The Mohammed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher has officially launched a new professional development initiative titled “Executive Pioneers of Educational Excellence.” This program, organized in collaboration with the Emirates College for Advanced Education, reflects a strategic partnership focused on equipping a select group of award-winning educators with the tools and vision to drive transformative change in education.
The initiative kicked off in Abu Dhabi with a cohort of distinguished teachers from various countries who previously earned the prestigious Mohammed bin Zayed Award. Their visit to the UAE included an intensive training experience that blends academic development with rich cultural engagement—designed to deepen both their professional insight and personal connection to the values of human-centered education.
According to Dr. Hamad Ahmed Al Darmaki, Secretary-General of the Award, the program is a living embodiment of the UAE leadership’s forward-thinking vision to evolve the education sector by fostering a culture of excellence and innovation. He emphasized that teachers are not only educators but also agents of change, capable of shaping future generations through dynamic, sustainable, and tech-integrated learning environments.
“This program is a strategic move to empower teachers as transformational leaders,” said Dr. Al Darmaki. “We aim to give them the capacity to innovate, to think critically, and to lead with purpose in building impactful, future-ready communities.”
Dr. Mai Laith Al Taie, Director of the Emirates College for Advanced Education, echoed this sentiment, stressing that the UAE views education as an ever-evolving field requiring continuous professional empowerment. She highlighted that this initiative aligns perfectly with the national agenda of lifelong learning, creativity, and scientific research.
“Education today is not just about teaching—it’s about innovation, adaptability, and the smart use of technology, including artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Al Taie. “This program enables top-tier educators to adopt cutting-edge teaching practices that reflect the needs of modern classrooms and dynamic school communities.”
The Executive Pioneers of Educational Excellence program spans four months and is divided into two integrated phases. Each phase focuses on developing specific professional competencies tailored to the real-world challenges faced by educators. By connecting theoretical knowledge with practical application, the initiative ensures that participating teachers can implement their learning directly within their schools and classrooms.
This program serves as a natural extension of the Mohammed bin Zayed Award for Best Teacher’s broader mission—not only to recognize excellence but to build a sustainable platform that empowers educators long after the award ceremony ends. The ultimate goal is to create a ripple effect of improvement across the educational ecosystem in the UAE and the wider Arab region.
With this initiative, the UAE continues to set a benchmark for how countries can meaningfully invest in the future of education—by investing in the educators themselves.
