The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

By creating opportunities for young people to develop skills, get physically active, give service and experience adventure, the Award can play a critical role in their development outside the classroom. It also allows their achievement to be consistently recognised worldwide, giving young people unique international accreditation of their experiences.

The International Award fits well within the ethos of NAISAK, relying on students accepting responsibility for their own goals and working hard to achieve them. The students must show commitment in completing the different sections of the Award (Physical recreation; Skills; Voluntary service), as well as showing respect and being nice to each other as part of a team to complete the Adventurous Journey. The Award will help students develop skills, which will stay with them throughout life, including leadership, resilience, self-confidence, teamwork, problem-solving, time management and communication. Having completed the award will show universities and potential employers the characteristics and skills which the students possess and will help them in whichever path they chose.

NAISAK only started running the International Award relatively recently, however they have already seen many students taking part and completing the award. Some students are already taking part in the Silver Award, having previously completed the Bronze Award. All the Adventurous Journeys are completed in Qatar in Zekreet, Al Thakira or Al Ruwais regions. Last year we had a total of 16 students taking part in the Bronze Award and 5 students in the Silver Award.

In the coming years, it is our aim at NAISAK to expand the award further to include students participating in their Gold Awards. The progression through the award levels will also help the students in their academic life. The skills they develop during this journey will be invaluable no matter in what direction life leads them.