Honoring Education: New Categories Announced for 2024 Awards
Abu Dhabi’s ADEK Awards: Celebrating Educational Excellence in the UAE
Abu Dhabi – In a significant stride towards enhancing educational quality and innovation in the United Arab Emirates, the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has proudly unveiled the second edition of the ADEK Awards. Acknowledged as a prestigious platform that highlights exemplary practices, these awards aim to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions made by educators and institutions in the UAE capital.
Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the ADEK Awards have expanded impressively, now encompassing 16 distinct categories—six of which are new additions crafted to adapt to the evolving landscape of education. With a total prize fund amounting to AED 7 million (approximately .91 million), this initiative reaffirms ADEK’s commitment to supporting schools and institutions in their pursuit of excellence.
All public, private, and charter schools in Abu Dhabi are invited to participate, with particularly noteworthy inclusions for early education institutions (EEIs) seeking recognition in select award categories. This broadening of eligibility underscores ADEK’s dedication to fostering quality education from early childhood through to higher learning, ensuring that every segment of the educational spectrum is adequately represented.
The introduction of new award categories is particularly telling of ADEK’s mission to promote collaboration and innovation. Among these is the ‘Best Parental Engagement Award’, which seeks to honor schools that actively involve parents in the educational process—an essential element for fostering student success. Alongside it is the ‘Director of the Year Award’, recognizing the leadership that drives educational excellence, and the ‘Outstanding Educator Award’ specifically tailored for early education institutions, which highlights the crucial role that foundational educators play in shaping young minds.
Sara Musallam, the Chairman of ADEK, expressed her enthusiasm for the awards, stating, “Building on the success of the inaugural ADEK Awards, we are excited to expand this year’s program to honor the incredible contributions of educators, schools, and learning programs. These awards recognize the passion and dedication shaping our students into lifelong learners and global citizens, ensuring they are equipped to contribute to Abu Dhabi’s future.” Her sentiments reflect a broader goal of nurturing a generation of learners who are not only academically proficient but are also empowered to engage meaningfully with their communities.
Among the noteworthy additions is the ‘Best AI Program Award’, designed to celebrate schools pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence into their curricula and administrative frameworks. This award is particularly relevant in an era where digital literacy and technological competency are vital for future success. Furthermore, the program also includes the ‘Best ADEK Engagement Award’, acknowledging schools that exemplify strong collaboration with ADEK, and the ‘Best Anti-Bullying Program Award’, reinforcing the importance of creating safe, inclusive environments for all students.
Retaining key categories from the prior year, the ADEK Awards also include recognized segments such as:
– Best Inclusion Practice
– Best Professional Development Program
– Best Student Wellbeing Program
– Best Reading Program
– Best Arabic Program
– Principal of the Year
– Outstanding Teacher
– Unsung Hero Award
These categories not only provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse aspects of educational excellence but also encourage schools to assess and improve upon various critical dimensions of student and teacher experiences.
Schools and educators eager to showcase their achievements are invited to submit their entries no later than January 5, 2025. Each submission will undergo a stringent evaluation process conducted by a panel of experts, ensuring that all entries adhere to established criteria and performance standards.
The ADEK Awards represent more than just accolades; they embody a collaborative effort to enhance educational practices across Abu Dhabi, fostering an environment where students are encouraged to thrive. As the UAE continues to emerge as a knowledge hub in the Arab world, initiatives such as these play a vital role in shaping a well-equipped, innovative future generation.
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