• Activities included a tour of the Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue Centre, the first marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return center in the MENA region, with leading scientists, veterinarians, educators and researchers.
  • The children engaged in games aimed at stimulating creativity while balancing entertainment and learning.

Abu Dhabi – UAE: Rabdan Academy, a global leader in safety, security, defence, emergency preparedness and crisis management, hosted an enchanting and educational entertainment event for orphaned children as part of its 'Together We Thrive' social responsibility initiative at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the region's first and largest marine life theme park.

In collaboration with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the event welcomed 15 orphaned children aged 5 to 12, accompanied by foster families, aiming to bring joy and smiles to their faces through a humanitarian endeavour. 

The day commenced with an enlightening tour of The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center, the MENA region's largest integrated research, rescue, rehabilitation, and education facility for marine life conservation. Attendees gained insights into the center's vital role in conservation efforts, including animal care, rescue, rehabilitation, and research initiatives, amplifying marine life preservation across the region.

His Excellency Salem Saeed Al Saeedi, Vice President of Rabdan Academy, remarked: ‘This event underscores the Academy’s commitment to initiatives that facilitate the integration of orphans into society, while supporting the government's endeavours to ensure security and social stability for all demographics.’

Al Saeedi emphasized the social responsibility initiative ‘Together We Thrive,’ initiated by the Academy as part of its 2024 strategy, highlighting its role in cultivating social solidarity and reinforcing the principles of charitable work and humanitarian giving.

Al Saeedi also expressed gratitude towards the ERC for its dedication to sponsoring orphans at local, regional and global levels, as well as for providing essential services and nurturing their talents and creativity. He also commended the ‘Miral’ Company for its support in organizing awareness, cultural, and recreational activities and programs for orphans.

Salem Al Suwaidi, Director of the ERC Abu Dhabi Center, commended the Rabdan Academy initiative aimed at supporting orphans, highlighting its alignment with the academy’s commitment to both social responsibility and academic excellence. He emphasized the ERC’s dedication to fostering partnerships across all sectors of society to enhance its humanitarian programs, promote development, and broaden the scope of beneficiaries, particularly focusing on orphans. Al Suwaidi underscored the ERC’s significant focus on supporting orphans and its efforts to garner community backing for them and their caregivers. He expressed the ERC’s eagerness for further collaboration and coordination with Rabdan Academy in this noble endeavour.

Thomas Kaferle, General Manager of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, said

"We are excited to welcome with Rabdan Academy and the Emirates Red Crescent for this special event, where we have the privilege of hosting the children at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. It's our mission to provide not only entertaining but also educational experiences that inspire a deeper appreciation for marine life. Through initiatives like this, we hope to make a positive impact on the lives of the children and contribute to their well-beingand happiness."

The event featured interactive experiences and games, inviting attendees to explore the eight themed realms at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Ocean, One Ocean, Artic, Antarctica, Rocky Point, Tropical Ocean, Endless Ocean and MicroOcean.

Children embarked on an enthralling journey, discovering the wonders of the ocean through marine animal, educational presentations and learning sessions highlighting the vibrant colours and fascinating behaviours of marine life.

Rabdan Academy employees actively engaged in this enriching experience, leveraging their educational expertise to implement a variety of interactive activities and innovative games. These initiatives aimed to nurture children's creative thinking skills while looking after a balance between entertainment and learning.

It's worth highlighting that the 'Together We Thrive' social responsibility initiative is an integral component of a comprehensive strategic plan designed to reinforce the academy's community engagement and its impactful role in societal growth and development.

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About Rabdan Academy:

Rabdan Academy is a government-owned world-class education institution established to coordinate and enhance learning outcomes for organisations and individuals in the Safety, Security, Defence, Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Management (SSDEC) Sectors.

The Academy was officially established under Law No. 7 for 2013, issued by the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and is accredited by the UAE’s Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the Ministry of Education. 

The Academy is the first higher education institution in the world specialised in the SSDEC domain that achieves top ‘5 star’ ratings in the 2 categories of Teaching and Employability under the QS Stars University Rating System.

As a unique institution, the Academy provides learning in a dual approach, combining academic and vocational education in one place, whilst recognising prior learning and experience and providing accredited and transferable credit from course to course and job to job. For more information, please visit https://ra.ac.ae/

For Media Enquiries, please contact: Corporate Communications Office (cco@ra.ac.ae)   

About SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi operated by Miral Experiences is the region’s first Marine Life Theme Park which tells a captivating 'One Ocean' story that uncovers the interconnectivity between life on earth and our ocean, inspiring a deep commitment to conserving our planet. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi delivers fun, engaging, and immersive family-friendly experiences through eight uniquely themed realms, featuring up-close animal encounters, exciting rides, inspiring entertainment, as well as unmatched dining and shopping experiences.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is committed to providing the highest standard of animal welfare based on best practices and standards set by internationally recognized animal welfare organizations. SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is the region’s first facility to be certified by Global Humane, the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare. Representing the next generation of zoological care, the animal habitats at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi have been custom designed using state-of-the art technology and a welfare-focused approach. Every day, the SeaWorld Abu Dhabi team of highly experienced and passionate veterinarians, scientists, animal care specialists, and educators devote their lives to caring for animals while also inspiring the next generation to protect and advocate for the ocean.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi is also home to the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the first-of-its-kind dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return Center in the region serving as an advanced marine science knowledge hub and a key contributor to marine life conservation. Building on United Parks & Resorts’ legacy of being one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, the Center aims to bring SeaWorld’s 60 years of experience and knowledge in animal care, rescue, rehabilitation and conservation to the UAE and wider region.

SeaWorld Abu Dhabi was developed by Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading creator of magnetic experiences in partnership with United Parks & Resorts and is the first new SeaWorld Park in 30 years and the first outside the US. Now operational, this first-of-its-kind indoor Marine Life Theme Park is managed and operated by Miral Experiences, a subsidiary of Miral and a leading operator of world-class theme parks, entertainment experiences and cultural attractions.

For more information, please visit: www.seaworldabudhabi.com

About The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center is the largest dedicated marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and return Center in the region, serving as an advanced knowledge hub for marine science. Building on SeaWorld’s legacy of being one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the world, The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center aims to bring their 60 years of experience and knowledge in marine animal care, rescue, rehabilitation and conservation to the UAE and wider region.

The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center is a world-class facility led by marine scientists, veterinarians, animal care professionals, marine animal rescue experts and educators who collaborate with peers, environmental organizations, regulators and academic institutions to impact long-term conservation efforts in the region.

The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center is a dedicated marine science facility outfitted with specialized equipment for research, rescue, rehabilitation and education operations. The Center brings together state-of-the-art research laboratories equipped with an aquaculture facility, a veterinary hospital, access to a shared necropsy facility, rescue pools with a rescue clinic as well as a wide-ranging rescue fleet to provide specialized care to rescued animals and advance marine conservation efforts. The Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center is also equipped with a high-tech auditorium and classrooms to facilitate knowledge transfer and inspire the next generation of marine scientists.

Located on Yas Island, the Yas SeaWorld Research & Rescue Center was developed by Miral, Abu Dhabi’s leading curator of magnetic experiences and United Parks & Resorts. Now operational, the Center is managed and operated by Miral Experiences, a subsidiary of Miral and a leading operator of the world-class theme parks, entertainment experiences, cultural attractions and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi.

For more information, please visit: www.seaworldabudhabi.com/en/research-and-rescue

For media inquiries:
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
Farah Sarieddine
Head of PR
fsarieddine@miral.ae