HRH The Duke of York honours GEMS students with iDEA Awards, a first for UAE schools

His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, has honoured 14 students from GEMS Cambridge International School - Abu Dhabi with the ‘Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award’ (iDEA) Bronze Award, for their entrepreneurial and digital skills.

iDEA, instituted by The Duke of York, helps young people learn how to create, build and shine in the digital world by equipping them with the necessary digital and enterprise skills they will need to impress their future employers and unlock their potential.

During his visit to the school, HRH The Duke of York also unveiled a plaque and inaugurated the iDEA Labs established by the school for its students.

Speaking on the occasion, HRH The Duke of York, said: “The aim of the iDEA programme is to help young people become digital citizens, wherever they are in the world. I was delighted to meet so many imaginative students at GEMS Cambridge International School - Abu Dhabi, and to hear how they are improving their digital literacy skills on the programme.”

Accompanying HRH The Duke of York was Dino Varkey, Chief Executive Officer, GEMS Education, GEMS Education; Kelvin Hornsby, CEO and Principal of GEMS Cambridge International School and Bradley Jones, Director of Global Business Development, GEMS Education.

Dino Varkey, Chief Executive Officer, GEMS Education, said: “The iDEA awards are a true hallmark of excellence for our students. Preparing them for the real world and equipping them with the required digital skills places them ahead of others and prepares them for the marketplace. At GEMS Education, we are proud to be part of this programme. Along with focusing on academics, we make a conscious effort to develop and enhance practical skills required to succeed in the world of work.”

The iDEA programme is split into four challenges – the iDEA citizen, iDEA worker, iDEA maker and iDEA entrepreneur. The Bronze awards can be earned by taking a range of digital and enterprise challenges online. Subsequently, challenges to the iDEA Silver Awards will be unlocked, ultimately leading to the iDEA Gold Awards.

Kelvin Hornsby, CEO and Principal of GEMS Cambridge International School, Abu Dhabi, said: “Our school is a self-motivated and forward-thinking school which allows students to develop the necessary skills for future success. The school prides itself on meeting the high standard within our classrooms which are equipped with state-of-the-art resources for the modern-day learner.”