Wang Haolan

Holly_cn@163.com

THE Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE Award) has officially licensed Shekou International School (SIS) as one of its award centers in Shenzhen.

A ceremony was held Wednesday at SIS’ Net Valley Campus in Shekou, Nanshan District, marking the establishment of the new center. With this addition, the total number of DofE Award centers in Shenzhen has grown to nine.

“The DofE Award is a famous and important initiative in the U.K., aiming to help young people around the world find and develop new skills,” said Sarah Mann, British consul-general in Guangzhou, during an interview with Shenzhen Daily. “It brings the U.K.’s attitude to global education.”

Established in 1956 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the award is one of the world’s most prestigious youth development programs, now operating in over 130 countries and regions. It is offered at three levels — bronze, silver, and gold.

To earn an award at any level, participants must complete four sections: voluntary service, physical recreation, skills, and adventurous journey. The program empowers young people aged 13-24 to discover their potential, build leadership and communication skills, develop resilience, and become positive agents of change in their communities.

Will Sung, vice chair of the British Chamber of Commerce South China, stated that the program helps build a talent pipeline by fostering future leaders with resilience, empathy, and a deep understanding of diverse cultures.

“The awards are quintessentially British, while SIS is an international school,” Sung said. “Through the program, local students gain insight into British values and the way students grow up in the U.K. It fosters intercultural understanding from a young age.”

According to Sung, the British Chamber of Commerce will assist students participating in the program by offering work placements through its member organizations and providing mentors to guide them on projects they might not otherwise have access to.

Harish Kanabar, head of SIS, said that the award aligns perfectly with the school’s educational values, which emphasize essential transferable skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and communication.

“The award isn’t about competing with others — it’s about helping students learn more about themselves and develop new skills beyond academics,” Kanabar explained. “Each participant is paired with a mentor who tracks their commitment and supports them in achieving the award. Students are responsible for coming up with their own ideas for how they want to participate.”

The DofE Award was introduced to the Chinese mainland in 2019 when a National Award Operator was established in Shanghai. Since then, the program has expanded to over 135 schools across the country, with a national award center based in Shanghai.

“Shenzhen is a city where East meets West. It offers unique platforms and opportunities for developing the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award projects,” said Garrison Lu, chairman and national director of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award China. “I hope young people here will make full use of the resources available in their schools and communities to design projects within the award’s universal framework.”