Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the State, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa Award for Education, one of the institutions of Zayed’s humanitarian legacy, the award honored the winners of its 18th cycle in 2025. The award granted His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of the Al Ain Region, the “Educational Personality of the Year” award in recognition of his efforts in supporting and developing the educational system locally, regionally, and internationally.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that education is a national priority and holds a central position in the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God preserve him.” His Highness stated that the wise leadership’s directives have brought about qualitative leaps in the UAE's educational system, contributing to enhancing its position in global competitiveness indicators.

His Highness pointed out that the President of the State views education as a fundamental pillar in building generations that are proud of their identity and of the comprehensive developmental achievements of the country, and of the resources and capabilities it provides to create an advanced educational environment that equips students with the sciences and skills necessary to keep pace with rapid scientific and technological changes.

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed noted that the UAE is proud of its achievements in the education sector and continues its efforts to develop the quality of educational outcomes by employing artificial intelligence technologies across all educational stages—from general to higher and technical education—and by promoting a culture of excellence among students, teachers, educational leaders, and strategic partners, in line with the leadership's directive that “education comes first.”

His Highness also extended his sincere congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan on receiving the “Educational Personality of the Year” award in the 18th cycle of the Khalifa Award for Education, affirming that His Highness's significant contributions to supporting and developing education have had a tangible impact both locally and internationally.

His Highness also congratulated the winners of the award, praising the broad participation in this cycle, which attracted participants from more than 48 countries, reflecting the scientific stature of the award and its pioneering role in promoting educational excellence at local, regional, and international levels.

His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Khalifa Award for Education, honored the 48 winners of the 18th cycle.

His Excellency presented the “Educational Personality of the Year” shield to His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, received on his behalf by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Khalid Al Nahyan, Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, His Excellency Zaki Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President and Chancellor of UAE University, His Excellency Ahmed Jumaa Al Zaabi, Advisor to the President, Her Excellency Sara Musallam, Chairwoman of the Department of Education and Knowledge in Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Mohammed bin Jumaa, Minister of Education of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and a number of academic and educational leaders and senior officials.

His Excellency also honored the winners at the national level, including:

General Education - “Distinguished Teacher” Category:

• Shaikha Saeed Rashid Al-Suraidi – Mathematics – Masafi School (Cycle 2 & 3) – Fujairah
• Shamsa Ahmed Suleiman Al-Dhanhani – Arabic – Zayed Educational Complex – Al Badiyah – Fujairah
• Noora Mohammed Abdulrahman Al-Madhani – Arabic – Zayed Educational Complex – Mohamed bin Zayed City – Fujairah
• Dr. Omar Hussein Al-Noursi – English – Tahnoun Bin Mohammed Complex – Al Ain (Institute of Applied Technology)
• Mohammed Al-Sayed Abdulwahab Tarabay – Arabic – Al Quaa School – Al Ain
• Raeda Faisal Shafeeq Saleh – Arabic – Sheikh Zayed Private Academy for Girls – Abu Dhabi
• Firas Ahmed Shawakh – Arabic – Emirates National Schools – Ras Al Khaimah
• Yasmin Marwan Zahra – English – Elite Private School – Abu Dhabi

“Institutional Educational Performance” Category:

• Atika Bint Zaid School – Khorfakkan
• Al-Tamouh School (Cycle 1, 2, 3) – Al Ain
• Mohammed bin Khalid Primary School – Al Ain
• Khalifa City School – Abu Dhabi

People of Determination – “Individual” Category:

• Dr. Khaled Mohammed Barakat Ali Hassan – Autism Specialist – “Hahm Center for Inclusive Education Services”

“Institutions and Centers” Category:

• Abu Dhabi Autism Center – Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination

Education and Community Service – “Institutions” Category:

• Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan Cultural Center – for the project “Green Innovation Curriculum for a Sustainable Environment”

Distinguished Emirati Family:

• Family of Khalil Sahakoh Sultan Al-Dhahouri
• Family of Abdullah Mohammed Salem Al-Naqbi
• Family of Ahmed Salem Suleiman Al-Kaabi

Arabic Language Teaching Innovation – “Distinguished Teacher” Category:

• Mahra Masoud Quraish Al-Nuaimi – Al-Hosn School – Abu Dhabi

“Distinguished University Professor in Arabic Teaching” Category:

• Dr. Saif Al-Din Taha Salem Al-Fuqara – University of Sharjah

Higher Education – “Distinguished University Professor” Category:

• Prof. Fathallah Ali Fathallah Rayhan – UAE University
• Prof. Jamal Al-Din Abu Bakr Abdullah – American University of Sharjah
• Prof. Dhafar Saad Naddar Sher – UAE University
• Prof. Riyadh Ali Mohammed Eid – UAE University

Innovative Educational Projects and Programs – “Students” Category:

• Student Ahmed Ghandi Mahmoud Al-Qawasmi – American University of Sharjah – Project “3D Green”

Educational Research – “Educational Research” Category:

• Aisha Saeed Al-Humaidi Al-Ghafli – Primary Researcher
• Farah Joudat Ibrahim Khalid – Secondary Researcher – Ministry of Education – Research Title: “The effectiveness of a self-regulated and interactive learning-based program in enhancing motivation and academic achievement in mathematics for second-cycle students: An experimental study within the framework of ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.”

Educational Writing for Children – “Educational Creativity” Category:

• Musab Youssef Bayrooti – Poetry Collection “Color Your Imagination”

Arab World Winners:
[List continues with similar structure for various countries and award categories...]

Early Childhood Education Global Winners – Research and Studies Category:

• Dr. Alexander Eble – Associate Professor, Economics and Education – Columbia University Teachers College – USA
• Dr. Filippa de Castro – Senior Advisor, Research, Evidence, and Learning – Save the Children USA – Research: “Ten Years of Building Minds: Compiling Evidence on Use and Impact”

Programs, Curricula, and Teaching Methods Category:

• Stéphanie Sill – Planet Infants & Development – France – Project: “Community Daycare Center for Children Under Three in Cambodia for Garment Factory Workers”
• Nasreen Ben Abdeljalil – Director General of the Moroccan Foundation for Early Childhood Education – Project: “The Moroccan Foundation for the Promotion of Early Childhood Education”

The ceremony also included...
[A documentary film and closing remarks]

Shama bint Mohammed bin Khalid:
“We are pleased to win the 2025 Khalifa Award for Education.”
She emphasized the importance of the awarded project “Green Innovation for a Sustainable Environment” and its aim to instill sustainability and environmental awareness in students through education.

Published Date: 3/6/2025