Sharjah, UAE (21 June 2021): – The Bee’ah School of Environment (BSOE), a comprehensive, bilingual environmental education programme led by Bee’ah, the pioneering force for sustainable solutions in the Middle East, celebrated the achievements of 15 winners at its 11th edition of the Environmental Excellence School Award (EESA) ceremony.

The UAE-wide competition received more than 700 entries from participating schools, who presented creative environmental-related projects under the 2020/2021 theme ‘The Future of Sustainability in the UAE’. The winners, including students and teachers, were awarded cash prizes totaling 85,000 AED across four categories.

Commenting on the occasion, H.E Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee’ah said, “The Environmental Excellence School Award is an annual highlight for Bee’ah, which encourages innovation and creativity among UAE youth and educators. At Bee’ah, we believe in engaging with the wider community and providing our future leaders and innovators with opportunities to contribute to a more sustainable future and carry our legacy forward.”

Hind Al Huwaidi, Director of Education at Bee’ah, said, “Bee’ah has been a long-standing advocate for sustainability, and it has been an honour to see Bee’ah School of Environment programme develop into a leading platform for youth to use their talents and deliver unique projects. We are particularly proud of our EESA initiative, and how it has grown over the past 11 years. We have adapted our award categories to make it more relevant for today’s digital generation, and encouraging them to create environmental podcasts, e-magazines and even mobile applications. Thank you to all participating students and teachers for your overwhelming support, and your enthusiasm in shaping a brighter future.”

Duracell was the official sponsor for the awards for the third year in a row, partnering on a special competition category, Best Environmental E-Storybook and Song based on the theme, ‘The Lifecycle of a Battery’.

Amer Afifi, General Manager, Duracell Middle East & India said, “We at Duracell, are proud and pleased to have supported the EESA awards for the third year in a row. It was great to see the enthusiasm from the participants, proving that the intention and focus of the future generation is committed to sustainability and a greener environment. Duracell, in alignment with Bee’ah’s mandate for promoting a circular economy, champions battery recycling, responsible disposal and efforts to divert used batteries away from landfills. Our hearty congratulations to the winners and thank you so much to everyone who participated.”

Launched in 2010, the BSOE has reached more than 252,000 students from KG to Grade 12 and 6,500 teachers through comprehensive lesson plans and activities, delivered through online and offline programmes. The BSOE team delivers presentations and undertakes workshops for students and teachers, in addition to encouraging environmental activism through competitions like the nationwide Environmental Excellence School Award (EESA).

Winners of the 10th Environmental Excellence School Award (EESA):

- Best Environmental E-storybook and Song

- 1st Place: Priyanka Gopinath, GEMS Millennium School

- 2nd Place: Saira Thomas, Our Own English High School

- 3rd Place: Aashay Jay, GEMS Millennium School

- 4th Place: Anshika Pandey, GEMS Millennium School

- Best Environmental E-magazine

- 1st Place: Krishendu Rajesh, Leaders Private School

- 2nd Place: Maria Daniella Papa, The New Filipino Private School

- 3rd Place: Gianna Vida, The New Filipino Private School

- 4th Place: Archita Amol Panicker, India International School

- Best Environmental Mobile Application

- 1st Place: Shamma Fathima, India International School

- 2nd Place: Sravya Nagalakunta, The Indian High School

- 3rd Place: Valerie S. Burog, Al Alfiah Filipino Private School

- 4th Place: Gerard Nicole V. Rubio, Al Alfiah Filipino Private School

- Teacher- Best Environmental Podcast

- 1st Place: Nadiya Zainal, India International School

- 2nd Place: Soniya Iqbal, India International School

- 3rd Place: Smitha Chandran.S, India International School