The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), announced today, it has signed a partnership agreement with Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM), to enhance science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) related learning in Abu Dhabi, as it supports the development of the next generation of skilled workers that will be the driving force of the UAE’s economy.
Under the terms of the agreement, the ‘Yas in Schools’ program, a youth initiative of ADMM which offers schools a pathway of project-based, motorsport-themed STEM learning programs for students aged 8 to 21 years, will be provided across ADNOC’s entire network of schools and technical institutes, as well as government and private schools in UAE.
More than 450 schools in the UAE have incorporated the Yas in Schools programme into their curriculum, providing STEM-related learning for some 35,000 students with that number looking to be dramatically increased with ADNOC’s involvement.
ADNOC will also be the title sponsor of the F1™ in Schools World Final, taking place on Yas Island in the same week as the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019.
The F1™ in Schools World Final will see teams of students from around the world research, build and race model F1 cars. Aimed at high school students aged 12-16, F1™ in Schools was created to nurture important skills in a fun, interactive, and educational environment and is the pinnacle of global STEM-based programmes.
The agreement was signed by Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Director of the Executive Office Directorate at ADNOC, and Saif Rashed Al Noaimi, Deputy CEO of Yas Marina Circuit.
Commeting on the agreement, Al Suwaidi said: “ADNOC is focused on creating a sustainable positive social impact by delivering programs that support the country’s future economic development plans. The ‘Yas in Schools’ program is fully aligned with ADNOC’s commitment to advance the education and training of the UAE’s young generations.
“We believe that investing in our students today will result in a more competitive workforce for tomorrow. Through this program, our students will be provided with new and exciting challenges that push the boundaries of what they can achieve. It provides exciting STEM learning opportunities for students and also gives students and parents a glimpse into possible future career options in engineering and manufacturing.”
‘Yas in Schools’ initiative features the program ‘F1 in Schools’, a global multi-disciplinary challenge in which teams of students aged 9 to 19 deploy CAD/CAM software to collaborate, design, analyse, manufacture, test, and then race miniature compressed air powered cars made from a Formula 1 (F1) model block.
The programme also features Formula Ethara, a “Classroom Racing” Team Challenge for children to develop a model race car made from paper card and test their cars on the Formula Ethara Race Track and Land Rover 4X4 in Schools’ Challenge, a competition to design and build a radio controlled four-wheel drive (4×4) vehicle.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “Partnering with ADNOC is a historic occasion in the ongoing development of Yas in Schools and a wonderful opportunity for the advancement of STEM-related skills in the UAE.
“We are thrilled to partner with such a prestigious organization that shares our vision of promoting skills advancement through the excitement of Formula 1 and motorsport. Yas in Schools is a vital tool in providing students with access to STEM-related learning in an interactive environment and has long-term community benefits for nurturing talent in the UAE’s engineering and manufacturing sectors.”
Yas in Schools will also will be present at the 7th Young ADIPEC event, taking place at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on 11th-14th November.
