For students, Dubai Design Week is the perfect field trip

Dubai - Most of the students were first-time visitors at the design fair

It's that time of the year. Dubai is at its creative best during the annual Dubai Design Week (DDW). Tens of thousands of attendees are expected to throng the week-long design festival, which opened to the public yesterday with a variety of installations and exhibits across the city.
For school students in Dubai, the concept of field trips is seemingly changing from 'recreational' to 'educational' in keeping with the city's design evolution.
With a camera in one hand, and a notepad in another, students from different schools (German International School Dubai, Cambridge International School, Gems Founder School, St. Mary's Catholic High School Dubai, and The Winchester School, to name a few) and across ages flocked to Dubai Design District (D3) on day 2 of the event.
Most of the students were first timers at design fair, and said that educational and creative festivals such as the DDW are their preferred choices for a field trip, as opposed to an amusement park.
"The environment is very intriguing; it gives us different ideas and ways of expressing ourselves. Art doesn't have to be only on canvas - it can also help people, and further causes," said Tyla Haribance and Thamanna DeSilva, Gems Founder School students.
According to St. Mary's Catholic High School students Lian Fernandes and Simran Khurram, events like DDW serve as inspiration and creative fodder, especially when completing coursework.
"I'm enjoying the vibe here. Our field trip was only for one day, but I'd love to attend the event again. I've never seen the kind of exhibits that are on display here." said Aashi Babu, student of The Winchester School.
The Global Grad Show; a not-for-profit initiative that brings together graduates' projects from 92 universities, was a firm favourite among the students. The third edition of the annual exhibition is themed on three components - empowerment, sustainability and connection. The winning project will be recognised with the Progress Prize.
Entry and access to most DDW elements is free of charge. "Free education and free knowledge is easily accessible to the public. Essentially, all you have to do is register to participate. It's unprecedented!" Rawan Kashkoush, DDW's head of programming, said at a press conference.
disha@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai