The inauguration held earlier today was attended by Talib AbdulKareem Jilfar, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Services Sector and Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel

UAE, Dubai, 18 November 2019:  Earlier today, Henkel, in partnership with Dubai Municipality’s Children’s City officially inaugurated its first permanent Forscherwelt (Researchers’ World) Science Lab for children in Dubai. It was attended by Talib AbdulKareem Jilfar, Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Services Sector; Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel; Holger Mahnicke, German Consul General and Mustafa İlker Kılıç Turkish Consul General. 

The new, purpose-build science centre is the first of its kind in the Middle East and is the largest Forscherwelt Science Lab for children anywhere in the world. 

H.E. Eng. Dawood Al Hajiri, Director General of Dubai Municipality said, “Opening the Forscherwelt Science Lab in Children’s City is part of the UAE’s ambition to provide children’s education that focuses on the future, innovation and science. We are confident that our visitors from the region will benefit from our comprehensive local support and expertise to shape the future of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. We strongly believe that this is in line with the region’s focus on transitioning to a knowledge-based economy, and hope to promote innovation and R&D, as prescribed in the UAE 2021 National Agenda, through the Initiative.”

Naila Al Mansoory, Children’s City Section Manager – Dubai Municipality said, “Children in the UAE will be inspired to explore the fun and excitement in science thanks to the newly-opened Forscherwelt Science Lab for children in Dubai, built in partnership with Henkel. We are extremely proud to open this new, purpose-build education laboratory in our facility at Children’s City in line with our vision to provide educational performance and entertainment programs. Moreover, we offer a range of exhibits and programs on applied sciences, nature, space exploration, human body, local and international culture as well as a kid's corner and a planetarium.” 

Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ Committee of Henkel said, “To launch Forscherwelt here in Dubai is important for Henkel because it underpins our commitment to the Middle East, a dynamic growth region for us. As a company with a strong family heritage, Henkel looks not only to develop its business in the countries that we operate in, but we also aim to create a positive impact on the local community.

“Forscherwelt encourages children at an early age to explore the world of natural sciences and to make research fun. Through this initiative we hope to inspire the next generation to study STEM subjects. We need more young minds around the world to engage in natural sciences and research. This is key to ensure progress and prosperity on a sustainable basis.”

Khulood Abdelqader Ahmed, Forscherwelt Trainer & Educational & Leisure Programs Officer, Children’s City said, “I am looking forward to welcoming local children and school groups to Forscherwelt over the coming weeks. During the training by Dr. Ute Krupp, Head of Forscherwelt, which I undertook with my colleagues, we were taught 10 new modules specially designed for the Forscherwelt Science Lab in Dubai. My colleagues and I are looking forward to helping to bring science closer to children in the UAE.” 

Josep, one of the first children to experiement in the Forscherwelt Science Lab in Dubai said, “Today was a very special day for me and my class mates. We learned how to find starch in dates and to make glue. It was a lot of fun.”

Researchers’ World or ‘Forscherwelt’ in German is an international initiative launched by Henkel in 2011 to encourage children to explore the fun and excitement in science. More than 44,000 children across the world have already taken part in Forscherwelt initiatives at centres in Germany (the home of Henkel), Russia and Turkey with specially trained teaching visiting schools across Argentina, Chile, India, Ireland, Italy and Poland. 

During the children’s program for ages 7 to 11 years old, curiosity and fun is encouraged. The goal – to get children excited about scientific research. As part of the program, children explore natural sciences by conducting practical experiments related to everyday topics associated with Henkel´s research activities such as, finding out how to extract glue from a date, how toothpaste works or how clothes become clean again and the role of enzymes in this process. 

Forscherwelt Science Lab for children in Dubai is located at Children’s City, Dubai Creek Park and is for children aged between 7 and 11 years of age. The Forscherwelt team will be offering ten, 45 minute modules, for up to 25 children per session. Sessions at Forscherwelt are free for children to attend.