ABU DHABI: On January 24, the UAE marked the International Day of Education, reaffirming its unwavering commitment to harnessing the power of education for global transformation initiatives.
Central to this commitment is the Digital School initiative by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives. Launched in 2020, the platform has already reached 160,000 students across 13 countries and trained over 2,500 digital teachers, offering multilingual content in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish. Recently, the UAE expanded the programme to support 40,000 students in Lebanon, focusing on displaced children and offering digital learning solutions in camps.
The UAE’s dedication to advancing education was also highlighted during the 19th Conference of Arab Ministers of Higher Education, where the Abu Dhabi Declaration was adopted. This framework emphasises aligning higher education with evolving job market demands, fostering graduates equipped for the future.
Since 2018, the UAE has pledged $200 million to the Global Partnership for Education, supporting education in developing nations. Additionally, Emirati humanitarian organisations have constructed thousands of schools globally, trained teachers, and offered scholarships, empowering countless students. Notably, between 2012 and 2019, the UAE contributed AED 190.1 million ($51.8 million) to education programmes for Palestinian and Syrian refugees.
Domestically, the UAE is transforming its education sector through initiatives like the new national framework for higher education rankings, a restructured education ministry, and a scholarship-driven funding model for federal institutions. The country also celebrates February 28 as Emirati Day for Education, marking the graduation of its first teachers in 1982.
Education remains the UAE’s cornerstone for sustainable growth and global impact, embodying its vision for a brighter, knowledge-driven future.
