Abu Dhabi:The inaugural Emirati Education Forum 2026 opened today at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi, uniting ministers, officials, policymakers, experts, academics, educators, and representatives of educational institutions to deliberate the future of education in the UAE.
According to Wam, the forum was organized by the Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR) in collaboration with national educational institutions, under the theme "Five Pillars of Education Toward an Integrated Education Ecosystem". The event featured an extensive program of four dialogue sessions, two plenary sessions, eight parallel sessions, and an "In 7 Minutes" segment.
A central focus of the discussions was the National Education Charter and strategies to implement its objectives into educational practices. The forum aimed to enhance cooperation among various components of the education system to improve the learning experience for Emirati students and prepare them for future demands.
Dr. Sultan Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, Director-General of the ECSSR, emphasized in his opening address that the forum is a national platform designed to strengthen cooperation within the education system. He highlighted the importance of examining the current state of education, its challenges, and its future prospects.
The forum included a session titled "The National Education Charter From Vision to Practice - How Can the Five Pillars of Education Work Together?" where Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of Education, underscored the necessity for the education system to adapt to technological advancements and changing labor market needs by fostering lifelong learning and developing critical thinking skills among students.
In another session, Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the National Media Authority, addressed the influence of media on education, highlighting the challenges posed by students' increasing screen time and the role of technology in education.
Further discussions focused on creating an integrated national framework linking education with national service and the labor market, as advocated by Dr. Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs. He stressed the importance of lifelong learning and developing critical thinking to meet future requirements.
The forum concluded with dialogues emphasizing the need for cooperation among educational institutions, families, communities, and policymakers to advance efforts in preparing Emirati learners for future challenges.