Students at Dubai College welcomed His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, this week as the school hosted a special showcase highlighting the impact of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award on young people across the UAE.
Held on 2 February, the event brought together students, educators and invited guests, including Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, to demonstrate how the Award develops practical life skills alongside academic achievement.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award builds skills that go far beyond the classroom.
The visit formed part of a wider series of activities across the UAE celebrating the Award’s contribution to youth development and leadership.
Students Showcase Expedition Skills in Action
The showcase centred on the Award’s Adventurous Journey component, where participants plan, train for and complete expeditions that test resilience, teamwork and practical problem solving.
Visitors moved through interactive stations where students demonstrated essential expedition skills including navigation, first aid, campcraft, cooking and equipment preparation. The experience offered a hands on look at how students prepare for Bronze, Silver and Gold Award journeys.
Training, planning and overcoming challenges together builds confidence and teamwork.
A student led roundtable discussion followed, where participants explained how managing Award commitments alongside academic study strengthens organisation, leadership and collaboration skills.
Students also described how volunteering, physical recreation and personal skill development form part of the wider Award framework, helping young people build independence, confidence and a sense of responsibility.
A Long-Standing Commitment at Dubai College
Open to young people aged 14 to 24, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award operates in more than 100 countries through schools, youth organisations and community groups.
The Award helps students grow into thoughtful leaders and active citizens.
Dubai College has supported the programme for more than four decades, with over 3,500 students completing different Award levels through the school. Past Adventurous Journeys have taken students across diverse environments, from the mountains and deserts of the UAE to international expeditions in Mauritius, Southeast Asia and Nepal.
Headmaster Tomas Duckling says the programme plays a vital role in shaping young people beyond academic results.
“These experiences help shape globally aware young people who are ready to contribute meaningfully as thoughtful leaders and active citizens, reflecting both UK educational values and the UAE’s vision for sustainable development and social cohesion.”
Students Reflect on Leadership and Responsibility
Year 13 student Dana, currently working towards her Gold Award, spoke about the importance of shared responsibility throughout the programme.
“Training together builds trust, teamwork and responsibility. Whether it is first aid, campcraft or planning a service project, we learn to step up for each other, and that is what makes the Award so powerful.”
The Royal visit also highlighted the role of non formal education in developing leadership and life skills, with partners including the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, the British Embassy Dubai and KHDA supporting events throughout the week.
Experiences outside the classroom often shape the skills young people carry into life.
The event reinforced how programmes such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award continue to help students across the UAE develop resilience, leadership and a strong sense of community responsibility, preparing them for challenges well beyond school life.
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