Three students based in the UAE have been named among the top 50 finalists for the 2025 Global Student Prize, a prestigious international award that recognises students making a significant impact in their communities and beyond. The prize, worth $100,000, is presented annually by the Varkey Foundation in partnership with Chegg.org, and honours youth who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to global citizenship.

This year’s finalists from the UAE include Arjun Kaur Mittal, Dalia Zidan, and Wiktoria Blazik—each of whom has led high-impact initiatives while navigating demanding academic and personal journeys.

Arjun Kaur Mittal: Tackling period poverty across borders

At just 16, Arjun Kaur Mittal, Head Girl at North London Collegiate School Dubai, has emerged as a formidable voice in global health and gender equity. Her non-profit Her Needs, founded in 2024, has distributed over 22,000 reusable sanitary pads and supported 43 schools in Tanzania. Her advocacy earned her an invitation to the Tanzanian Parliament to push for the removal of the tampon tax. Her broader work includes Fursa for Women, a programme empowering 50 mother-entrepreneurs through financial literacy and business training. A national-level triathlete and a survivor of anorexia nervosa, Arjun also uses sport as a platform for advocacy, leading football camps and coaching in Arusha.Arjun’s research links menstrual health access to school attendance and economic growth, and she is collaborating with the University of Dar es Salaam to study the issue. If awarded the prize, she plans to expand Her Needs across Africa, introduce solar-powered pad production, and launch mobile health clinics and scholarship programmes for girls.

Dalia Zidan: Empowering underserved youth through STEM

Dalia Zidan, a first-generation Palestinian student living in the UAE, is changing the face of STEM education. From building an AI-powered mental health app that won international acclaim, to founding her school’s first tech club, AMTech, Dalia is driven by a desire to make tech education accessible. As Executive Director of the International Youth Science Journal (IYSJ), she leads a team spanning six continents and 12 countries. Under her leadership, the journal has published 145+ articles and launched a podcast, writing workshops, and its first global chapter in Ghana.A self-taught programmer and published author, Dalia earned top AP scores and is recognised as a World Science Scholar. If awarded the Global Student Prize, she plans to fund STEM resources for under-resourced students in the UAE, expand AMTech, and launch global science competitions through IYSJ.

Wiktoria Blazik: Using debate to build civic confidence

Wiktoria Blazik, a Polish student based in the UAE, blends academic research, civic engagement, and digital content creation. As captain of the UAE National Debate Team, she led her team to gold at the Paris World Schools Debate Championship. She has won over 50 medals in debate and created public speaking resources, including a mobile app and online curriculum, to support girls and underserved communities. Wiktoria’s research includes a Pioneer Academics paper on the Russo-Ukrainian war’s economic effects, and a Stanford internship exploring EEG applications in healthcare accessibility. Her EPQ paper on behavioural economics and climate change earned a perfect score and is now a model for her peers.She’s also a content creator, reaching 130,000+ users monthly across her blog and social media channels, where she discusses student mental health and productivity. If she wins, Wiktoria plans to launch a national after-school debate programme in underserved schools to reduce civic inequality and promote social mobility.

What is the prize?

Launched in 2021, the Global Student Prize is open to students aged 16 and above who are enrolled in academic or skills-based programmes. It is a sister award to the $1 million Global Teacher Prize, and aims to spotlight the leadership and innovation of young people shaping a better future. Finalists are selected based on academic performance, community impact, resilience, and global engagement.

The winner of the 2025 Global Student Prize will be announced later this year.