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Estedad Overview

The National Ambassadors Program "Estedad" is an enrichment and capacity building initiative launched by the Ministry of Education in June 2020 which aims to provide high school students with essential skills to enable them to prosper in various fields in which research, soft skills, entrepreneurial, leadership, media, and diplomatic skills are highly needed. In addition, it provides students with the knowledge and tools required to apply to universities. Each summer, a number of National Ambassadors Programs will be implemented. These programs are the first of their kind in the UAE.

Duration: 2 weeks in summer 2023 (varies from one track to another)

Date & Timing: 2 weeks within 17th - 28th of July 2023 depending on the program (the date, duration, and timing vary from one track to another)

Implementation method: Virtually during the 2023 schools summer vacation

Registration Fees: The program is free of charge

Registration Deadline: Tuesday 27th of June 2023 at midnight

Participation Rules

The program targets school students and teachers according to the following:

Targeted School Students

Passionate and self-driven students from Grades 9 to 12 according to the following:

  • UAE-nationals and non UAE-nationals from all government, private, and vocational schools.
  • Students who completed grade 8 and those who completed grade 12 (this summer 2023) are eligible for this program.


Targeted Teachers

  • Registration is open for government and private schools’ cycle 3 Teachers (managerial and admin staff are NOT allowed to participate).
  • Teachers will benefit from the training program as trainees in the track with predefined objectives determined by the implementing university/entity.
  • Teachers will monitor and report the students’ performance during the training sessions.


Implementing Universities/Entities

The top universities & renowned entities which are specialized in one (or all) of the main tracks (research, enrichment, entrepreneurship, diplomacy, creative industries), and can commit to developing a specialized comprehensive proposal and implement it.

Objectives

  • Developing a quality sustainable model for the Ministry’s Ambassadors Program, where the cycle will always start nationally, and then only the very top performing students get the opportunity to represent internationally.
  • Provide students with the scientific research methodology concepts, skills, and practical experience through undertaking ongoing or new research projects.
  • Train and empower students by building their entrepreneurial concepts, skills, and practical experience through practical learning enriching their soft skills such as their communication skills, teamwork, negotiating, debating and critical thinking abilities.
  • To develop the media and communication skills necessary to excel in radio, television, journalism, public relations and advertising.
  • Identify the best performing students for the major programs/competitions in the country, whether run by MOE (such as Emirates Young Scientist Competition) or by other entities.
  • Promote Student’s skills and knowledge to enable them in the process of applying to the top ranked & reputable national or international universities.

National vs International Ambassadors

The National Ambassadors Program is a prerequisite for the International Ambassadors Programs that the Ministry of Education has been implementing yearly since 2016 which involves different tracks including Innovation, Future, Diplomacy, Sports, and Masterpieces. The EMIRATI students who excel in the National Ambassadors Program will have the priority to be nominated for joining one of the International Ambassadors Programs.