Innovation and sustainability sparked in UAE students

UAE, 8 February 2023: natrl^TM box water,the UAE’s first boxed mineral water brand, successfully concluded the inaugural natrl^TM eco-architect awards 2022/2023, proudly announcing the winners of the Junior and Senior categories at a gala ceremony held at Media Rotana Dubai on Saturday, 4 February 2023.

Siblings, Reissa and Raja Pardede from Repton Abu Dhabi attained the Senior natrl^TM eco-architect award for their engaging and educational board game, complete with mystery cards made from natrl^TM water boxes, specially-created game characters using the natrl^TM water taps, and aesthetics designed by fashioning the natrl^TM recyclable bladders.

Jana Barkawi, Bessma Wajih and Winona Horobin from Repton Al Barsha, attained the Junior natrl^TM eco-architect award for their fully automated sweet dispenser using natrl^TM boxes, and fashionably woven bags crafted from natrl^TM’s recyclable bladders, which earned them a golden ticket to the final stage of the competition. 

Under the theme of ‘Reduce, Reuse, recycle,’ 275 students from Repton Abu Dhabi, Repton Al Barsha and Repton Dubai competed to build a better tomorrow, by creating fun, functional and impactful designs with their used natrl^TM water boxes. Inspiring them to sustain an eco-friendly lifestyle and have a positive impact on the environment, participants were evaluated for their creative concepts based on five judging criteria: functionality, creativity, problem-solving, presentation, use of the box and ease of recreating. 

Five shortlisted entrants from each category – Junior category for 5 – 9 years, and Senior category for 10 – 16 years – attended the natrl^TM eco-architect awards 2022 ceremony held at the five-star hotel, Media Rotana Dubai.

David Cook, Chief Education Officer at Excella and Headmaster of Repton Dubai says, “The natrl^TM eco-architect awards has been an exciting and positive learning experience for the students. I am proud to have witnessed their innovative designs first-hand, and I would like to congratulate each Reptonian for their outstanding participation. Each student has embodied the Reptonian passion to strive for excellence during the competition.” 

The first Junior and Senior natrl^TM eco-architects each received scholarship prizes worth AED 10,000 towards their academic development, in addition to AED 500 natrl^TM gift vouchers, vouchers from Revolution Cycles Dubai and a family weekend getaway for four at Rotana Hotels & Resorts. The winners will also receive an internship opportunity with One Moto Electric Vehicles.

Launched in November 2022, the natrl^TM eco-architect awards were introduced to support the Ministry of Education’s sustainability plan to emphasise green issues as part of the curriculum. natrl^TM also developed bespoke lesson plans focused on the three ‘Rs’ in partnership with international online educational publishing house, Twinkl.

The eco-friendly Artesian mineral water brand is also creating a catalogue with ‘steps-to-follow’ to recreate the all finalists’ designs, which will be available to all participating students in the UAE when entering their submissions for the natrl^TM eco-architect awards 2023. 

“We are thrilled to have received such an overwhelming response from the students for our first natrl^TM eco-architect awards. I am truly amazed by the students and their vision of the future. I would like to thank all the participants for their outstanding submissions and every stakeholder for bringing the awards 2022 to life, and look forward to many successful iterations to come,” concludes James Mudie, CEO of natrl^TM box water.

Last Updated on 9 months by News Desk 2