• The active participation of the DIA EH community – over 5,000 students, parents, and staff members – resulted in 1,000 kg of E-waste collected during World Environment Day and 1,914 kg for Campus Sustainability Month.

Dubai, UAE: Dubai International Academy - Emirates Hills (DIA), the city’s only IB Continuum School rated Outstanding by KHDA, has been named in the Top 10 shortlist for the World’s Best School Prize for Environmental Action. The World’s Best School Prizes, founded by T4 Education in collaboration with Accenture, American Express, and the Lemann Foundation, are the world’s most prestigious education prizes. This year’s winners will share a $50,000 prize fund and will be invited to the World Schools Summit, to be held in Dubai on November 23-24, 2024.

Poonam Bhojani, CEO of Innoventures Education, said: “Innoventures Education schools are proud of our student-led climate action movement, that drives every aspect of our community and permeates our school culture. It's the passionate engagement and proactive initiatives of our students that truly set us apart and make us deserving of the World's Best School Prize for Environmental Action. By nurturing a culture of student-led activism and providing platforms for their voices to be heard, we will continue fostering environmental awareness, advocacy, and action.” 

The active participation of the DIA EH community – over 5,000 students, parents, and staff members – resulted in an outstanding collection of 1,000 kg of E-waste during World Environment Day and 1,914 kg for Campus Sustainability Month. Inspired by this success, students are now partnering with local businesses to place E-waste bins, expanding their impact beyond the school to the wider community.

The school's vibrant Eco Club has a 15-year legacy of tackling pressing issues like plastic pollution and E-waste. They even hosted a model COP28 event, bringing together students from across Dubai to discuss environmental challenges.

Furthermore, sustainability is embedded in the curriculum. Every unit of inquiry connects to a United Nations Sustainable Development Goal and collaboration is key – Year 2 students explore habitats, while senior members of the Water for Life club teach students water conservation, fostering a spirit of shared responsibility.  

DIA EH students have repaired and donated used bicycles to promote sustainable transportation and refurbished old iPads and laptops to support online learning initiatives in Africa. DIA EH is a solarised campus, and the school encourages car-pooling, cycling, and walking. Thanks to a year-long campaign, the number of car-free students has tripled.

Hitesh Bhagat, Principal, DIA Emirates Hills, said: “At DIA, student-led initiatives create a lasting impact. They cultivate environmental awareness, global citizenship, and a dedication to making a real difference. This movement extends beyond the school walls, inspiring a greener future for all. Being shortlisted for the World’s Best School prize is a testament to our students and teachers’ incredible efforts over the years. We couldn’t be prouder of our global-minded community who are active change agents.”

Should Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills win the World's Best School Prize for Environmental Action, the prize money would be used to advance sustainability efforts by establishing hydroponic systems for growing organic vegetables on campus. This initiative would further reduce the school's carbon footprint and enhance student engagement in eco-friendly practices, reinforcing the academy's role as a leader in environmental education and action.

-Ends-

About Innoventures Education
Founded in 2004, Innoventures Education is committed to bringing world-class education to the UAE. It manages five schools, namely, Dubai International Academy - Emirates Hills, Dubai International Academy - Al Barsha, Raffles World Academy, Raffles International School, Collegiate International School, and nine Raffles Early Childhood Centres (ECC). We offer the International Baccalaureate, American and British curricula across our schools to children. We are open to enrolment of children between the ages of 45 days – 18 years. One of the salient features of our schools and ECCs is that we provide instruction of the mother-language in 14 different languages during the school day, including French and other European languages as well. All our schools and ECCs are renowned for their high-quality curricula, inspiring learning environments and commitment to academic excellence. Together we have a total enrolment of over 9000 students from over 120 countries, with a dedicated and inspirational team of educators and administrators from virtually every corner of the globe.

Media Contact
Shalaka Paradkar
Head of Content, BPG Group
shalaka.paradkar@bpggroup.com