Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 17, 2025:  Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences today (Sunday, 17 August 2025) launched the opening session for the evaluation of its local and Gulf awards for the 2025 cycle, with the participation of judging panels and a distinguished group of experts and educators. The initiative aims to ensure a rigorous and transparent assessment process that reflects the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to supporting excellence in education.

Dr. Ali Al Kaabi, General Coordinator and Head of the Arbitration Committees, emphasized the Foundation's commitment to upholding international best practices in the arbitration process, stating: “The evaluation process is a pivotal stage in the journey of the awards. We rely on scientific foundations and objective criteria to select models that provide real added value to the educational sector. We are not only looking for academic excellence, but also for initiatives that make a tangible positive impact in their educational environments and promote a culture of innovation and quality. The significance of these awards lies in their ability to inspire individuals and institutions to adopt best practices and improve performance, thereby contributing to raising the quality of education in our communities.”

Dr. Al Kaabi further commented: "This stage gives us the opportunity to explore diverse and innovative experiences from different educational settings, fostering knowledge exchange among participants and winners, and helping to build a regional network of pioneers in educational excellence. We believe that these efforts, aligned with the vision of the Foundation, represent a genuine investment in human capital and in nurturing the talents that will lead the future of education in the region."

The 2025 cycle witnessed wide participation, with a total of 288 nominations across the local and Gulf levels. At the local level, the Foundation received 189 nominations distributed across the following categories: Distinguished Student Award (122), Local Distinguished Teacher Award (30), Local Distinguished Educator Award (20), Distinguished Undergraduate University Student Award (7), Local Distinguished School Award (8), and Education Supporting Institutions (2). At the Gulf level, there were 105 nominations, including 31 in the Distinguished Student Award category (academic and non-academic), 30 in the Distinguished Teacher Award, 16 in the Distinguished Educator Award, and 28 in the Distinguished School Award.

This year’s cycle also recorded notable growth compared to last year, with broader participation across categories and a higher level of competitiveness. This reflects the increasing interest of individuals and educational institutions in showcasing best practices and achievements in the field of education. The judging committees—comprising leading experts in various educational fields—will evaluate the entries based on rigorous methodologies that ensure transparency and fairness, leading to the selection of winners who will be honored at a special ceremony to be held later this year.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, August 18, 2025:  Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences announced the launch of the evaluation process for the Hamdan–ALECSO Award for Distinguished Educational Research in its 2025 cycle. The award is one of the Arab world’s leading honors dedicated to recognizing innovative educational research that contributes to advancing the learning process and enhancing the quality of its outcomes.

The jury committee held its official meeting at the Foundation’s headquarters on Sunday, 17 August 2025, to review and evaluate the submitted works and monitor the progress of the assessment process, ensuring adherence to the highest standards of integrity and scientific rigor.

Dr. Mohammed Al Housani, Chairman of  Hamdan–ALECSO Award for Distinguished Educational Research, stated, “The award continues to consolidate its position as a leading platform for supporting educational research. The remarkable diversity of research topics this year reflects a growing awareness of the importance of scientific research as a fundamental tool for advancing education. The jury meeting represents a pivotal stage in the award’s journey, ensuring that the most deserving research works are recognized and honored based on transparent and objective criteria.”

This cycle witnessed strong interest, with 116 research papers submitted from 13 Arab countries, underscoring the award’s distinguished regional standing and its role in stimulating educational research activity across the Arab world. The submission period extended from 6 January to 15 July 2025, with research topics covering areas such as the development of teaching methodologies, the integration of modern technologies in education, addressing field challenges, and providing practical, evidence-based solutions.

The award was launched in 2003 under the title “Best Applied Local Research” to support the quality of education in the UAE. In 2007, it expanded to include Arab countries, and in 2021, the Foundation entered a strategic partnership with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) to unify efforts in promoting distinguished educational research, in line with ALECSO’s mission to advance education, culture, and science across the Arab world.

The award targets a wide range of professionals in the education sector, including teachers, school principals, supervisors, academics, social and psychological specialists, and educational administrators, offering them a platform for competition and for contributing to impactful work that enriches the education sector. Through a rigorous evaluation process led by specialized experts, the award seeks to identify research that provides genuine added value and translates ideas into applicable practices within Arab educational environments.

The winners will be announced and honored at the Foundation’s annual ceremony, held under the patronage and in the presence of the Foundation’s Supreme President, as part of its commitment to supporting educational excellence and reinforcing the role of scientific research in advancing education in the Arab world. The Foundation will also accompany the jury meeting with media coverage through its digital platforms and various media outlets to keep the public informed about the evaluation process and the atmosphere of the committee’s work.

Pioneering Research in Engineering, Physics, Cybersecurity, and Nuclear Energy.

Dubai, UAE, August 13, 2025: Students from the Hamdan Centre for Giftedness and Innovation, part of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, have concluded their participation in the Pre-University Program at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, achieving outstanding results and receiving certificates of excellence across multiple fields of academic research. The program, held from 27 July to 9 August 2025, brought together more than 250 students from 15 countries, reflecting the ability of Emirati students to excel in prestigious international academic environments.

Dr. Mariam Al Ghawi, Director of Hamdan Centre for Giftedness and Innovation, said: "We are proud of the exceptional performance of our students, which reaffirms their ability to innovate and excel in the most distinguished global academic settings. These achievements are the result of a clear vision and an integrated strategy for nurturing talent and refining research and scientific skills. Their outstanding participation at a renowned institution like Cambridge reflects the high quality of academic preparation we provide, their ability to engage in advanced scientific discussions, and their capacity to present research characterized by depth and innovation. We believe that investing in young minds is an investment in the nation’s future, and that these talents will be capable of leading research and scientific projects that contribute to the UAE’s progress and strengthen its global standing in science and technology."

Student Humaid Al Hooli was named Best Overall Student across all program cohorts for his work in the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering course. His extensive research focused on the Chernobyl disaster, covering its historical background, technical causes, and environmental and human impacts, while highlighting its role in reshaping global nuclear safety regulations and contributing to the development of safer operational systems for nuclear power plants.

Student Khalid Al Emadi secured first place in the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering course with research on advanced applications of artificial intelligence in the aviation sector, focusing on real-time aircraft data analysis for early fault detection, enhancing predictive maintenance procedures, and improving air traffic monitoring systems to raise safety standards and reduce accidents.

Student Hanadi Darwish earned first place in Physics with a comprehensive research project on antimatter, exploring the theoretical foundations of its formation, possibilities for industrial-scale production in high-energy laboratories, associated technical challenges in storage and utilization, and potential future applications in energy and medicine.

Student Sayed Mansour Al Hashemi participated in the Cybersecurity and Computer Science course, presenting an analytical study on password security. His research provided an in-depth review of common hacking techniques and vulnerabilities in traditional authentication systems, proposing innovative solutions such as multi-factor authentication and advanced encryption methods to strengthen data protection against increasing digital threats.

This achievement aligns with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation’s vision to support talented students and prepare them to compete globally, reaffirming the UAE’s position as a leading hub for fostering creativity and innovation. The Centre continues to enhance its academic and training programs to expand opportunities for participation in international scientific events, empowering students to lead pioneering projects that contribute to building a knowledge-based future.

Hamdan Centre for Giftedness and Innovation is one of the Foundation’s flagship initiatives, dedicated to identifying and nurturing gifted students, offering advanced educational and training programs, and creating opportunities for participation in international academic events to develop their scientific and practical abilities, preparing them to become future leaders across diverse fields.

Dubai, UAE, August 12, 2025:

Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences participated in the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children Conference (WCGTC 2025), held in Braga, Portugal, from 29 July to 2 August 2025. The event brought together a distinguished gathering of experts, academics, and specialists in giftedness and excellence from around the world.

Dr Mariam Al Ghawi, Director of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Giftedness and Innovation and head of the delegation, said: “Our participation in the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children Conference is an important opportunity to present our evidence-based expertise and practices to leading global experts, and to exchange experiences with pioneering institutions in the field of talent development. Being present at this international forum reflects the Foundation’s commitment to advancing scientific research and developing programs that meet the needs of gifted students, while aligning our efforts with national and international priorities in innovation and sustainable development. We believe that investing in gifted individuals is an investment in a more prosperous future, and that global partnerships are a key pillar in maximizing the positive impact of our programs.”

In the research track, Dr. Zulaikha Mohammed presented a paper titled “Mentoring through Self-Learning: An Analysis Through Mentee’s Feedback on Training Units”, which examined the outcomes of the Global Mentorship Program in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine). The initiative connects gifted students with specialized experts in their respective fields. The study highlighted the importance of collecting participant feedback to enhance content, design new training modules, and provide targeted support, thereby improving the effectiveness and relevance of digital self-learning to meet students’ needs.

In the applied track, Dr Mariam Al Ghawi delivered a session titled “Cultivating Gifted Students at the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Giftedness and Innovation”, showcasing the Centre’s integrated model for identifying and empowering gifted students. The model encompasses talent discovery, nurturing, personal mentorship, advanced STEM pathways, and opportunities for international collaboration with leading academic and industrial institutions. The presentation emphasized 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership, aligning services with national and global priorities in sustainable development and innovation, and sharing success stories that illustrate how scientific research can be linked to educational policy and practice to deliver high-quality, diverse services.

Together, the two sessions underscored the integration between research and practice, where program evaluations generate actionable evidence, and applied frameworks translate that evidence into sustainable educational outcomes. This approach reflects the Foundation’s role in offering a pioneering model that can be adopted by educational centers and institutions seeking to enhance their talent development services.

Dubai, UAE, August 6, 2025:

Students from Hamdan Centre for Giftedness and Innovation, part of Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, are taking part this summer in the Pre-University Program at the University of Cambridge – Fitzwilliam College, running from 27 July to 9 August 2025. The initiative reflects the foundation’s commitment to empowering gifted students by providing global learning experiences that enhance their academic excellence and open new pathways for scientific creativity.

The program offers participants exposure to a prestigious academic environment that combines scientific knowledge with life skills. Students engage in intensive lectures and hands-on workshops across diverse fields, including engineering, chemistry, medicine, and the humanities, alongside enrichment activities designed to foster personal development, communication, and teamwork skills in a multicultural setting.

Dr Mariam Al Ghawi, Director of Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Giftedness and Innovation, said: “Through this participation, we aim to provide our students with an exceptional academic experience at one of the world’s most renowned universities. This journey not only broadens their scientific horizons but also builds their confidence, nurtures a spirit of research and innovation, and prepares them to become ambassadors of knowledge and excellence in both the local and global community.”

Dr. Al Ghawi emphasized that the Center is committed to providing an integrated and supportive learning environment that meets the academic, educational, psychological, and social needs of gifted students. She noted that the Center’s specialized programs are designed to extend learning opportunities beyond the classroom, helping students develop their skills and interests while strengthening their academic presence locally and internationally.

The program brings together over 250 students from 15 countries, underscoring its role as an international academic platform for cultural exchange and scientific collaboration. It also aligns with the vision of Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation to cultivate an innovative generation capable of competing globally and contributing to a knowledge-driven future.

Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE, July 24, 2025: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, has concluded the 2025 Summer Camp for Talent and Innovation, held under the theme "Skills of Tomorrow". The camp welcomed the participation of over 130 gifted and innovative students from across the UAE, offering an advanced educational environment designed to cultivate future skills, foster innovative thinking, and strengthen leadership qualities among participants.

Dr Mariam Al Ghawi, Director of Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Giftedness and Innovation, commented: "We were committed to creating a stimulating learning environment for talented and innovative students during the summer break—one that helped develop their skills, sharpen their capabilities, and provided hands-on exposure to technological and innovation-based concepts in real-world contexts. The level of engagement and creativity we witnessed from students throughout the camp represents a message of hope for a brighter future, one driven by promising national talents equipped with knowledge and a spirit of leadership. We look forward to building on this momentum in future editions by

expanding strategic partnerships and enriching both theoretical and practical content in line with national aspirations. The outcomes achieved this year are a clear reflection of the dedicated efforts of our teams and strategic partners and underscore the Foundation’s success in establishing a comprehensive educational model that links talent with innovation."

Dr. Al Ghawi also expressed appreciation for the valuable partnerships with key supporting entities, notably Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, DP World, Expo Dubai, and Thukher Club, emphasizing that these collaborations form a core pillar of the camp’s impact and sustainability.

Over the course of two weeks, the camp delivered 12 specialized training programs covering advanced knowledge and technology fields, including artificial intelligence, smart cities, the Internet of Things, digital design, and robotics. The agenda also featured hands-on workshops and high-impact field visits, most notably a scientific visit to the Terra Pavilion at Expo Dubai and an exploratory program at Dubai Maritime City—offering participants unique opportunities to engage in experiential learning. In addition, the camp extended its activities to include awareness programs for parents and senior citizens, further reinforcing the initiative’s community and educational dimensions.

The camp reflects the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering gifted students, and to developing human capital in the UAE through comprehensive educational initiatives informed by international best practices. It

also aligns with the Foundation’s vision to establish a sustainable national framework for talent discovery and development, in line with the UAE Centennial 2071 goals of building a competitive knowledge-based economy and an innovation-driven society.

The camp concluded with a special recognition ceremony for participating students, during which certificates of achievement were distributed and student-led projects and innovations were showcased—demonstrating a high level of creative thinking and the ability to apply technical knowledge to develop real-world solutions for future challenges.