ADEK’s Pre-Departure Week: UAE students gear up to go global The program is guided by 11 core pillars, developed through feedback from students, parents, and industry partners, to offer a support system. July 16, 2025
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has launched its Pre-Departure Week, a comprehensive program aimed at preparing 300 students from its scholarship programs for academic journeys abroad.
The launch ceremony was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence.
Held in collaboration with 25 national and international partners, the initiative is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to thrive in global academic environments and proudly represent the UAE.
The Pre-Departure Week provides a holistic preparation experience that includes academic readiness, cultural adaptation, psychological resilience, and key life skills. The sessions cover leadership development, financial literacy, personal safety abroad, and wellbeing strategies, ensuring students are ready to handle both educational and everyday challenges in their host countries.
Program partners include prominent local and federal entities such as the Ministry of Defense, Department of Government Enablement, Abu Dhabi Police, Sandooq Al Watan, National Library and Archives, and the National Rehabilitation Center.
Other key contributors are the Family Care Authority, Abu Dhabi Public Health Center, Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, General Authority of Islamic Affairs (AWQAF), and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA).
Further support comes from 42 Abu Dhabi, the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA), the International Etiquette and Protocol Academy, and the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. In addition, nine foreign embassies are contributing valuable expertise and specialized programming to enhance the experience for participating students.
The program is guided by 11 core pillars, developed through feedback from students, parents, and industry partners, to offer a support system that extends beyond traditional academic preparation.
These pillars include national identity and cultural preservation, teaching students to represent the UAE with dignity and pride, and understanding immigration laws and global mobility, ensuring awareness of their legal rights and responsibilities while abroad.
The training also incorporates modules on health and safety, including infectious disease prevention and personal well-being management, and sessions on professional etiquette and diplomatic conduct to prepare students for engagement in diverse social and professional environments.
Beyond theory, the initiative integrates hands-on workshops and interactive simulations, culminating in a global culinary class at ICCA Abu Dhabi, where students acquire practical cooking and nutrition skills, essential for confident and independent living during their time overseas.
To date, ADEK has awarded 2,190 scholarships, enabling students to pursue higher education across more than 20 countries. This milestone reflects the UAE’s enduring commitment to developing future generations of global citizens, individuals who not only succeed academically but also contribute meaningfully to their communities while upholding national values abroad.