Sharjah Ruler opens 4th Sharjah Int’l Summit on Education Improvement

Photo: Sharjah Government Media Bureau

His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, officially opened the 4th Sharjah International Summit on Improvement in Education on Sunday morning. The event took place at the Sharjah Education Academy (SEA) in University City, marking an important step in the emirate’s journey towards educational excellence.

During the summit, two significant agreements were signed. The first was between the Sharjah Education Academy and Invest Bank, while the second was between the Sharjah Private Education Authority and Air Arabia. These agreements aim to enhance cooperation and support the continuous development of education in Sharjah.

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A major highlight of the summit was the launch of the Sharjah Private Education Authority’s Strategy 2025–2028. This strategy focuses on improving the quality of education, encouraging innovation, and strengthening academic standards in private schools across the emirate.

The two-day event, themed "Promising Horizons," is jointly organized by the Sharjah Education Academy and the Sharjah Private Education Authority. The summit serves as a platform for experts to discuss modern teaching methods, best practices, and new strategies to enhance learning experiences for students.

Bringing together educators, policymakers, and academic leaders, the summit creates an environment for knowledge sharing and collaboration. Participants exchange ideas, build partnerships, and work towards shaping the future of education in Sharjah.

The opening ceremony began with the UAE national anthem, followed by a speech from Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Education Academy and the Sharjah Private Education Authority. She expressed her gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi for his continuous support in advancing education in the emirate.

Dr. Al Hashimi highlighted Sharjah’s efforts in building a strong and innovative education system. She emphasized three key focus areas that are driving this progress. The first is teacher development, inspired by Finland’s successful education model. The Sharjah Education Academy offers specialized training programs to enhance teachers’ skills, ensuring that students receive high-quality instruction.

The second focus area is early childhood education. Sharjah provides modern nurseries equipped with the latest facilities and expert educators to support young children’s development. The government’s efforts reflect its strong commitment to offering a nurturing and supportive environment for young learners.

The third key area is continuous improvement in education. Taking inspiration from leading educational models in Finland, Singapore, and Australia, Sharjah ensures that learning environments evolve to meet modern educational needs. This approach guarantees that students receive a well-rounded and progressive education from early years to higher education.

Dr. Al Hashimi concluded her speech by reaffirming Sharjah’s commitment to building a strong education system that benefits both students and teachers. She presented key statistics that showcased the emirate’s progress in the education sector. She ended her speech by stating, "Through this International Education Development Summit, we are not only shaping the future but also building an education system that meets the needs of coming generations."

The summit also featured a speech by Tuula Johanna Yrjola, the Ambassador of Finland to the UAE. She praised Sharjah’s dedication to education and highlighted the strong partnership between Sharjah and the University of Helsinki. She pointed out that education is more than just learning facts—it is a way to empower individuals, build communities, and create a strong foundation for future success.

The Finnish Ambassador spoke about Finland’s education system and emphasized the importance of well-trained teachers, continuous professional development, and student well-being. She praised Sharjah for following best practices and maintaining high educational standards.

Another speaker at the event was Dr. Elizabeth Stee, a Senior Lecturer in Education at Harvard University. She shared key ideas on improving education, focusing on three pillars: thinking big, taking small steps, and learning quickly. She encouraged educators to have ambitious goals while making step-by-step improvements to achieve meaningful progress.

The summit’s opening ceremony included a visual presentation titled "Sharjah Through the Eyes of Its Children." It featured the story of Amna Al Shamsi, a student who started her education in a government nursery in Sharjah and later pursued a degree in cybersecurity at the University of Sharjah. This inspiring story reflects the vision of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in supporting students from early childhood to higher education.

Another highlight of the summit was a keynote speech by education expert Gerd Leonhard. He spoke about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, explaining how AI can offer valuable resources and improve learning experiences. He stressed that AI can be a powerful tool in enhancing education when used effectively.

His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah also watched a presentation on the main elements of the Sharjah Private Education Authority’s Strategy 2025–2028. The strategy is built on four priorities: improving the well-being of the education community, ensuring high education quality, encouraging lifelong learning, and making Sharjah a competitive education hub.

A key component of this strategy is the "Sharjah Graduate Profile," which defines the skills, values, and knowledge that students should develop throughout their education. This initiative aims to prepare students for future challenges by equipping them with strong academic and personal skills.

On the sidelines of the summit, His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah oversaw the signing of an important agreement between the Sharjah Education Academy and Invest Bank. The agreement, signed by Khawla Al Hosani, Deputy Director of the Sharjah Education Academy, and Idris Al Rafi, CEO of Invest Bank, will provide 187 scholarships for early childhood education certification programs. This initiative highlights the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing early education in Sharjah.

Another agreement was signed between the Sharjah Private Education Authority and Air Arabia. Signed by Ali Al Hosani, Director General of the Authority, and Adel Abdullah Ali, CEO of Air Arabia Group, this partnership is part of the "Stand for Teachers" initiative. It provides educators with exclusive benefits, such as discounted travel tickets, to support their well-being and professional growth.

The 4th Sharjah International Summit on Improvement in Education focuses on building future-ready education systems. By bringing together experts from leading universities, research centers, and academic institutions worldwide, the event promotes discussions on modern education, technology, equality, and sustainability.

This year’s summit also introduced 13 specialized workshops before its official opening. These workshops featured top education experts who shared insights on improving teaching techniques and learning outcomes. Topics included new technologies, effective professional development strategies, and innovative teaching practices.

The summit’s opening ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Her Excellency Hajer Ahmed Al Thehli, Secretary-General of the Council for Education, Human Development, and Society; Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Head of the Protocol and Hospitality Department; Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Education Academy and the Sharjah Private Education Authority; Tuula Johanna Yrjola, Ambassador of Finland to the UAE, along with many educators, policymakers, and academic leaders.

The event successfully set the stage for future discussions and collaborations, reaffirming Sharjah’s position as a leader in educational excellence. Through ongoing efforts and strategic partnerships, the emirate continues to work towards a brighter and more innovative future for education.