GEMS Xhibit gathered together students, teachers and industry leaders to discuss how to best prepare students for the future
On 28 October, GEMS Education officially marked the launch of its five Centres of Excellence. These Centres, covered extensively in our last issue, are designed to promote technological and digital learning and create unique student pathways and experiential learning around emerging industries. The launch was part of GEMS Xhibit, an annual innovation-focused event that gathers students, teachers and industry to explore the evolution of the K-12 learning experience and how to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
Held at GEMS Wellington Academy – Al Khail, the event took place in the presence of Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau, who delivered a keynote address. Over 100 business leaders also attended.
A first-of-its-kind initiative, the five Centres of Excellence include: Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at GEMS Dubai American Academy; Digital Industries and Sustainability at GEMS FirstPoint School – The Villa; Aviation and Space at GEMS International School – Al Khail; Performance and Theatre Technologies at GEMS Wellington Academy – Silicon Oasis; and Entrepreneurship and Youth Start-up at GEMS World Academy – Dubai.
Memorandums of Understanding in the fields of curriculum leadership and development support for AI, robotics, entrepreneurship, sustainability and e-commerce were signed between GEMS Education and its partners including Noon, Siemens, RIT Dubai, Al Tamimi & Co and American University in Dubai.
Student applications
GEMS Xhibit serves as an opportunity to highlight the tech-innovation skills of students in front of industry experts, underpinning the value that innovation brings to education and how it contributes to shaping the future of young people.
Seventeen school teams showcased their Global Innovation Challenge solutions and products. These projects included ‘SHERO’ and ‘Smart Bandages’, both of which were selected to showcase at the Singularity University Global Summit in California this year.
“This is what future-focused education should be about – bringing together the latest thinking with technology applications and AI through a range of real-life challenges and partnerships with leading businesses and universities,” said Michael Gernon, GEMS Education’s Chief Education Innovation Officer. “It will add unique and incredible value into the K-12 sector in a way that has not been possible before.”
Michael went on to underline the increasingly important role that innovation, research and development is playing across the GEMS network, and he confirmed that the new Centres of Excellence will lead the way. “We are aiming to blur the traditional boundaries of school, university and employment, and create a new learning ecology for GEMS students – one which will see them earn a range of credentials and qualifications from our partners from age 14 and, through these unique experiences, be better prepared for the future,” he said.
Commenting on the MoU signed during the event, Dr David A Schmidt, President of American University in Dubai, said: “AUD is pleased, proud and honoured to strengthen our long-running collaborative partnership with GEMS Education. This partnership is emblematic of both institutions’ commitment to education in the UAE and the immense benefits of collaboration.”