Education: The Gateway to the Future

Since its formation, the UAE has exerted great efforts in developing the various institutions of its education sector. The aim has been to establish an integrated education system that serves national strategic objectives and meets the requirements of the modern world, to build knowledgeable Emirati generations that give back to society and are rooted in the UAE’s rich heritage, culture, and civilization.

Our Founding Father, HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, once said “Books are the vessels of science, civilization, culture, knowledge, and the arts. The success of nations is measured not only by their material wealth, but also by their cultural authenticity. The greatest investment lies in building generations of educated and knowledgeable youth.” HH Sheikh Zayed has prioritized education in his thinking and approach, having allocated all resources toward developing education such as providing government support and encouraging his nation to pursue knowledge. To develop the education system in the UAE, HH Sheikh Zayed even joined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in April 1972, shortly after the UAE was established, to benefit from international expertise.

The education sector in the UAE, including schools and universities, has entered a new phase based on innovation and creative thinking, to create an effective student-centered learning environment. Schools have become a place to inspire ideas and stimulate critical thinking. Classrooms have transformed into factories that produce creativity and are far removed from indoctrination and traditional approaches. These modern methods help lead our students globally and develop a base of national cadres capable of competing at the highest international standards. 

Education has always been our leaders and society’s highest priority. To develop the cultured and tolerant Emirati, the state has taken a number of strategic initiatives and programs that carry a unified vision in schools across the country.

To upgrade and enhance education across the country, for example, the unification of the national education system was adopted last year. The new standardized education system meets the objectives of the National Agenda and introduces the “Emirati School Model,” which provides a leading model of education, a rich curriculum, important values, and excellent teaching methods. This high-quality modern education falls in line with the ambitions of the leadership and its visions.

To further improve national education standards, the Teacher Licensing System was launched. The licensing, which will become a requirement for teaching in the UAE, aims at attracting competent teaching professionals and keeping pace with current trends in the global education sector.

Education in the UAE undergoes continuous modernization to keep abreast of current developments around the world. The UAE introduced moral education into school’s curriculum, building on the cultural values shared across the country. The new curriculum aims at instilling in students values of community spirit, fairness, acceptance of others, and tolerance, based on best common practices around the world. Moral education also allows students to understand and acknowledge cultural diversity in the UAE, ultimately creating a cohesive society that is inclusive of all.

Interacting with students and engaging them in various local and international platforms and forums is vital to creating fruitful dialogue between students, officials, decision makers, and education and vocation experts. This leads to a knowledgeable generation that is aware of modern requirements and market trends. Mohamed bin Zayed Majlis for Future Generations, for instance, has become an important initiative that hosts 3,000 Emirati university students. In a growing knowledge-based society, the Majlis plays a significant role in helping Emirati students think about new career options available to them, in developing their skills and talents, and in materializing their ideas and visions that will contribute to the future of the country.

Education in the UAE is developing alongside the growth of advanced skills, which are our top priorities in light of rapid technological changes such as automation, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technology. The UAE seeks to become a leader in the technological field by investing its expertise and capabilities, and equipping the youth with the skills of the future.