved by students who participated in the Abu Dhabi Education Marathon. In line with the vision and directives of our leadership, we are committed to provide the necessary support for the outstanding talents and pave their way to attain the highest quality achievements in the local and the international sporting arenas in the future,” concluded Mr. Al Dhaheri.
The marathon featured a highly competitive field of students aged eight to ten years old for the 1 km run. The second race spanned a distance of 3 km, while students enthusiastically completed the third segment’s 5-km length.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit said: “We are delighted to welcome so many budding young athletes to the circuit today.  We work very closely with the local community encouraging all to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle and it is particularly important to see the next generation taking part in sports with such enthusiasm.  Our partnership with ADEC to host this inaugural ADEC Schools Marathon is a great honor for us and we are pleased to be supporting the UAE Government¹s initiative to build a generation of talented athletes.”
Salem Al Odd and Hamda Khaled won first place in the 1K race, while Hazaah Souud and Taif Al Jesmi topped the marathon’s 3K race and Khalif Al Nasri headed the 5K run.
The marathon was not limited to students of Abu Dhabi schools only, but also included an ‘Open Race’ comprising parents, administrative faculty, staff members, and employees from ADEC along with the local community. Moreover, there were other activities conducted within the marathon, including a free art stand, heritage village, challenging games,  walking  the circuit, and Jiu-Jitsu.
ADEC continues to launch quality initiatives under the umbrella of the Champions of Tomorrow campaign, which aims to promote awareness about the importance of sports among schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. It also seeks to encourage schools to be more responsible in nurturing sports talents and in establishing it internationally.
The campaign includes a series of sports competitions which will be held in four categories, namely, Mandatory Games (football and athletics), Individual Games (swimming, gymnastics, fencing and judo), Complementary Games (handball, basketball and volleyball), and Competitions and Special events such as racing, cycling, and a beach festival.
-ends-
About Abu Dhabi Education Council:
Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) was established in accordance with law No. 24 of 2005, issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE President, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The Chairman of ADEC is H.H. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and the Vice-Chairman is H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Minister of Presidential Affairs. The Council seeks to develop education and educational institutions in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, implement innovative educational policies, plans and programs that aim to improve education, and support educational institutions and staff to achieve the objectives of national development in accordance with the highest international standards.
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For more information about ADEC please call its headquarters at +971 (2) 6150 000 or visit our website:
About Yas Marina Circuit:
Yas Marina Circuit is the United Arab Emirates’ most exciting sporting and entertainment multi-purpose venue.  Located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the circuit is home to the annual FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX and much more.  In addition to the extensive year-round program of professional and grassroots motorsport events and experiences including Dragand Yas Track Nights, the circuit has emerged as a thriving hub for entertainment and community events in the UAE. As the region’s most technologically advanced facility, the circuit is also a leading MICEvenue, regularly hosting a diverse range of corporate meetings, conferences and events.  Whether you want to experience the thrill of karting at our Kartzone, driving an Aston Martin GT4 at over 200km/hour on an F1 circuit, work towards your racing license at the Yas Racing School, get fit at TrainYasor GoYas, participate in one of our many sporting events, or simply catch up with friends at Yas Central, Yas Marina Circuit truly is The Meeting Place of Champions.