Dubai: Calling on the world to create a new chapter in the history of global education transformation, Dubai Cares is welcoming visitors from around the world to explore, experience and embrace the message ‘The Future is Human’ at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Part of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, Dubai Cares has a two-level pavilion located within the Opportunity District. It takes visitors on an immersive journey through its various zones. In addition to highlighting Dubai and the UAE’s journey before, during and after education, each activity within these zones delivers a message about the importance of various stages of learning for children and culminates with an exciting glimpse into the future of education, skills and work for youth and adults.
Last month, the pavilion welcomed nearly 16,000 visitors from around the world, it was announced on today.
‘A magnificent showcase’
Dr Tariq Al Gurg, Commissioner General for the Dubai Cares Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai and CEO of Dubai Cares, said: “The Dubai Cares Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai has exceeded all expectations and is proving to be a magnificent showcase of what makes the UAE one of the most generous nations in the world. Following a couple of years of preparation and close cooperation with Expo 2020 Dubai, as well as the amazing support we have received from our sponsors and partners, we are now excited to welcome the world to discover this story and take them on an enriching journey into the future of education, skilling and work.”
Dr Al Gurg said every activity at the pavilion has been carefully designed to appeal to visitors of all ages in a fun-filled manner while also giving them a sneak peek into what lies ahead of us in the future. “From students to parents and professionals, to world leaders, every visitor in our pavilion will discover the power of education in shaping our future as they engage in a series of enlightening experiences developed in partnership with industry-leading education experts from around the world. Through it all, they will come to realise that while disruption is here to stay and transform our lives, the future is human and will always be,” added.
UAE’s commitment to promoting education
The ground-level experience will leave visitors of all ages engaged in fun-based learning. Right from their arrival itself, guests will be treated to an enriching experience in ‘The Awakening’ zone as they go on the UAE’s deeply inspiring journey into education.
They will develop a deeper sense of admiration for the huge emphasis the country’s Founding Father, late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, placed on education as a building block for the nation’s sustainable growth and development over the course of history.
Achievements Zone
At the ‘Dubai Cares Achievements’ zone, visitors have the opportunity to learn more about the impact of the Dubai Cares movement and how it represents the people of the UAE who are known for their cultural, intellectual and social diversity, their shared values of respect, care and compassion and their collective commitment to transforming education globally.
Letting children be themselves
From an inspirational showcase of the past, visitors are invited to learn about the importance of fun-based learning as they engage in a series of interactive activities inside ‘The Right Start’ zone.
With the aim of turning misconceptions into learning advantages, children are encouraged to express and communicate freely. They can look forward to exploring their voice, feelings and confidence by screaming at the top of their voices, stomping on the ground to participate in a race with friends, as well as use their imagination to create their own comic and story
A sneak peek into the future
A highly visual transformation tunnel takes visitors down a path from the current education norms to a glimpse into the future before they step inside the ‘The Future of Education’ zone. Here, they have the opportunity to enjoy an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience created by H-FARM, the biggest European innovation platform located in Italy that provides innovative education for children, youth and adults.
Removing the boundaries of current-day classrooms and traditional learning style, this zone gives visitors a glimpse into the future of remote learning through a multi-channel technological platform, as they take lessons in space, human anatomy and art. Students can look forward to interacting with their classmates, grabbing virtual objects, and completing exercises and tests in this one-of-a-kind learning experience powered by VR technology and embedded in mixed reality.
‘Skills of the Future’
Finally, the ‘Skills of the Future’ zone features six futuristic space pods that have an intelligent simulator system powered by GLEAC, a human skills development platform that helps people learn and apply human skills through simulated real world situations.
Visitors can explore what lies ahead for our next generation and how we can best prepare the youth for the jobs of the future. Students can look forward to exploring their strengths and discovering the human skills they will need to succeed and thrive in the future as they participate in a short survey that allows them to learn about themselves and find out what jobs they will be best suited for.
Visitors are also invited to join the Dubai Cares movement and learn about the various ways in which they can support the organisation’s mission — from volunteering and donating to suggesting ideas that can help make a difference in the lives of children and youth globally.
Workshops with a gift
On the first floor, students can look forward to being part of various interactive workshops. Last month, a total of 2,445 students took a tour of the pavilion, while 1,160 students aged six to 12 years participated in 55 story-based workshops designed by Kide Science and organised in collaboration with Finnish education experts at both Kide Science and Upiopi.
The ongoing story-based workshop offers students from six to 12 years the opportunity to play an active role as learners and UAE engineers to help a fictional character Fatima, whose education has been interrupted due to an earthquake, in designing and building a new school.
In addition, there is a Podcast Room, a talk space (theatre-style) for RewirEd Talks that can be booked by partners and organisations to host their own events and conferences within the Dubai Cares Pavilion at no cost.
