UAE students gearing up for Shell Better Environment Award

During their visit, the judging panel discovered unprecedented levels of collaboration with in the schools coupled with innovative and creative student projects.

The Shell Better Environment Award (BEA) 2007-2008 is an initiative in cooperation with the Ministry of Education to boost and raise awareness on environmental issues that focus on Health Safety and Environment (HSE) such as Safety at Home, Road Safety, Global Warming, Energy, Obesity and Smoking. This year the BEA segregated the levels and standards of the competition to focus primarily on projects that suit the students' age and level of education. The judging committee planned a surprise visit to government and private, primary and secondary schools across the UAE to see them in action and to review their progress. The judging panel included representatives from the Ministry of Education, Dubai Health Authority, Zayed Environmental Prize and Shell.

Omar Al Qurashi, Communications Manager, Shell, said: "Projects were selected in accordance to issues that are relevant at present to the UAE. During our surprise visit we found that secondary students work as ambassadors to the junior levels assisting and guiding them in the creation of their projects. We are pleased to mention the standard consistently climbs every year in terms of commitment, creativity and content."

In October 29th 2007, Shell announced the theme of the projects and students were given the opportunity to apply to be short listed in order to receive funding for their projects. The deadline for the final projects is April 20th 2008, and the winners will be announced on the BEA awards ceremony held on May 7th 2008.