November 23, 2017, GEMS Wellington School, Silicon Oasis: Students from GEMS school accompanied by CUD staff recorded a song, celebrating the diversity of Dubai titled ‘You’re Dubai.’
The song was written by Dr. Franziska Apprich, Assistant Professor and Head of Learning Zones and Incubation in CUD, in collaboration her Communications students.
The recording of the song is a follow up to an initiative in early October when students from the Communications Department worked closely with GEMS students on the subject of bullying. During their classes the GEMS students wrote and recorded lines about anti- bullying.
The students were so impressed by the creativity of the students that they felt motivated to prolong the relationship and as a result encouraged Dr. Fran to pen a song.
The song was recorded by the GEMS School Choir ‘Resonance’, under the supervision of music teacher Olivia Shields and, music coordinator Danielle Boylan. The choir was accompanied by members of staff from CUD.
The song is about the beauty and innovation of Dubai and how it has given us all a home. We’re all part of Dubai and are happy to be living in this peaceful and tolerant place.
Many of our students have been born in Dubai and consider this to be their home. Every time Fran comes into a classroom she is reminded of the diversity and beauty of Dubai.
Dr. Fran expressed the hope that the song would receive the maximum exposure through Radio and Social media as she felt that many people share the values of the song and music video.
The song is the end product of an initiative between CUD and Gems School addressing issues around bullying and examining strategies for coping.
Speaking on behalf of the GEMS School, Thomas Nelson, Head of Emerald House and Physical Education teacher who originally invited CUD to participate in the anti-bullying campaign said that it was important to encourage students to acquire confidence when discussing issues around bullying in the classroom, making it easier for students to talk about bullying issues when they happen, and also providing a better understanding of why they happen and how people are affected.
We wanted to establish a link with The Canadian University of Dubai and with the help of Dr. Fran and her students, we were able to work together to deliver songwriting workshops that allowed our students to express their feelings and experiences around the theme of prejudice and discrimination.
For the future, our ambition is to ensure that this awareness and message remains a focal point at the Academy throughout the academic year. As a school we know we have made a positive difference to our students in recognizing, reporting and responding to bullying.
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