Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) announced today (Saturday) the launch of the second annual Journey of Discovery campaign across all schools with a focus on innovation.

The aim of the campaign is to encourage students to get involved in fields such as nuclear energy, robotics and technology.

“Adec believes that innovation is the main driver towards engaging students in an environment that will create experimenters and scientists. We are striving towards knowledge,” said Dr Amal Al Qubaisi, director-general of Adec, at the launch of the event. “Innovation is the root of the future. Our message to them [students] is that journey to innovation is a journey towards a fruitful future in Abu Dhabi.”

Around 128,000 public school students across 256 public schools and 230,000 private school students across 183 private schools will begin their new academic year tomorrow (Sunday) in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

As part of the campaign, 255 innovation clubs will be established across the emirate to support students in the fields of science, Technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through state-of-the-art laboratories.

Dr Amal stressed the importance of innovation in today’s education system and society. “Placing innovation in the hearts and minds of our students comes as part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi’s plan to fill in STEM-related positions that are required in the future as part of Abu Dhabi education’s strategy to create a competent workforce of students,” she added.

“In 50 years oil will be gone and education will be our only weapon towards the future, which is exactly why we are focusing on innovation and creativity.”

Dr Amal expressed the importance of parents’ role in this campaign, and the education they need to provide their children to ensure a successful outcome. “No matter how much we have tried and worked hard it will not be complete without the participation of a parent who guides their children, structures their personality, and encourages their aspirations and passions.”

A #weya_ayalna (with our children) campaign has been created to encourage parents to participate in the education of their children.