Opened in August 2022 with a vision to re-imagine the educational landscape in the UAE, Citizens school unapologetically different. We are an all-inclusive school, with 77 different nationalities and 600 learners. Notice the word ‘learners’ that is your first clue into what sets us apart. At Citizens we do not have students, we do not use the word. Instead, we have learners. We do not have teachers, we have mentors.
David Lees, Principal at Citizens School in Dubai, emphasises the importance of entrepreneurship and personalised learning in shaping the educational approach of his organisation. He believes that these elements are crucial for preparing learners for future challenges and creating an environment where innovation and individual growth are prioritised.
Welcome to the third episode of DisruptEd, offering a look into the future of education, in conversations with experts discussing research and real-world applications. The podcast, produced by Citizens School explores how breakthroughs in learning and teaching are shaping the way we prepare learners for the future.
DisruptEd is hosted by Dr. Adil Alzarooni, a serial entrepreneur, lifelong learner, and founder of Citizens School.
In this episode, Dr. Adil speaks with Samer Hamadeh, a seasoned entrepreneur in the F&B and entertainment industries. Samer shares how his unconventional career journey – from launching creative nightlife concepts like Stereo Arcade to founding the award-winning Akiba Dori – was shaped by personal passion, risk-taking, and a desire for freedom.
Their conversation dives into redefining success, embracing failure, and how today’s education can nurture entrepreneurial thinking and future-ready mindsets.
Listen or Watch Now
Listen or watch the episode on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your favorite podcast platform. As this is a new podcast, we appreciate your feedback and ideas on who to interview next.
To connect with Dr. Adil, please follow the links below.
Connect with Dr. Adil
LinkedIn /adilalzarooni
Instagram /dradilalzarooni
TikTok /dradilalzarooni
Connect with Samer
Instagram /iammrbrightside
LinkedIn /samer-s-hamadeh
K-12 leaders from across the GCC weigh in on their expectations for the event, its impact on the sector and recommendations on what they believe will add value to such events.
Citizens School is ready to take on the 30×30 Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC), encouraging the entire Citizens community – from mentors to learners and their families – to make fitness a daily habit.
Since 2017, the 30×30 DFC has motivated millions of participants to embrace a healthier lifestyle by encouraging them to engage in 30 minutes of exercise for 30 days.
Citizens School is taking participation to the next level this year, introducing different daily activities across the campus and to do at home to help inspire a fitness-focused mindset in our learners and the community for years to come. Our range of daily activities promise to bring fun and enjoyment to every age group while also promoting teamwork, movement and overall better wellbeing.
We’re looking forward to seeing the entire Citizens community come together to make fitness a priority at this year’s 30×30 DFC! Check out our calendar of daily activities, post your activities on Instagram and be sure to tag us @citizensschoolme.
To download our 30×30 DFC calendar, click here.
Some UAE schools are moving away from the age-old model of traditional classrooms and subjects in a bid to reform education, revamp learning and properly prepare pupils for the future.
Considering it outdated by today’s standards, they no longer want to mirror the system of separating subjects or having pupils sitting behind desks memorising what they have been taught.
