2 months ago
Gulf Insider’s Bahrain Education Awards has returned for the fourth time. This first-of-its-kind annual initiative celebrates remarkable stories of innovation across the Kingdom’s education space. The Awards, under the umbrella of Gulf Insider’s Education_BH: Innovation and Excellence campaign, recognise institutions and educators who are pushing boundaries, experimenting with new approaches, and putting the needs of learners at the centre of everything they do. Since its first instalment in 2022, the campaign has created a vital platform where stakeholders in the education space can connect, learn, and share best practices whilst receiving recognition for their relentless efforts. How it works: The initiative serves as a meeting ground for educators to exchange ideas and showcase innovations, whilst helping parents and teachers stay informed about the exciting developments happening across the Kingdom’s education landscape. The initiative recognises that true educational innovation isn’t just about adopting the latest technology or following the newest pedagogical trend. It’s about understanding that each learner is unique, that context matters enormously, and that the best education prepares people not just for the jobs of today, but for challenges we can’t yet imagine. Frequently asked: What counts as Educational Innovation? The main idea behind this initiative is to highlight […]
3 months ago
The 2025–2026 academic year in the UAE brings a series of major updates announced by the Ministry of Education, aimed at enhancing the quality of the education system, balancing learning with family life, keeping pace with global changes, and strengthening national identity from early stages. Among the most significant of these updates is the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a subject within the public school system. The Ministry of Education has announced the introduction of Artificial Intelligence as a formal subject, to be integrated into the national curriculum across public schools from kindergarten through Grade 12, starting in the 2025–2026 academic year. The new curriculum is designed to introduce students to AI concepts and their practical applications, while also raising awareness of its ethical dimensions. The aim is to prepare a generation equipped with the tools and skills of the future. The curriculum covers seven key domains: fundamental concepts, data and algorithms, software, ethical awareness, real-world applications, innovation and project design, and policies and community engagement. Teaching approach The Ministry confirmed that the new subject will not require additional class hours, as it will be integrated into the existing “Computing, Creative Design, and Innovation” course, and taught by the […]
4 months ago
Saudi Arabia will roll out a comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) curriculum across all levels of public education beginning in the 2025–2026 academic year. The initiative, led by the National Curriculum Center in partnership with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA), represents a major step in embedding AI literacy into the Kingdom’s educational framework. The curriculum, which aligns with the goals of the Human Capability Development Program under Vision 2030, is designed to empower students from early education through higher learning with essential digital competencies and AI fluency. It aims to nurture a generation capable of driving innovation and positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in emerging technologies. Students will be introduced to age-appropriate AI concepts through interactive and practical learning modules, ensuring continuity and progression throughout the educational journey, from primary school to vocational and university tracks, and into lifelong learning. AI learning outcomes will be formally incorporated into the national student performance assessment system. The new curriculum will instil core technical skills while fostering critical thinking and ethical understanding of AI. The announcement follows the successful pilot of an “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” course for […]
4 months ago
In a first for Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom will build 166 “schools without walls” as part of a nationwide initiative to promote community education beyond the classroom. The project, unveiled by Tatweer Building Company (TBC), the Ministry of Education’s infrastructure arm, signals a shift toward using educational spaces as community hubs after regular school hours. The schools will be constructed in residential communities developed by the National Housing Company (NHC), known as NHC destinations, in six major urban cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Al Ihsa, Tabuk, and Medina. Designed with a contemporary architectural vision, the facilities will serve as venues for educational, cultural, and recreational activities for residents during evenings and weekends. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of schools as vital anchors for lifelong learning and hubs for social engagement within local communities. The schools will feature modern, open designs tailored to the character of urban neighbourhoods, with shared spaces that foster connection between the campus and its surrounding environment. Each facility will be integrated into community centres within the residential developments, reinforcing their role as accessible, inclusive gathering places beyond traditional school hours. NHC destinations, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to improve quality of life, are known […]
7 months ago
Saudi Arabia has launched a new high school course titled “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence” as part of its efforts to localise AI education and build a digitally skilled generation. The initiative was announced by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) in partnership with the Ministry of Education during the Human Capability Initiative 2025 conference, a high-level forum that brought together more than 300 global leaders, policymakers, and experts across academia, the private sector, and non-profit organisations. The course, targeting 12th-grade students in the general track, is being introduced as an elective and is designed to align with global technological trends while offering students foundational knowledge in AI and its real-world applications. More than 50,000 students across the Kingdom are expected to benefit from the first phase of the programme. Delivered through a custom-built digital platform, the course offers an interactive learning experience that blends multimedia content, teacher supervision, and project-based assessments throughout the academic year. SDAIA said the platform reflects a modern teaching model that places equal emphasis on theoretical understanding and practical engagement. “This initiative represents a key step toward empowering the next generation with the tools and skills they need to thrive in the data-driven economies […]
12 months ago
The National Space Science Agency (NSSA) has taken a bold step in advancing Bahrain’s space science education by partnering with U.S.-based BRS-Labs. Announced during the second day of the Bahrain International Airshow 2024, the agreement brings specialized online courses in space science to young Bahraini students, underscoring Bahrain’s commitment to cultivating high-tech skills for future generations. The partnership, formalizing a collaboration established in 2023, offers over 100 free seats for Bahraini students aged 12 to 16 in online training programs beginning in the summer of 2025. Through this initiative, 30 selected students will engage in theoretical and practical training, including remote sensing and satellite image analysis, with access to Hexagon’s advanced software. Successful participants will receive professional certification, further enhancing their prospects in STEM fields. Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Aseeri, CEO of NSSA, emphasized the partnership’s importance for Bahrain’s strategic goals in STEM. “This agreement will significantly encourage talented Bahraini students to focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, strengthening Bahrain’s role in future sciences,” he said, aligning the program with the national vision of His Majesty the King to make Bahrain a leader in space science. Mr. Ayman Salem, Executive Director of BRS-Labs, expressed pride in the collaboration, thanking Hexagon’s […]
12 months ago
The Saudi Music Commission has launched an interactive digital platform to teach music to enthusiasts wanting to start playing an instrument or further their musical knowledge. MusiqAI is the first self-learn digital platform for music in Saudi Arabia and the Arab region. It offers interactive programs to the public and teaches skills for playing Arabic and Western instruments. The platform name, which includes “AI,” the abbreviation for artificial intelligence, can be translated from Arabic as “My Music.” The commission said in a statement that MusiqAI offers online courses and trains enthusiasts and professionals on the latest technologies in music production. It also provides accredited certificates, easy access to video streaming courses, and a self-paced learning experience, anytime and from anywhere. MusiqAI aims to offer a unique way of learning various music genres — in Saudi Arabia and globally — whether by picking an Arabic or Western instrument such as the drums, guitar or oud, and communicating with trainers and experts on the platform. The commission said nurturing and supporting musical talent are part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. In March, the commission launched the Saudi Music Memory initiative to highlight the history of Saudi art and offer academically documented research for […]
12 months ago
The Ras Al Khaimah Department of Knowledge (RAK DOK) has introduced a Golden Visa programme for educators in private schools across the emirate, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM). The initiative enables educators who meet specific requirements to obtain long-term UAE residency through self-sponsorship. Ras Al Khaimah education boost The programme targets school principals, teachers and education leaders in Ras Al Khaimah’s schools. Dr. Abdulrahman Al Naqbi, RAK DOK Board Member said: “This initiative recognises the critical role that educators play in improving the quality of education for all students in Ras Al Khaimah. The programme acknowledges the invaluable contributions of teachers and is consistent with our overarching objective of establishing a world-class education system in Ras Al Khaimah. “By qualifying top educators for long-term residency, we reaffirm our dedication to nurturing a robust educational environment that fosters talent and innovation, further enhancing our educational offerings and ensuring the continued success of our students.” The programme covers two categories: ‘School Leaders’ – including principals, vice principals and school directors – and ‘Teachers’ who work in the emirate’s private schools. RAK DOK, which regulates private education in the emirate, has established criteria for applicants. These include three years minimum residency […]
1 year ago
King Abdulaziz University, represented by the Faculty of Maritime Studies, opened admission to female students for the first time in maritime specializations. The university has established an agency for female student affairs at the faculty. This is in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to qualify Saudi women to practice new professions and expand the scope of studies and research in this field. This is also aimed to enhance the growth and development of the maritime transport industry and logistics services in the Kingdom. Dr. Faisal Al-Dhaibani, dean of the faculty, said that investment in the capabilities of Saudi women in the maritime transport sector has been expanded, and general efficiency has been increased to achieve sustainability. The strategy of the Faculty of Maritime Studies provides globally recognized education and training in the field of surveying and maritime transport to qualify Saudi human resources and develop the national economy. Al-Dhaibani said that the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 has given priority to activities leading to increasing women’s representation in various businesses, including maritime transport, in recognition of the need to develop women’s participation in the maritime industry in order to bridge the gap within the workforce and in line with the global […]
1 year ago
A learner’s passport will now be issued to every newborn in Dubai to track their educational journey and help parents make informed decisions about their children’s education, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) announced on Wednesday during the presentation of ‘Education Strategy 2033‘. The system will be implemented in collaboration with Dubai Health Authority. KHDA director-general, Aisha Miran, said: “The Learning Passport aims to guarantee every child’s right to education. It will register children of mandatory school age and monitor them to ensure they enrol in schools, ensuring no child is deprived of education. The system will identify children of compulsory education age who have not yet enrolled in school, prompting immediate action to guarantee their education.” Miran further explained: “The Learning Passport is primarily aimed at ensuring every child’s right to education; we want to know about all the children in Dubai to ensure they are enrolled in the educational system.” “When a child is born, they are entered into the system so that we clearly understand the educational stages available. And we provide information about the nurseries available,” she added. Miran noted the enrolment rate of Emirati children in early childhood centres is below the global average, […]
3 hours ago
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