World Challenge provides educational expeditions in the developing world, which teach life skills and expands student minds outside of the classroom. Both GEMS Education and World Challenge are excited about the opportunities this partnership will present to GEMS students.

Martin Clark, Senior Director – GEMS Education Ventures said, “GEMS schools embrace a philosophy of preparing students for the world and the challenges of the future. The GEMS Education approach to learning focuses not only on academic excellence but also in enabling students to develop character and creativity so that they achieve their full potential as human beings. This education venture with World Challenge gives our students the opportunities to take part in hands-on activities that challenge them to seek solutions, make informed decisions, demonstrate tenacity, and to express themselves confidently.”

Claire Ellaway, Regional Director, World Challenge explains, “With 22 years of experience, World Challenge offers an unrivalled range of expeditions geared to the education of young people. We provide a level of safety and service second to none. We are proud of this partnership with GEMS Education and are looking forward to seeing the development and success of all future GEMS students who take part in these exciting award opportunities. ”

Adventure Quest

In order to celebrate the beginning of the partnership, over 170 GEMS students from Cambridge International School and Al Khaleej National School are participating in an Adventure Quest. The quest has students taking part in team building activities which emphasize team work, allows them to enhance leadership skills, problem solving skills, communication skills and develop self-confidence in challenging situations.

The Adventure Quest activity is a part of the GEMS Leadership Challenge Awards created especially for GEMS students. Once completed, the quest allows students to receive the GEMS Ruby award, which is the first tier in this progressive award programme. GEMS students will work their way from the GEMS Ruby Award to the GEMS Emerald Award and finally to the GEMS Diamond award, which is recognized by Universities.

The Leadership Challenge Award is linked directly to the GEMS core values of World Citizenship, Universal Values, Leadership and Forward Thinking. In order to ensure all GEMS students have access to these life changing opportunities the programme has been designed with a variety of options.
The GEMS Leadership Challenge Award consists of –

GEMS Ruby Award
A student can earn the GEMS’ Ruby Certificate by completing three ½ day ‘Adventure Quest’ sessions, based at two sites in Dubai. The activities include; ‘Giants Ladder’, ‘Leap of Trust’, climbing wall and ground based practical leadership and team tasks to encourage the development of team work, leadership and communication skills as well as caring for others and problem solving.

GEMS Emerald Award
The GEMS’ Emerald Award is achieved after completing a one or two week expedition to Asia, Africa or Europe. Students will explore new cultures and environments, learn how to communicate more effectively and bond as a team, take manageable risks, overcome fears and make their own decisions – all essential lesson for the future. Students can also gain a Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) Level 3 (equivalent to a GCSE grade B) if a portfolio of evidence is provided.

GEMS Diamond Award
The Diamond Award can be gained by completing an expedition similar to the Emerald Award but for three or four weeks. This Award has a more in-depth community/service element which fits in well with International DofE Award and for the CAS element of the IB diploma. An ASDAN Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) Level 2 (equivalent to 70 UCAS points) can also be gained if students provide a portfolio of evidence. Students automatically gain the ASDAN University Award.

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The graduation ceremony – held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, and Chancellor of The British University in Dubai – witnessed 53 students receiving their postgraduate awards, nearly one-third of whom are UAE nationals.

BUiD provides its students, which include young professionals, leading academic, corporate managers and aspiring leaders of all description, with the region’s first research-based postgraduate university experience, allowing the students to develop in-depth research and developmental skills that can be applied for their current and future career progression.

“Now more than ever, applicants holding postgraduate awards in higher education have better job experiences, opportunities and prospects,” said Dr Abdullah Alshamsi, Vice-Chancellor, The British University in Dubai.

“With the UAE and the rest of the Middle East developing at a fast pace, graduate study in project management is an ideal programme choice for students looking to develop their careers in the region. At the same time, our suite of programmes addresses the full range of key management and leadership disciplines for a knowledge-based economy and society. I am confident that our graduates are bright leaders and we hope our degrees will encourage more UAE-based students to accelerate their career pathway by providing rigorous and advanced postgraduate studies,” added Alshamsi.

This year, more than 50 percent of the graduating students – and 80 percent of the Emirati graduates – completed their Master of Science in Project Management, a field that has seen a surge in the number of applicants in recent years.

In addition, for the first time BUiD witnessed graduates receiving Master of Science in Finance and Banking this year – another discipline attracting a growing number of students.

BUiD also graduated the first batch of students who completed their Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) as part of the ‘Teach in Dubai’ programme – a joint initiative between BUiD and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to encourage Emirati nationals (male and female) and Arab expatriates who live in the UAE to make a place for themselves in the education sector.

From the 2009 graduating class, 12 students – double the 2008 number – have passed their programmes with Distinction, the highest available award for Masters Degree students. For the Master of Science, Aamena Alshamsi and Suad Salem Al-shamsi– both UAE national – were awarded Distinction in Information Technology and Muna Abdelhakim Al Seeni in Project Management.

BUiD also awarded five outstanding students who completed their Master of Education with the highest Distinction of merit.

Companies that have sponsored employees to undertake research-based, post-graduate education and who are graduating this year include Arabtec, Dubai Police,TECOM, and Lloyds TSB.  In addition, scholarships were provided by Atkins, Emirates Foundation, KHDA, Ministry of Presidential Affairs, and BUiD Council.

“BUiD’s ongoing success is largely due to the commitment and support from our friends and founders, who include the Al Maktoum Foundation, the British Business Group, the Dubai Development and Investment Authority, the National Bank of Dubai, and Rolls-Royce and of course the university’s council members ” concluded Alshamsi.