Thirty top-performing Emirati students have set sail for Bendigo, a city located less than two hours north of Melbourne, as part of the Abu Dhabi Education Council\'s (ADEC\'s) sixth overseas summer programme. The students are part of an ADEC-approved list of 600 top-performing Emirati pupils in Grades 10 and 11 from across Abu Dhabi emirate as part of the programme, sponsored by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The students have been selected based on their average grades — which must not be less than 80 per cent — conduct and behaviour, and participation in regular school activities. The rest of the 600 students have travelled to the US, Canada, UK, New Zealand and Ireland during the four-week summer programme, where they will be studying English, Mathematics and Science, and also work on their leadership and teamwork skills. Article continues below Success and growth \"The programme started with 60 boys and girls, accompanied by six supervisors. Due to the success of this experience right from its beginning, the opportunity was extended to include a larger number of participants, who will all be accompanied by 60 supervisors of both genders,\" said Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, ADEC Director General. Departures for this year\'s programme had been scheduled between June 30 and yesterday, with the return trips on July 30. Male students will reside with carefully selected host families to become acquainedt with each country\'s culture.