Three UAE pupils shortlisted for $100,000 Global Student Prize
Arjun Kaur Mittal of North London Collegiate School Dubai, Dalia Zidan of Al Mawakeb School Al Garhoud, and Wiktoria Blazik of Jumeirah College have been chosen from nearly 11,000 nominations and applications spanning 148 countries.
The prize, launched in partnership between Chegg.org and the Varkey Foundation, is the student equivalent of the renowned Global Teacher Prize. Now in its fifth year, the award aims to shine a spotlight on young changemakers who are driving transformation in and beyond the classroom.
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This year's shortlisted UAE students are making waves — from advancing menstrual equity and mental health to breaking barriers in STEM and public speaking.
Each finalist brings a powerful story of innovation, leadership, and social impact.
Championing menstrual equity through innovation
Arjun Kaur Mittal is a 17-year-old Tanzanian student and founder of Her Needs, a non-profit that has distributed more than 22,000 reusable sanitary pads to girls in 43 schools and trained more than 50 mother-entrepreneurs in Arusha. Her mission: ensure that menstrual health is seen as a right, not a privilege.
Motivated by years of personal experience navigating inaccessible healthcare, Arjun transformed hardship into innovation. She designed reusable period underwear made from traditional kangas and recycled textile waste, now being produced through a school-based enterprise. She raised $85,000, partnered with NGOs, and was invited to speak in Tanzanian Parliament, where she advocated for tax-free menstrual products.
She is also a national-level triathlete, literacy activist, and student researcher. Her work has impacted more than 22,000 students, connected Tanzanian and UAE schools, and launched multilingual health, hygiene, and sports programmes in collaboration with global partners.
If awarded the Chegg.org Global Student Prize, Arjun plans to scale Her Needs nationally, fund mobile clinics, and sponsor scholarships for rural girls.
Breaking barriers in STEM and mental health
Dalia Zidan is a Palestinian first-generation student and aspiring electrical engineer breaking barriers in STEM.
She developed an AI-powered web app supporting the mental health of first-gen students, winning Empower Hacks out of more than 300 participants. She is also Executive Director of the International Youth Science Journal, impacting over 72,000 global readers with accessible science content and leading operations across more than 12 countries.
As founder of AMTech, her school's first tech club, Dalia created custom AP/SAT resources, coding guides, and a platform to support underserved students. The club has earned over $9,000 (Dh 33,000) in STEM competition prizes and partnered with the UAE government to host Dubai AI Week, engaging kids and teachers in tech education.
Her children's book, Catching Infinity, introduces Maths to young readers and was recognised by RISE and Run The Future as a global innovation finalist. Academically, she is on track to be valedictorian, having completed the most advanced Maths track in school history.
If awarded the Chegg.org Global Student Prize, Dalia will fund tech kits for students, run international STEM contests, and continue making STEM inclusive for all.
Championing equal access to education worldwide
Wiktoria Blazik is a globally recognised youth leader, researcher, and advocate for accessible education and debate. A Rise Global Winner and captain of the UAE National Debate Team, she has represented her country in global championships, winning top prizes in competitions like Paris WSDC and the World Scholar's Cup. Passionate about empowering others, Wiktoria founded a Girls' Public Speaking Club and developed an app, website, and lesson plans to help young people overcome anxiety and build confidence — resources now used by students in 50+ countries.
Her blog on study strategies and mental health has attracted over 12,000 visitors, while her Instagram platform reaches more than 130,000 users monthly.
Wiktoria also conducts academic research, having earned top scholarships from Pioneer Academics and Stanford's SHTEM programme, where she explored climate economics and EEGs in healthcare.
Named a Platinum Jubilee Scholar and incoming Oxford PPE student, she plans to use the Global Student Prize to expand free debate education in underserved public schools. Her goal is to democratise access to critical thinking and public speaking — skills that empower civic leadership and upward mobility.
Nathan Schultz, President and CEO of Chegg, Inc., said, 'I want to extend a huge congratulations to Arjun, Dalia, and Wiktoria. At Chegg, we're proud to support and celebrate the changemakers who aren't just imagining a better world – they're building it. From environmental and social justice to education, health, and youth empowerment, this year's Global Student Prize finalists are tackling the world's most pressing challenges with courage and innovation.'
Sunny Varkey, Founder of the Varkey Foundation, said, ' Congratulations, Arjun, Dalia, and Wiktoria. Your stories are a powerful reminder that education is a catalyst for solving global challenges. At a time when the world is changing rapidly, investing in education has never been more vital. It's how we prepare the next generation to lead with purpose, think boldly, and shape a better future.'
The award
Applications and nominations for this year's Global Student Prize opened on Wednesday, February 19, and closed on Sunday, April 27. Students are being assessed on their academic achievement, impact on their peers, how they make a difference in their communities and beyond, overcome odds to achieve, demonstrate creativity and innovation, and operate as global citizens. The prize is open to all students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or skills programme. Part-time students as well as students enrolled in online courses are also eligible for the prize.
The top 10 finalists of the Global Student Prize are expected to be announced in August this year. The winner, expected to be announced later in the year, will be chosen from the top 10 finalists by the Global Student Prize Academy, made up of prominent individuals.
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