Wellbeing, positive education and the benefits of learning in nature will be the focus of a design-thinking workshop by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) on Saturday.

The workshop will be held at the Wellbeing Campus of the Hatta Development Project, an eco-tourism and learning initiative recently announced by Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The campus will use its natural surroundings to deliver programmes for children and families that promote creativity, problem-solving, empathy, healthy living, leadership skills and a sense of community, among others. During the workshop, teachers from Dubai and Hatta, as well as government partners, will generate ideas on how to design these programmes to best enrich learning and promote wellbeing.

Dr. Abdulla Al Karam, Director-General of KHDA, said: “Hatta’s rich eco-system is a gift to Dubai and to students in Dubai. The Wellbeing Campus at the Hatta Development Project will complement the education taking place within school walls by enabling children to experience the joy and learning that can happen outside of them. The design-thinking session will be a reflection of how the campus means to work – as a partnership between our government and community partners for the benefit of students and Dubai.”

Attending the workshop will be representatives from Dubai Sports Council, The Executive Office, Dubai Municipality in Hatta and Hatta Youth, as well as teachers from schools across Dubai and Hatta. Singapore-based nature community group Ground-Up Initiative and local community group Sandy Seeds will also share their expertise.

The completed Wellbeing Campus will be visited by an estimated 10,000 students each year, many of them coming for school trips. During weekends, the campus will host more than 2000 families and many global events annually.—WAM