Abu Dhabi: A list of 600 top-performing Emirati students in their Grades 10 and 11 are due to complete a one month overseas summer programme which offers English language, Mathematics, and Science courses, as well as leadership and team work skills.
The Overseas Summer Programme, sponsored by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and organised by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) for the sixth consecutive year, requires that the student selected score an average not less than 80 per cent.
Students conduct and behavior, as well as participation in regular school activities are also factors considered when selecting students from across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Western Region) for the yearly programme.
The chosen team of public school students are due to travel to the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland between June 30th and July 3rd and return back to the Emirate by July 30th.
The programme, according to a statement sent by Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Adec Director General, started off six years ago with only 60 students, accompanied by six supervisors.
"Due to the success of this experience and the high competition spirit unleashed among the students to join the programme, this opportunity was extended to include a larger number of participants to (600 students) who will be accompanied by 60 supervisors. This programme proved successful over the past five years according to feedback from participants who showed excellent response to all its events and activities, in addition to the supervisors' reports and the reactions of the hosting educational establishments and families."
"A great impression was formed about Emirati students, their way of thinking and learning, in addition to the good representation of their country's civilization reflecting their endowment to national identity, customs and tradition and a great ability to deal with other cultures," said Dr. Al Khaili.
Male students are due to stay with carefully selected host families in efforts to get them immersed into the local community, thus improving their communication and English language skills, while females will reside in a university campus at the chosen city.
Ahmad Sultan Al Shamsi, Director of Public Services Division in Adec explained that supervisors accompanying the students, will be monitoring the performance of each of the students, as well as take part in professional development programmes and training courses in various fields.
