Edutainment all the way with Back-2-School Surprises

Back-2-School Surprises, the tenth and last weekly promotion under the 70-day Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS), will set the tone for education and entertainment for thousands of children who have had a good summer vacation in Dubai.

Being organised by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) from August 22 to 30, the activities of the Back-2-School Surprises week will held be in nine malls.

About 26 daily activities will feature the theme focusing on education and entertainment.

"The Back-2-School Surprises theme week will bring to conclusion the summer of pleasant surprises that Dubai residents and visitors have lived for ten weeks. The theme week will constitute an array of activities highlighting learning, fun and entertainment," said Ali Ibrahim, director of commercial registration department, DED.

"DSS has played a very important role in transforming a dull and lean summer into an active and positive summer. DED will continue to contribute to this role by organising activities that will emphasise on appealing learning-oriented entertainment.

"Ninety per cent of the people who are working to create these activities are locals and this reflects the faith and trust DED puts in the local youth," said Ibrahim.

"Our team has been working on this event for a long time now, making sure the events are presented in the best possible manner," he added.

The themed week will open with a colourful ceremony featuring an operetta specially prepared for the occasion. The ceremony will be based on the theme "Dubai's Dreams", which will contrast with Dubai's past and its future.

Yusuf Ozair Mubarak, head of Back-2-School Surprises committee, said: "We have prepared the activities in keeping with the general ethos of the event. However, the execution of the event is completely different to give it a completely new feel as compared with last year.

"The activities of the theme week started much earlier when a group of ten schoolchildren went to Abu Dhabi to present an award to Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Wife of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and Chairperson of the UAE General Women's Union, on Accession Day."

The events include 26 separate events every day, organised at BurJuman Centre, Oasis Centre, Deira City Centre, Mazaya Centre, Al Bustan Centre, Hamarain Centre, Wafi City and Al Ghurair City.

They are carefully designed to entertain children as well as widen their horizons of knowledge in different fields. There will be events for children of different age groups.

Activities will include the Arabic play, Princess Verda and Lazy Aboud, performed every day at Modhesh Fun City.

Costume parties for children, muppet shows and several workshops will be organised at the malls. Children can learn about various cultures through the workshops known as Educational Villages.

Educational trips will be organised to the various landmarks of the UAE. There will be a Moon Drops exhibition and Meet and Greet Cartoon Characters, as well as the scouts and Dubai College students exhibitions.

Pictionary contests and 'Test your knowledge about Scientists' will impart knowledge to children in a fun manner.

The Future Village will teach children how to use computers. The Little Electronic Engineer, Knowledge Kingdom, Summer Reading Competitions, Giant Puzzles, Information Wheel, Giant Pen Competitions, Basket Competitions and Planetary System competitions will all explore children's competitive spirit in a fun way.