As part of UAE Innovation Week, Uber is launching the ‘Future of Schools’ competition, in collaboration with The General Secretariat of The Executive Council (TEC), the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) and Dubai Education Zone (DEZ). The competition asks students to imagine and design the school of the future that would cater to the needs of our new generations, and addresses key questions that include:

What does education look like in the future? What are the current challenges faced by modern schools? How do we make education accessible to everyone? How do we make education sustainable and affordable? How can we create a system where education can be ‘on-demand’ and smarter?  What role does technology play in education? What about considerations towards environmental challenges? What about peer-to-peer learning?

These are just a few questions that educators tackle on a daily basis. The Future of Schools competition puts the power of education reform in the hands of today’s youth and tomorrows’ leaders. We want to hear the thoughts and ideas of students; we want them to reimagine schools of the future.

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

Please email [email protected] with your school name and we will send you the brief. There can only be one team per school, up to 5 students and one teacher.

WHAT IS THE TIMELINE?

Schools have until December 6th to confirm their participation. We are accepting the first 20 schools.

There will be an open day at the Uber offices on Tuesday December 15th.

The final project is to be completed end of January at which point we will select 5 finalists. The winner will be announced mid February.

WHAT IS THE JUDGING CRITERIA?

Teams will be judged on the following criteria:

  • Research
  • The big idea
  • The practicalities making the idea a reality
  • Presentation of their idea

WHAT DO WE NEED TO SUBMIT?

The presentation should be a maximum of 15 minutes.

Teams can present in any manner or format they like, the only stipulation is that all team members must participate in the presentation

WHAT IS THE JUDGING PROCESS?

FIRST ROUND – SHORTLISTS

  • A team from Uber UAE will review all submissions – in written format or PPT – and shortlist the top five teams, end of January 2016

SECOND ROUND – FINALISTS

  • Five shortlisted teams, each representing a school, will be invited to present their proposals to a high-level panel of judges from both a governmental and institutional level in early February 2016. The five teams will have mentorship from Uber team members.

What is the prize?

The prize will be an all-expense paid trip to visit the Uber Headquarters offices in San Francisco.

Best of Luck,

Team Uber Dubai