- Jumeirah partners with UK charity Ocean Generation to pilot UNESCO-approved Ocean Academy in 5 Dubai schools
- Students aged 5-16 engage in interactive lessons on marine biodiversity, coral reef conservation & sustainable fisheries
- Initiative extends Jumeirah’s marine conservation legacy, aiming to build a generation of ocean-aware, sustainability-driven youth
Luxury hotel chain Jumeirah, owned by Dubai Holding, has teamed up with UK charity Ocean Generation to introduce marine environmental studies into UAE schools. The tie-up is the start of the pilot programme for Ocean Generation's UNESCO-approved Ocean Academy programme, which rolled out this week in five Dubai schools.
Greenfield International School, The Arbor School, Hartland International School, Fairgreen International School, and Dubai British School Emirates Hills hosted the initial sessions of the programme. Children aged five to sixteen attended interactive and curriculum-matched modules that covered topics such as coral reef conservation, marine biodiversity, sustainable fisheries, and the important services oceans deliver to the planet.
The Ocean Academy project sought to open up marine science and make it more interesting for youth. Teachers were provided with pre-prepared lesson plans, video resources, and accompanying materials, all structured such that no previous experience in marine science was required. Beyond the classroom, assemblies and workshops were conducted so that whole school communities could engage in the discussion about safeguarding oceans.
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Ocean Generation, established in 2009 by Jo Ruxton MBE, aims to educate the next generation about and defend the marine world. The charity established the Ocean Academy to break down science problems into easily explained, easily taught concepts that can be converted into action-packed learning experiences, empowering students to think for themselves and act responsibly towards the ocean.
For Jumeirah, the project is an extension of its established tradition of environmental responsibility, specifically with respect to marine conservation. With two-thirds of its hotels and resorts along coastlines, the group has long been a leader in support of marine conservation efforts, including its longstanding program for the protection of vulnerable sea turtles. The new alliance with Ocean Generation continues this tradition, expanding beyond coastal conservation to education, with the aim of engaging a generation of ocean-aware students in the UAE.
Through the introduction of the Ocean Academy programme to schools, Jumeirah and Ocean Generation not only educate but also engender a culture of sustainability among students. The partnership highlights the need for mutual responsibility towards safeguarding marine life and healthier oceans in the future.
