DUBAI // A group of Emirati pupils was on Sunday given a ringside view of the UAE’s growing economic and business muscle, as it continued its 10-day journey around the country.
On the third day of the Journey of the Union, the youngsters were shown around Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the city’s financial heart. For most of the 28 teenagers it was the first time they had visited “the city within a city”, and they were awestruck by what they saw.
“This is incredible,” said Ali Saif Shawi, 16, from Umm Al Quwain. “It is really the international side of Dubai and it just shows the high standards that we have set for ourselves as a country.”
Rashed Al Kindi, 15, from Fujairah, who takes a keen interest in science and wants to become an engineer in the oil industry, said: “I think we are now seeing how quickly Dubai and the country have changed over the past few years.
“Seeing all these amazing buildings makes me very proud and also excited to see what the future holds for us as a country.
“The style of the buildings is unique but also in keeping with our culture and they have done it in a way that honours the past, but in a way that isn’t forgetting our traditions.”
The pupils were taken on a tour of the financial district before being shown a presentation explaining how the DIFC operates.
“It was really interesting to see how it operates because they said it has its own rules, laws and courts,” said Amna Al Amri, 16, from Sharjah. “I’ve seen DIFC on the TV, but you don’t realise the scale of it until you are there yourself.”
The group, made up of two boys and two girls from each emirate, were in a giddy mood as they were taken around the area.
Draped in UAE scarves they were eager to capture the moment for posterity on their smartphones, before getting into their tour bus for the short trip to Emirates Towers and a meeting with officials at the Prime Minister’s office.
“I was really impressed by the fact that everyone, from business leaders to the government officials, are all striving for excellence in whatever they do,” said Saad Sahmi Alahbabi, 16, from Al Ain, after the meeting.
“Today has really shown me why Dubai has developed so quickly and has become known around the world, and that’s because no one settles for second place.”
For Sultan Al Nuaimi, 15, also from Al Ain, the trip sparked an intense desire to contribute to the country.
“Seeing what I have seen today – and since we started this journey – has really opened my eyes to what is expected of me as a citizen and as an Emirati,” he said. “I want to do something that will make the UAE number one and make it the best country in the world.”
At the Prime Minister’s Office they were given an overview of the role of the Government and how it works to improve business and keep the emirate and country growing.
The Journey of the Union is being organised by Al Bayt Mitwahid, which is an association formed from employees of the Crown Prince Court.
It is focused on raising awareness about the achievements and growth of the seven emirates over the past 43 years.
The teenagers began their journey with a visit to the home of Sheikh Zayed, the Founder of the UAE, which is preserved as Al Ain Palace Museum.
Their two-day stay in Dubai included a tour of Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, and learning more about Expo2020.
In the coming days they will see Masdar City, the under-construction Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi and the Ed-Dur archaeological site in Umm Al Quwain, one of the largest in the UAE.
In Dubai, they also visited Al Ahmadiya School and Heritage House and the Bastakiya historical area of the city.
nhanif@thenational.ae