Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences

Dubai, UAE, September 15, 2025: The World Giftedness Centre, affiliated with the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, has concluded its specialized digital workshop titled “Educating Twice-Exceptional Learners: Connecting Paradigms.” The workshop was organized as part of the Centre’s professional development program and attracted more than 200 educators, researchers, and specialists from around the world.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr Mariam Al Ghawi, Director of Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Giftedness and Innovation, said: “This workshop on twice-exceptional learners represents an important milestone within the World Giftedness Centre’s programs. We are committed to delivering high-quality academic and educational content grounded in the latest theories and practices for supporting students with exceptional abilities who also face learning challenges. This initiative reflects our dedication to building an inclusive educational ecosystem that enhances the quality of specialized services for this vital group, while also empowering educators to identify and engage with them effectively and professionally.”

The workshop was delivered by Dr. Claire E. Hughes, an international expert in twice-exceptional education, who presented the “Trellis and Blossom” educational model. This model integrates structural support with creative growth, emphasizing personalization and adaptive technologies. The workshop also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in creating inclusive learning environments that are responsive to the needs of twice-exceptional students.

Sessions focused on students who demonstrate advanced intellectual abilities and talents while also facing educational or behavioral challenges requiring precise interventions. These included multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and individualized learning pathways designed to enhance performance and remove psychological and cognitive barriers.

Participants discussed practical strategies for implementation across diverse educational settings. The workshop generated rich interaction, raising questions on inclusion policies, educational equity, ethics of adaptive assessment, and the development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that balance both strengths and challenges.

This workshop reflects the Foundation’s ongoing efforts to equip educators with the skills needed to support some of the most complex learner groups within educational systems, while providing professional learning opportunities aligned with international standards and research-based best practices in gifted and special education.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 12 September 2025:  Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences participated in the second edition of the Dubai Medical Research Forum (DMRF 2025), organized by Dubai Health Authority on September 12–13 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. The event brought together leading researchers, healthcare executives, and policymakers from the UAE and abroad.

At its dedicated pavilion within the accompanying exhibition, the Foundation showcased key medical initiatives and community-focused research programs, with particular emphasis on its medical awards, studies, and scientific contributions. Dr. Salama Al Muhairi, Director of Medical Excellence at Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, also joined a panel discussion where she highlighted the Foundation’s efforts to promote excellence in medical education and research, underscoring initiatives designed to foster an innovative knowledge environment that enhances the quality of educational and healthcare services.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Salama Al Muhairi, Director of the Medical Excellence Department at Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, said: “This forum represents a vital strategic platform to showcase best practices, address shared challenges, and activate research partnerships among leading institutions regionally and internationally. At the Foundation, we believe that excellence in healthcare begins with a deep understanding of community needs and is realized through research that shapes flexible, world-class health policies. Our participation this year reaffirms our commitment to strengthening a culture of continuous learning and expanding collaboration with decision-makers, academics, and researchers in pursuit of a healthcare system that is more efficient, equitable, and innovative.”

The forum reflects growing momentum toward building a modern, integrated research ecosystem founded on ethical standards and smart regulations, aligned with the UAE’s vision to lead the healthcare sector regionally and globally. High-level discussions are expected to focus on patient-centered innovation, research governance, and stronger integration between healthcare institutions, universities, and scientific centers.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 8 September 2025:  Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have announced the opening of nominations for the 2025–2026 cycle of the UNESCO–Hamdan Prize for Teacher Development. The Prize, awarded every two years, recognizes innovative global practices that improve the quality of teaching and enhance teacher performance.

His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of Hamdan Foundation, stated that the Prize continues to honor outstanding educators from across different regions of the world. He noted that the Prize has, over its previous cycles, successfully established itself as a global platform for the exchange of effective teaching practices and the promotion of educational innovation.

"Investing in teachers is an investment in the future, as they are the driving force behind the development of societies," Dr. Al Suwaidi said. "Past editions have shown that this Prize is not only a recognition of excellence, but also a catalyst for schools and educators to continuously develop teaching methods and design new solutions to global educational challenges. Through our partnership with UNESCO, we aim to build a growing international network of educators, experts, and institutions that advance the quality of education and reinforce its role in achieving sustainable development. At the Hamdan Foundation, we are committed to empowering teachers with the resources and skills they need to fulfill their mission effectively, ensuring a positive impact on future generations."

His Excellency further emphasized that the Prize reflects the UAE’s firm commitment to supporting education and teachers at the international level, underscoring that investing in teacher development is key to building more resilient and effective education systems. This, he said, is fully aligned with the Foundation’s vision of advancing educational excellence and highlighting the pivotal role of teachers in sustainable development.

Winners of the Prize are selected by an independent International Jury composed of five distinguished education experts appointed by the Director-General of UNESCO, with careful consideration to ensure representation across different global regions.

Hamdan Foundation and UNESCO called on educational and research institutions, as well as relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations, to submit nominations through the Prize’s online platform before the deadline of 31 October 2025 (midnight, Paris time).

The three laureates will be honored at an official ceremony to be held on World Teachers’ Day, 5 October 2026, at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.

Established in 2008 with the generous support of the Hamdan Foundation, the UNESCO–Hamdan Prize contributes to UNESCO’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education, one of the organization’s global priorities. The Prize carries a total value of US$300,000, divided equally among the three winners, each of whom also receives an international certificate of recognition.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 13, 2025:  As part of its ongoing efforts, Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences announced the launch of the second phase of the evaluation process for the Local Awards. This phase includes conducting personal interviews with candidates across several award categories, scheduled for Saturday, September 13, at the Foundation’s headquarters, under the supervision of accredited judging panels and in line with a structured timetable.

 

Dr. Ali Al Kaabi, General Coordinator and Head of the Arbitration Committees, stated that this stage represents a pivotal step in the assessment process, as it enables the panels to directly engage with candidates and evaluate their achievements comprehensively. Dr. Al Kaabi stressed the committees’ commitment to applying the highest standards of accuracy and impartiality, ensuring credibility of the results and upholding the principle of equal opportunity. He also highlighted that, through such efforts, the Foundation continues to embed a culture of excellence and innovation within the educational community.

 

This phase covers 44 candidates for the Distinguished Student Award at the local level, in addition to two candidates for the Distinguished Undergraduate University Student Award, as well as four candidates competing for the Distinguished Educator Award at the local level. These interviews will be conducted according to comprehensive evaluation criteria that take into account academic merit, personal skills, and community contributions.

 

The Foundation explained that the evaluation process will continue throughout September, encompassing further personal interviews and field visits for other categories within both the local and Gulf awards. The final results will be announced in November, ahead of the official award ceremony.

 

This stage comes as part of the Foundation’s sustained efforts to foster an inspiring educational environment, recognize talent and distinction across various fields of education, and advance its mission of supporting and developing education at both the local and regional levels.

 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 31 August 2025: Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences organized an orientation session for students admitted to the seventh cohort of The Master of Educational Innovation Program. The event, held at the Foundation’s headquarters in Dubai, was conducted in collaboration with the College of Education at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and attended by representatives from both institutions, along with the new students.

The orientation forms part of the Foundation’s efforts to empower national educational talent by equipping them with advanced knowledge and innovative methodologies that support sustainable educational development in the UAE and align with global best practices in preparing future leaders in education.

Her Excellency Khawla Ahmed Bahlooq, Assistant Executive Director of the Excellence Sector, emphasized the program’s role in strengthening the capacities of teachers and education professionals, preparing them to assume effective leadership positions within the educational system. She also commended the strategic partnership with UAE University, noting its vital contribution to supporting academic programs and enriching educational content.

 

Her Excellency stated: “The Master of Educational Innovation Program embodies the Foundation’s vision of fostering excellence and creating a distinguished academic environment that equips the education system to meet future challenges. At the Hamdan Foundation, we believe that human development is the cornerstone of progress, and that quality education is the pathway to achieving both institutional and societal excellence.”

Her Excellency emphasized that the program plays a vital role in enhancing educational leadership and promoting a culture of innovation in teaching, particularly in schools and universities. She noted that the continuity and growing interest in the program reaffirm the value of innovation in educational awareness and strengthen the sector’s capacity to adapt to evolving needs. She also wished the students a successful academic journey and fulfilling professional careers.

Professor Ahmed Qabalan, Program Coordinator and faculty member at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education at UAEU, provided a detailed overview of the program structure. Spanning 18 months and delivered through a flexible weekend schedule, the program focuses on two core areas: innovation in teaching and innovation in school leadership. It also covers key themes such as design thinking, innovative educational leadership, and the integration of technology in education.

Since its launch in 2019, The Master of Educational Innovation Program has become one of the leading programs for advancing teaching and leadership skills. It aims to drive meaningful change in the education system by empowering teachers and school leaders to adopt innovative approaches in instruction and management. The curriculum includes applied projects to ensure participants can translate learning into practice within their professional contexts.

For the academic year 2025–2026, 22 teachers and education leaders have joined the seventh cohort, including 10 who received scholarships from the Foundation as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting national educational talent. With this intake, the total number of students enrolled in the program has reached 130, of whom 72 have benefited from full scholarships provided by the Foundation.

 

The Foundation also shared data on the previous six cohorts, which together included 108 participants, reflecting the steady expansion of the program and the increasing demand for its specialized academic offering tailored to the needs of the education sector.

Through this program, the Foundation continues to consolidate its role as a key academic platform that supports quality educational outcomes and contributes to achieving the UAE’s national vision for educational excellence, underpinned by its strong strategic partnership with United Arab Emirates University.

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.