“No matter how many buildings, foundations, schools and hospitals we build, or how many bridges we raise, all these are material entities. The real spirit behind progress is the human spirit, the able man with his intellect and capabilities,” said the great founder of our nation the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Education is the foundation of all great societies, and investing in the intellectual evolution of a nation is crucial to the success and sustainability of its society.

This is why Abu Dhabi is embarking on a critical journey of education transformation that will lay the foundation for a society that is in constant pursuit of knowledge, self-improvement, and intellectual development. Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has been established by our forward-thinking leaders who have identified education as a fundamental pillar of our nation’s economic and social development.

As a young country, we have shown truly amazing social and economic progress in the last 38 years. However we live in a different and fast-changing world. In order to be at the forefront of global innovation and development, we must have an education system that can support a community of life-long learners and innovators.

At the core of our education reform is the goal to develop students with strong problem-solving and analytical abilities and to equip them with the skills that they need to succeed in their higher education and future careers. Our graduates should be independent thinkers with the ability to create, innovate, and support the economic and social progression of Abu Dhabi. We are working to provide an education system that maximizes student potential, and provides equal access to quality education by treating all individuals of our society as capable learners.

I am proud to say that ADEC has some of the most experienced and qualified educational advisors and professionals driving this effort. We have invested enormous time and resources to develop strategies and initiatives that are grounded in a solid research-based approach to ensure that the educational framework we put in place is comprehensive, lasting, and effective.

Our goals are ambitious. We recognize that we have a long way to go in a short period of time if we want Abu Dhabi to take its place as a leader on the world stage and if we want our citizens and residents to have the necessary skills to compete in an international marketplace. As educational development progresses, we will learn to embrace new ideas and develop new skills, but we will also remember that preserving and celebrating our culture and heritage are a vital and integral component to our future success.

Achieving educational excellence is a collaborative effort. We need to make big changes to confront big challenges, and we cannot do this without the support of the Abu Dhabi community. The changes that we make today will set the foundation for the future careers of our young people and drive the success of our economy. We look forward to working together with the Abu Dhabi community in putting Education First, for the future of our children, and for the future of a greater Abu Dhabi.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili

Director General