Youth to tackle real-world challenges through bootcamp

A new transformational youth development programme for high school students across GCC has been launched to offer tools, mindset, and mentorship needed to tackle real-world challenges through technology, teamwork and innovation.

The programme launched by A Learning Lab in collaboration with Stanford Mentors will be set up in locations across the region for students aged 13 to 18.

Speaking about the programme, Aneeqa Larab, Deputy Head of A Learning Lab said, “The bootcamp is being held across the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and KSA from Oct.11 to 29, 2025. What sets this bootcamp apart is the depth of technical learning combined with an emphasis on leadership, ethics, and collaboration, guided by mentors from a world-renowned academic institution. Students will leave with more than just a working project; they will gain experience in professional communication, pitching ideas, working in diverse teams, and thinking critically about the impact of AI in society.

“It is also a unique networking opportunity, allowing students to build lasting connections with peers and mentors alike.”

From day one, participants will dive into collaborative activities that emphasise critical thinking, design thinking, and ethical innovation, centered around AI projects.

She said that this immersive, four-day bootcamp is designed to bring together curious, motivated students for an intensive learning journey that blends cutting-edge technology, cross-disciplinary problem solving, and world-class mentorship.

Guided by expert mentors affiliated with Stanford University, participants will work in teams to explore the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) across critical disciplines such as healthcare, law, ethics, governance, and decision science.

The bootcamp is structured as a dynamic, hands-on experience that begins with workshops, mentor talks and team formation.

From day one, participants will dive into collaborative activities that emphasise critical thinking, design thinking, and ethical innovation, centered around AI projects. With support from Stanford mentors, students learn to framereal-world challenges, define problem statements, plan data strategies, and develop initial prototypes in an environment that encourages experimentation and iteration.

The Innovation and Leadership Bootcamp is scheduled to run in Dubai from Oct.11th to 14 and Abu Dahbi from Oct.16 to 19. It will also be staged in Bahrain from Oct.16 to 19, in Qatar from Oct.26 to 29 and in Riyadh from Oct.26 to 29.

Sessions take place from 9:00 AM to 5:00 pm daily, offering students a full, immersive experience in a professional and inspiring environment.

As the programme progresses, students will be challenged to apply their technical creativity, to build the core of their solution and bring their ideas to life. Participants will learn about backend development, API design, baseline modelling and prototype validation. By building user-friendly systems that are thoughtfully designed, tested, and refined, participants will contribute to the development of meaningful solutions to real-world problems.