6000 +
Active Users
in 6 Months
26000
Platform Reach
in Over 9 Countries
750 +
Teacher Profiles
Created
450
Stakeholders Contributed
to Design
THE CHALLENGE
In a rapidly evolving society like the UAE, where a significant expatriate population continually reshapes the cultural landscape, one of the most pressing challenges has been ensuring that younger generations remain meaningfully connected to their Emirati heritage. While traditional school curricula provide a solid foundation in Emirati culture, there was a growing need for a platform that could offer educators new ways to engage learners—approaches that feel personal, relevant, and lasting within such a diverse community.
ATÖLYE was invited to design a learning experience that moved beyond conventional heritage education. The brief called for a flexible, immersive platform that could resonate across age groups and backgrounds—one that would not only raise awareness of local traditions but also spark curiosity, emotional connection, and ultimately, a sense of shared responsibility for cultural preservation.
THE TRANSFORMATION APPROACH
In close collaboration with SYPartners, ATÖLYE reimagined how students connect with Emirati culture—crafting a dynamic platform that blends real-world exploration, project-based learning, and a seamless digital interface. Over two and a half years, we designed and developed an experience that makes cultural heritage not just visible, but vividly felt.
By embedding gamified storytelling and interactive pathways, the platform invites students into an active relationship with UAE’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Stories and Routes offer multiple points of entry—allowing learners to explore at their own pace, follow their curiosity, and build deep cultural fluency along the way.
Each journey is designed to build both knowledge and critical skills, helping students draw meaningful links between past traditions and present realities. The platform’s flexible structure empowers educators to tailor experiences by age group, subject area, or learning style—ensuring that heritage becomes not a standalone subject, but a living, integrated part of the curriculum.
The ICH platform is already reshaping how heritage is experienced in classrooms across the UAE. Since its launch in September 2024, ich.ae has reached over 6,000 active users in just six months, with a broader footprint spanning 26,000 users across nine countries—a testament to its resonance beyond borders.
More than just a knowledge-sharing tool, the platform was co-created with over 450 educators, students, and cultural experts, ensuring it reflects diverse perspectives and classroom realities. This collaborative foundation has helped make the platform both practical and powerful—allowing learners to engage with Emirati heritage in ways that feel personal, relevant, and exciting.
By interacting with immersive, story-rich content, students are empowered to internalize and embody the essence of Emirati traditions. This goes beyond academic learning—it fosters a genuine sense of pride and cultural ownership, with experiences that extend beyond the classroom and into everyday life.
The platform’s adaptability has also made it a valuable asset for educators: over 750 teacher profiles have been created within the private education sector alone, signaling strong traction in formal learning environments. Whether used for individual exploration or classroom-wide activities, the platform enables educators to nurture a collective sense of cultural preservation—supporting the continuity of traditions for generations to come.
As students navigate these curated journeys, they’re not just acquiring information—they’re becoming active stewards of heritage, building a living bridge between past and future.
THE COMMUNITY LENS
At every stage of its development, the ICH platform was shaped through deep collaboration—with the community, for the community. More than 450 educators, students, and cultural experts contributed their insights, ensuring the platform not only reflected classroom realities but also resonated across cultural contexts.
Guided closely by the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), the platform was intentionally aligned with national strategies for cultural preservation—bridging policy, pedagogy, and public engagement in a shared effort to keep heritage alive. This participatory design approach did more than inform content; it created a sense of shared ownership. Educators became co-designers. Students became cultural storytellers. And institutions became stewards of a living, evolving tradition. The result is not just a digital platform—it’s a growing movement, rooted in relational trust and collective pride.
As the platform continues to grow, it invites every participant to play an active role in shaping and sustaining the UAE’s cultural identity—for today, and for generations to come.
The ICH Platform website is now live!
Project Team
Project team:
Polen Gökbuget (PM), Barbaros Kaptanoğlu, Bengi Turgan, Carla Lemgruber, Deniz Erdoğan, Funda Çevik Dinsdale, Gulen Mine Demiralp, Samar Abu Rahmeh, Waleed Abunora, Zeenat Shafiq, Zeynep Akyul Yavuz,
Community members:
Deen Dabbagh, Lugein Al Fayez, Rasha Hadidi, Oya Metin, Yasemin Çökmez, Bassam Huneidi
Partner Organsiations:
SYPartners
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