UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the UAE will leverage AI and technology for a more innovative future for the UAE, on the International Day of Education.
Posting on X, the UAE President said: “On International Day of Education, we renew our commitment to the ongoing enhancement of education in the UAE. By fostering lifelong learning, promoting our values and identity, and leveraging the responsible use of AI and technology, we aim to build a stronger, more innovative future for our nation and our people.”
UAE education initiatives in Lebanon
The UAE, through Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives’ Digital School, has launched a project to support the continuity of education in Lebanon, benefiting 40,000 students in its first phase. This initiative offers both digital learning solutions and support for education centres in displacement camps.
Rapid expansion of the Digital School initiative
Since its inception in 2020, the Digital School has expanded rapidly, reaching over 160,000 students across 13 countries. The platform has trained more than 2,500 digital teachers and offers content in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.
Strategic framework for higher education
A significant milestone was the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration at the 19th Conference of Arab Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, hosted by the UAE. The Declaration outlined a strategic framework for advancing higher education and research in the Arab region, steressing the need for graduates equipped with skills to meet the demands of the evolving job market.
Commitment to foreign aid in education
Education has been a cornerstone of the UAE’s foreign aid. Since 2018, the nation has contributed $200 million to the Global Partnership for Education to support educational programmes in developing countries until 2025.
Read more: UAE education system to be restructured
Emirati Day for Education to celebrate contributions
In September 2024, the UAE President announced that February 28 has been designated as Emirati Day for Education, to be observed annually. This day further celebrates the vital role that education plays in the UAE’s development and progress and its contribution to the growth of society and the nation’s cultural renaissance.
Sheikh Mohamed emphasized that since its founding, the UAE has recognized the vital importance of education, placing it at the heart of its development plans. He also added that education has always been a driving force behind the nation’s progress and cultural advancement.
التعليم عماد التنمية وروح التقدم وأساس البناء، وهذا ما تؤمن به دولة الإمارات وتسير عليه وتخطط من خلاله لحاضرها ومستقبلها. وتقديراً للموقع المحوري للتعليم في رؤيتنا التنموية وامتناناً ووفاءً لكل القائمين على المنظومة التعليمية، نعتمد يوم الثامن والعشرين من فبراير من كل عام "اليوم…
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) September 30, 2024
Significance of Emirati Day for Education
The Emirati Day for Education recognizes the crucial role of education in the UAE’s development vision and appreciates everyone contributing to the nation’s education system. This date is historically significant since it marks the graduation of the first group of teachers from the United Arab Emirates University in 1982. The UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, along with the Rulers of the Emirates, attended the graduation ceremony.
