DUBAI // Hundreds of pupils yesterday had their say on tackling environmental challenges at the UAE’s first Pakistan student leadership conference.
Organisers at the Pakistan Youth Forum brought togther 11 schools whose pupils took on the issues of climate change, access to clean water and feeding a growing world population.
Schools each sent a team of four pupils, mostly from Grade 12, to the Pakistan Association Dubai for the conference.
Arooba Khalid and Zoha Waseem, pupils of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Arab Pakistani School in Abu Dhabi, took part.
“Our presentation was about how to get access to clean and fresh water. It went very well. We are happy that people appreciated our ideas to solve such a crucial global issue,” Arooba said.
Their teacher, Laila Naheed, said the conference would “not only [allow pupils to] share knowledge but also gain them confidence to face the world”.
Ms Naheed, an English teacher and environment coordinator, said: “Although the Pakistani community schools face several resources-related challenges, such an overwhelming participation from schools proves that there is a huge demand for such activities.”
Spencer Chan, a speaker and judge at the conference, found the Pakistani pupils to be “extremely confident”.
“Many of these students, despite being so young, made wonderful presentations and had excellent ideas for solving crucial global issues,” he said.
Mr Chan said the event helped children who focus on rote learning to expand their world view.
“It’s not just about Pakistan, it’s a general problem in Asian academic systems where most of the child’s energy goeson memorising things,” he said.
“Memorisation can be important but it is not everything. Asian schools need to better nurture the creative part of their students’ personalities and such events provide an excellent opportunity.”
Dr Jameela Haq, of the Pakistan Youth Forum, said she was overwhelmed by the’ response.
“Such events give an opportunity to Pakistani students to groom their interactive skills and present their ideas to a wider audience,” she said.
Pakistani Ajman School won the day by creating an app that will help users monitor their food wastage.
The team picked up a trophy and members took home Dh250 each.
akhaishgi@thenational.ae
