Bouncing your way back to school

With a new academic year round the corner, a wide range of campaigns and programmes are expected to make the ‘Back to School’ experience all the more fun

By Sameer Bhat

Published: Thu 6 Sep 2012, 12:37 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 11:56 AM

As students buckle up to start a new academic year in the UAE, it is time to get those new textbooks, school bags, stationery and other classroom accessories. Schools are also likely to refurbish their existing infrastructure, induct additional school buses and assign more supervisors to ensure a smooth start to the session. Meanwhile malls, stores and retail hot spots in Dubai are all set to launch attractive campaigns and awareness programmes on going back to school.

Running until September 22, Nakheel’s thematic Ibn Battuta Mall is hosting a ‘Back to School’ season. It includes several events under the banner ‘Ibn Battuta Adventures’. Pertinently one of the largest urban shopping and cultural complexes in the region, Mall of the Emirates (MoE), too, is encouraging retailers to offer exclusive deals. MoE’s major attractions like Ski Dubai and Magic Planet have special activities to keep students entertained beyond the classroom. The mall has some great deals on teens’ fashion brands and other school-essential stores such as books, handbags and accessories, electronics and mobile and shoe outlets. A number of stores like Kipling/Jashanmal, GEOX, Early Learning Centre, Lifestyle, Charles and Keith, Aeropostale, The Athlete’s Foot, Spring and Sisters Beauty Lounge are offering exclusive deals for students and teachers only.

Other popular hangouts in the emirate, like the Al Ghurair Centre, have also announced special ‘Back to School’ campaigns. Six lucky students stand to win scholarships at any of the Al Ghurair Centre retail outlets if they spend more than Dh200. With this unique promotion, the centre aims to make it exciting for kids to go back to school after the summer holidays.

An exclusive contest designed for university students has been conceived at the Mirdif City Centre. Valid in stores such as Decathalon, Garage and Promod, students are encouraged to identify one object that defines them. They can submit pictures of objects that reflect their personality or pictures of them doing different activities such as hobbies, personal interests or achievements. The contest ‘Going Back to University’ is scheduled to run for three weeks and offers several retail prizes. In addition, Mirdif City Centre is encouraging student shoppers to donate used textbooks to those in need.

The other emirates are not too far. Sharjah City Centre is encouraging students to create their very own back to school “wish list” by putting together their ideal first day of school. The shopping list can be created by making use of shopping categories like clothes, leather goods, electronics, stationeries among other things. All “wish lists” ensembles will be shared in the Sharjah City Centre Facebook gallery for visitors to vote for their favourite list. Three most popular lists will nab exclusive goody bags.

Similarly Ajman City Centre has plans of showcasing the talent of students on the Ajman City Centre Facebook page. Fans can vote for their favourite video as three winners will be selected and invited to perform their talent at the mall. Encapsulating the essence of ‘Back to School’ the winning category students will be awarded exciting gifts.