Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation Conducts Workshop On Hamdan–EFQM Global Educational Award For Schools

The Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences recently hosted a workshop in Dubai. This event introduced the Hamdan–EFQM Global Educational Award, attracting school representatives from the UAE and GCC countries. The award aims to recognise excellence in educational practices, honouring both institutions and individuals who contribute to improving educational quality.

Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Foundation, highlighted the importance of this initiative. He stated, "This award reflects the Foundation’s deep commitment to recognizing excellence in educational practices and honoring both institutional and individual efforts that contribute to the advancement of educational quality. We believe that schools serve as the foundational pillar for building a sustainable knowledge-based society. Through this award, we aim to accelerate qualitative transformation in education systems, in line with the UAE’s vision for institutional excellence and quality. This initiative is part of our ongoing efforts to cultivate a culture of distinction and embed quality systems within the education sector."

The Hamdan–EFQM Global Educational Award is a strategic initiative developed with EFQM. It is unique globally for assessing educational institutions using an evaluation model aligned with international standards. The award is based on the Hamdan Educational Model, which was co-developed by global education experts and EFQM.

This model focuses on enhancing pedagogical and administrative performance, improving learning outcomes, and sharing best practices among participating schools. The award targets outstanding schools in the UAE and GCC region, encouraging them to strive for excellence.

The award process involves a thorough review of applications submitted via EFQM’s digital platform AssessBase. This is followed by orientation sessions and site visits conducted by specialised assessment teams. Detailed feedback reports are then issued, providing holistic analysis and practical recommendations for continuous improvement.

Dr. Rashid Al Reyami led the workshop as a certified trainer and evaluator. He provided an overview of the award’s objectives, structure, eligibility criteria, and application process. A discussion session allowed participants to ask questions about the practical aspects of the award.

Encouraging Participation

The workshop concluded with an invitation for eligible schools to apply for the award. Schools were encouraged to utilise resources and expertise offered by the Foundation. Participation in this award fosters innovation and excellence while reinforcing education as a key pillar of sustainable development.

This initiative underscores the Foundation's dedication to advancing educational quality through recognition and support of exemplary practices within schools across the region.

With inputs from WAM