24 Emirati Leaders Celebrated By UAE Ministry Of Education For Educational Excellence

The Ministry of Education (MoE) recently celebrated 24 young Emirati leaders through its National Leadership Academy for Higher Education programme. This initiative aims to empower Emirati leaders within the education sector.

Launched in October last year, the programme is part of the MoE’s continuous efforts to support and qualify Emirati talents in education. The honouring ceremony took place at Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre and was attended by Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education, Dr. Mohammad Al Mualla, Under-Secretary for Higher Education Academic Affairs at the MoE, senior officials from the MoE, graduates from the academy’s first batch, and leaders of higher education institutions.

Dr. Ahmad Al Falasi congratulated the graduates in his speech, emphasising this as a crucial step in their journey toward continuous learning, creativity and innovation. He highlighted their role in supporting society by elevating the UAE’s higher education sector and enhancing its competitiveness locally, regionally and internationally.

Dr. Al Falasi stated, "We at the Ministry of Education are dedicated to developing Emirati talent in education, as demonstrated by the National Leadership Academy for Higher Education. Today, we have successfully empowered creative energies and built leaders equipped with the knowledge, skills and innovative thinking needed to excel in academic and administrative roles in public higher education, which aligns with the government's national priorities. The programme also prepares graduates to contribute to a pioneering, successful and proactive future education system, supporting the UAE's development vision."

The programme included three phases: direct engagement with participants through practical lectures, interactive workshops and training activities; a comprehensive 360 assessment for individual upskilling; and evaluating and launching development projects for the higher education sector.

The first phase involved direct engagement with participants through practical lectures, interactive workshops and training activities aimed at developing leadership awareness and essential skills for leaders in higher education.

The second phase included a comprehensive 360 assessment to contribute to upskilling young leaders individually. Each participant was assigned a mentor with periodic follow-ups to develop and implement projects while receiving ongoing support from the MoE and advisory bodies sponsoring the projects.

Project Development

The third phase focused on evaluating and launching development projects for the higher education sector. During the event, an introductory video about the National Leadership Academy for Higher Education was shown. It explained its objectives, activities and phases that participants went through.

The video also highlighted five projects developed by young leaders. Each project was created by a different group to enhance the UAE's higher education system. Several of these projects were executed with funding and supervision from the MoE.

Honouring Graduates

The first batch of graduates from this programme included Dr. Sameera Al Mulla, Dr. Hassan Al Hashimi, Dr. Fatma Kalbat, Hoda Al-Tamimi, Nada Buftaim from MoE; Professor Juma Al Kaabi and Alyaziyah Al Dhaheri from United Arab Emirates University; Mariam Al Hammadi from Emirates College for Advanced Education; Eisa Al Shamsi and Reem Al Hashemi from University of Sharjah; Asma Al Shamsi from Ajman University; Dr. Wafa Zoghbor, Dr. Fatima Taher and Dr. Muna AlSeeni from Zayed University; Prof. Habiba Al Safar and Prof. Ali Almansoori from Khalifa University; Dr. Fahad Alsaadi and Dr. Meera Al Marri from Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University; Dr. Lamia AlHajri, Jasim Alhammadi, Maryam Al Hafeet from Higher Colleges of Technology; Mohammed Alrayssi from Abu Dhabi Polytechnic; Samya Al Saedi and Mariam Al Balooshi from Rabdan Academy.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in empowering Emirati talents within higher education while aligning with national priorities.

With inputs from WAM