The Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance was established in 1998, and the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences in 1999, at the initiative of the late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Both initiatives aimed to support quality in education and medicine, and nurture talent and innovation. The awards have expanded from local to international, in collaboration with prestigious organizations. In 2018, the Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance was established, and in 2023, the Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences was established, to promote excellence and creativity in these two sectors.
Winning an award is the culmination of great efforts made over a period of time. It expresses appreciation for the hard work and creativity shown by the winners in their various fields, whether scientific, artistic, literary, or athletic. This appreciation by the community or donors enhances the winners’ self-confidence and gives them a strong push to provide more. The award is not just a moment to stand on top, but it also opens new horizons and broader paths for innovation and giving. The winners become role models for others, motivating them to achieve more successes and contribute to improving their communities.
Dubai, UAE, 26 November 2025: Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for
Medical and Educational Sciences celebrated the UAE’s
54th Eid Al Etihad through a comprehensive national event inspired by the
spirit of its previous commemorations and reflecting the values of the Union
and the Emirati identity in their finest form.
The Foundation hosted
the celebration at its headquarters in Dubai, with the attendance of H.E.
Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; H.E. Dr. Khalifa
Al Suwaidi, the Foundation’s Executive Director; as well as a distinguished group
of educational and medical professionals and staff members.
The celebration
embodied the values of loyalty and pride in a nation that has achieved
exceptional milestones throughout its Union journey under the leadership of His
Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE. It also
highlighted the remarkable progress made in the fields of education, science,
medical research, and human development—areas that form the core pillars of the
Foundation’s mission.
His Excellency Humaid
Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said: “On the
occasion of the 54th National Day of the United Arab Emirates, we are honoured
to extend our warmest congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed
Al Nahyan, President of the UAE; to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; to
Their Highnesses, Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates;
and to the Crown Princes and Deputy Rulers. We also extend our sincere
congratulations to H.H. Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Supreme
President of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and
Educational Sciences, as well as to the people of the UAE and all residents of
this cherished homeland.”
His
Excellency Al Qatami added: “Our beloved nation was founded through the great and sincere
efforts of the first generation of founding leaders, led by the late Sheikh
Zayed—may his soul rest in peace—and the late Sheikh Rashid—may his soul rest
in peace. With a visionary and exemplary modern outlook, they placed human
development, dignity, and empowerment at the forefront, advancing the values of
science and knowledge, and strengthening systems of education and medical
research. They believed deeply that progress is the foundation of renaissance
and sustainability. It is from this very legacy that Hamdan Foundation derives
its mission: to support national efforts aimed at elevating the value of
education and enhancing its quality; to advance scientific and medical
research; to nurture talented and innovative individuals; and to develop
educational professionals through programs, initiatives, and strategic
partnerships that bolster the UAE’s leadership in science, health, and
development.”
His Excellency Al
Qatami concluded: “On this cherished occasion, we at Hamdan bin Rashid Al
Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences reaffirm our commitment
to upholding the values of loyalty and belonging to our nation, and to
continuing our efforts to support the country’s progress, empower its future
generations, and strengthen its scientific, medical, and educational capacities
in line with the aspirations of our wise leadership for a more advanced and
prosperous future.”
His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Foundation, stated: “Eid Al Etihad is a deeply rooted national occasion that
reaffirms our pride in the Union’s journey, led by the wisdom of the founding
father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan—may his soul rest in
peace—and his fellow founding leaders. Over the past 54 years, the UAE has
succeeded in building a world-class development model centered on investing
first and foremost in people, and on education and scientific research as the
primary drivers of innovation and progress.”
His
Excellency Al Suwaidi added: “On this occasion, we take pride in reaffirming
the Foundation’s commitment to its pioneering role in supporting international,
regional, and local partnerships that foster educational and medical
initiatives, promote a culture of excellence and creativity, and empower
national talent—ensuring the sustainability of knowledge systems and aligning
with the nation’s vision for an innovative, knowledge-based economy.”
Dr.
Al Suwaidi emphasized that the Foundation’s programs and partnerships enhance
the UAE’s presence in international forums and contribute meaningfully to
advancing educational awareness across many global communities, encouraging
active engagement in providing innovative solutions across sectors and in
shaping a prosperous future.”
Experts call for leveraging artificial intelligence to advance gifted education and strengthen international research collaboration.
Dubai, UAE, 23 October 2025: Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences concluded today the 3rd World Giftedness Center International Conference – On Educating the Gifted in the Era of Prosperous Artificial Intelligence (AI), following four days of scientific discussions and interactive sessions that showcased the latest research and applications in gifted education in the age of artificial intelligence.
The conference brought together more than 5000 experts, researchers, and academics from 75 countries, reaffirming its status as a leading global platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise in gifted education and talent development.
Held under the theme “On Educating the Gifted in the Era of Prosperous Artificial Intelligence (AI)”, the conference featured outstanding case studies on integrating smart technologies into education and examined their impact on human creativity and the nurturing of exceptional minds. The interactive sessions were marked by rich questions and insightful contributions from participants, reflecting a spirit of collaboration and constructive dialogue among specialists from diverse disciplines.
A Platform for Global Dialogue and Shared Vision
The closing sessions presented the main outcomes of the conference discussions, which addressed specialized topics such as integrating AI technologies into educational curricula, fostering creativity in digital learning environments, supporting the mental well-being of gifted learners in smart education contexts, and exploring neuroscience applications in talent education. Participants also reviewed research experiences shared by leading universities and international institutions.
Experts emphasized that the future of gifted education depends on the synergy between technology, human intellect, and individual creativity. They called for empowering teachers through continuous training and access to modern technological tools, enabling them to design stimulating and adaptive learning environments that respond to the unique capacities of gifted learners. The sessions also highlighted the importance of enhancing collaboration between academic institutions and giftedness centers to develop knowledge frameworks that improve the quality of education and research in this field.
In his closing remarks, His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, commended the conference’s success in achieving its scientific and educational objectives. He noted that the in-depth discussions throughout the sessions underscored the need to build dynamic educational systems that keep pace with advances in artificial intelligence and meet the requirements of the future.
His Excellency Al Qatami added that Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation will continue to lead initiatives that connect scientific research with educational practice to develop innovative tools for gifted education and promote academic excellence across the region and the world.
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Foundation, stated that the conference marked the beginning of a new phase of international collaboration in the field of gifted education. He affirmed that the recommendations emerging from the sessions, particularly those focused on integrating AI in gifted education, will be translated into concrete research programs and projects under the World Giftedness Center’s upcoming plans.
Dr. Al Suwaidi also noted that the Foundation will expand its partnerships with international academic institutions to enrich knowledge and exchange expertise in the fields of giftedness and creativity.
The World Giftedness Center and Its Future Role
The World Giftedness Center (WGC) is one of the flagship initiatives of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, dedicated to supporting best practices in gifted education, talent development, and excellence worldwide.
Through its diverse programs, the Center continues to promote a global culture of excellence, including the International Award for School Initiatives in Gifted Education, which honors pioneering schools that adopt innovative programs and projects supporting gifted education from kindergarten to pre-university levels around the world.
Toward a More Innovative and Sustainable Future
At the conclusion of the conference, participants underscored that the future of gifted education lies in reinforcing the harmony between human potential and technological advancement and adopting flexible educational policies that foster cultural diversity and sustainable innovation.
They also praised Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation’s vital role in establishing the UAE as a global hub for knowledge and research in gifted education.
The event concluded with a collective commitment from participating experts and institutions to continue collaboration in developing new scientific initiatives that empower creative generations capable of using artificial intelligence to serve humanity and sustainable development.
Dubai, UAE, 10 October 2025: Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences officially launched the fifth edition of the Future Science Challenge yesterday, Thursday (9 October), across the Arab region. The challenge is one of the Foundation’s flagship educational initiatives aimed at enhancing the scientific research skills and innovative thinking of gifted Arab students in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). This year’s edition is held under the theme “Tourism and Hospitality”, aligning with the UAE’s national AI strategy and the Foundation’s commitment to connecting applied education with key economic sectors.
The Future Science Challenge seeks to empower students with new skills, broaden their knowledge horizons, and encourage them to apply modern technologies to solve real-world challenges through innovative, science-based approaches. The program also aims to foster active student participation in community development through applied projects that promote innovation and sustainability.
The fifth edition centers on developing technological solutions to enhance the tourism and hospitality sectors by improving service quality and promoting sector sustainability. Students will be tasked with using AI and IoT to design enhanced visitor experiences.
Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, stated: “The Future Science Challenge is a model of applied education rooted in student innovation and knowledge expansion. It connects science, economics, and culture within the Arab world. Through its fifth edition, we reaffirm our commitment to providing a scientific platform that enables students to translate theoretical knowledge into practical projects with clear social and economic impact—advancing creativity- and innovation-based education.”
H.E Al Qatami added that the selection of this year’s theme reflects the Foundation’s commitment to aligning the challenge with development opportunities, encouraging students to create solutions that improve quality of life and support sustainability across vital sectors. His Excellency also encouraged participating teams from across the Arab world to seize this opportunity for knowledge exchange, skills development, and cross-border collaboration in support of educational advancement and service to Arab communities.
The competition includes a specialized training program for both students and mentors, equipping them with foundational skills in AI and IoT to develop creative, practical solutions. Final projects will be evaluated by a panel of professors, engineers, and experts in science and technology, based on creativity, impact, and implementation quality. Winning teams will be announced and honored in April 2026.
A Global Platform to Envision the Future of Gifted Education Amid Digital Transformation
Dubai, UAE, 14 October 2025: Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences has announced the organization of the 3rd World Giftedness Center International Conference, to be held virtually from October 20 to 23, 2025, under the theme “Educating the Gifted in the Era of Prosperous Artificial Intelligence”. The event will feature a distinguished lineup of international experts and speakers.
His Excellency Humaid Mohammed Al Qatami, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, emphasized that the conference reflects the Foundation’s steadfast commitment to supporting scientific research and developing evidence-based educational policies. His excellency noted that “gifted education today is becoming increasingly intertwined with technological advancement, which calls on the educational community to harness modern technologies and artificial intelligence to expand the horizons of creativity and innovation among students.”
His Excellency Al Qatami added: “Through this conference, the Foundation seeks to reinforce the UAE’s position as an international knowledge hub for exchanging expertise in gifted education, while contributing to building a generation capable of leading the future with an innovative and responsible mindset.”
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Foundation, explained that this biennial international conference, organized by the World Giftedness Center, aims to highlight the latest developments in the field of gifted education at a time when the global educational landscape is undergoing radical transformation due to the accelerating progress in artificial intelligence and digital technologies. This evolution, he noted, presents new challenges as well as unprecedented opportunities to advance gifted education and nurture future-ready skills.
The conference, which gathers participants from 63 countries, alongside a select group of experts, researchers, and practitioners from 10 countries, seeks to present the latest research and scientific experiences, discuss the potential of integrating AI in designing innovative curricula, and develop pedagogical tools aligned with the needs of a new generation of gifted learners.
The 3rd World Giftedness Center International Conference serves as a leading global platform bringing together experts, researchers, and educators in the field of gifted education to exchange insights and best practices on educational innovation and the effective use of modern technologies to support gifted students.
This year’s conference focuses on several key themes, including the impact of artificial intelligence and digital transformation on gifted education; the development of smarter, more flexible learning environments; innovation in curriculum design, assessment methods, and talent identification; as well as promoting students’ mental health and socio-emotional well-being. It will also address teacher capacity building and the effective integration of AI tools to foster creative learning.
This event forms part of Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote excellence and leadership in gifted education, strengthen international collaboration in developing knowledge- and innovation-driven educational practices, and support investment in human capital for sustainable development.
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