Dubai Media Office Hosts 'Meet the CEO' with KHDA Director General

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Her Excellency Aisha Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), has reaffirmed the organization's unwavering commitment to ensuring that schools and educational institutions across Dubai deliver the highest standards of education. This commitment, she emphasized, is fully aligned with the leadership's vision for Dubai to become a global leader in education and learning.

During a recent 'Meet the CEO' event, organized by the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO), Her Excellency engaged in an in-depth discussion with editors-in-chief of UAE media outlets. In her remarks, she reiterated KHDA's dedication to maintaining and enhancing the quality of education provided by Dubai's private schools. She underscored the importance of ongoing efforts such as the annual school inspections, which are a critical part of ensuring that educational institutions meet the Authority's stringent quality benchmarks. In a candid disclosure, Miran noted that three schools were closed at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year for failing to meet these standards, highlighting that the wellbeing and safety of students remain KHDA's top priorities.

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The 'Meet the CEO' event, a regular series hosted by GDMO, provides a platform for leaders of prominent Dubai organizations to engage directly with the media. The session was also attended by Her Excellency Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, and Director General of GDMO, along with a select group of local media leaders and editors-in-chief of UAE newspapers. The timing of the event was particularly significant, as it took place just days into the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. The discussion served as a comprehensive overview of the current state of Dubai's education sector, which plays a vital role in shaping the emirate's future generations.

During the meeting, Miran provided insights into the meticulous preparations undertaken for the current academic year, which began as early as January. She highlighted that the KHDA engaged in a robust consultative process, involving more than 50 sessions with over 700 participants, including representatives from 290 educational institutions. The objective of these sessions was to gather valuable feedback from parents, educators, and other stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of developing an educational model that is both effective and responsive to the needs of Dubai's rapidly growing community.

When asked about the unique characteristics of Dubai's education sector, particularly in the context of private education institutions, Miran identified three key pillars: diversity, flexibility, and high quality. She noted that Dubai is home to 223 private schools, serving over 365,000 students and offering 17 different curricula. This diversity, she explained, is a testament to the sector's ability to cater to the diverse needs of the emirate's multicultural population. The sector continues to expand, with six new schools opening in the current academic year, reflecting the growing demand for quality education in Dubai.

Miran also shed light on the significant growth and diversity within Dubai's early childhood education sector. The emirate currently has 285 early childhood centers, offering 17 different curricula and educational programs. The 2024-2025 academic year will see the opening of 29 new centers, including the first to offer the Chinese curriculum, adding 2,838 new enrollment slots. This expansion, she noted, is in response to the increasing demand for early childhood education and the need to provide diverse educational options for families in Dubai.

The discussion also touched upon the higher education landscape in Dubai, which continues to evolve and expand. Miran noted that Dubai is home to 38 licensed higher education institutions, serving nearly 35,000 students and offering over 650 academic programs. Four new higher education institutions are set to open this year, further enhancing the sector's offerings. KHDA remains committed to attracting institutions that bring innovative content and effective teaching methods to Dubai, she added.

As the conversation progressed, Miran outlined the KHDA's main priorities for the new academic year. "Our focus will be on growth, enhancing Dubai’s reputation as a top global destination for high-quality education while offering diverse options for parents," she said. She pointed to significant enrollment increases over the past two years, with a 16% rise in early childhood centers, a 12% increase in school and higher education enrollments, and a 25% growth in the number of international students.

Miran also emphasized the KHDA's role in supporting broader government initiatives, such as the Dubai Social Agenda and the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. She highlighted the launch of 39 new educational institutions, including six private schools, 29 early childhood centers, and four international universities, one of which is the first Chinese university to be established in Dubai as part of a UAE-China partnership.

The KHDA is also focused on enhancing educational opportunities for high-achieving Emirati students, Miran said. She highlighted the Dubai Distinguished Students Program, which will provide over 400 scholarships covering 50% of tuition fees at top schools for exceptional Emirati students in the 2024-2025 academic year. Several private schools have already joined the program, reflecting the sector's commitment to supporting the academic success of Emirati students.

In closing, Miran spoke about the KHDA's ongoing efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the education sector. She noted that the Authority's quality assurance system has been instrumental in driving improvements across schools in Dubai. The KHDA will continue to support schools in need of development, monitor their improvement plans, and focus on schools with large numbers of Emirati students. Additionally, the Authority will assess the quality of inclusive education and the overall academic atmosphere in schools, with the aim of exceeding expectations and raising educational standards even further.

Miran also highlighted the KHDA’s commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of students and educators, stressing the importance of creating a supportive learning environment that benefits the entire educational community. She concluded by reaffirming the KHDA’s dedication to improving the experiences of students and educators, as well as enhancing government services for the student community and parents in Dubai, all while maintaining the highest standards of educational performance.