Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation and UAE University Welcome New Students to Educational Innovation Programme
The Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, in collaboration with the College of Education at United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), has welcomed a new cohort of students to the Master of Educational Innovation programme.
An orientation session for the new students was held on Saturday, 29 August, at the Foundation's headquarters in Dubai. The session forms part of the institutions' ongoing partnership to strengthen the capabilities of education professionals and promote innovation in teaching and school leadership.
The programme is supported by 10 scholarships provided by the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.
Focus on innovation in education
Dr. Khalifa Al Suwaidi, Executive Director of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, said the programme provides an important platform for investing in education professionals and connecting academic knowledge with practical applications.
He highlighted the partnership's focus on helping teachers and school leaders develop effective solutions to challenges facing the education sector while promoting innovation and continuous improvement.
Professor Ahmad Qablan, Programme Coordinator and Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at UAEU's College of Education, said the programme goes beyond theoretical learning by enabling students to apply their knowledge to teaching and leadership practices.
The programme aims to strengthen critical thinking, research and innovative problem-solving skills, preparing educators and school leaders to respond effectively to changes across the education sector.
Two specialisations offered
The Master of Educational Innovation programme offers two specialisations:
- Innovation in Teaching
- Innovation in School Leadership
The programme consists of 30 credit hours across 10 courses and is delivered in Arabic through face-to-face classes, typically scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.
Students are introduced to innovative approaches to teaching and educational leadership, with particular emphasis on research, critical thinking and problem-solving. The programme also connects academic learning with practical and field-based applications.
New students hear from previous cohort
During the orientation, Professor Qablan provided an overview of the programme's academic structure, specialisations and requirements.
Mariam Al Mazrouei, a student from the previous cohort, also shared her experience of studying in the programme. The session concluded with an open discussion and question-and-answer session, giving new students an opportunity to clarify aspects of the programme.
10 scholarships support education professionals
As part of its efforts to develop education professionals, the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation is providing 10 scholarships for students in the current programme in collaboration with UAEU's College of Education.
The scholarships are intended to support eligible education professionals pursuing advanced study and developing the knowledge and capabilities needed to contribute to educational innovation.
The continued delivery of the programme reflects the two institutions' efforts to strengthen the education sector by equipping teachers and school leaders with practical knowledge and innovative approaches.
Through the partnership, the Foundation and UAEU aim to support educators in responding to emerging challenges and future needs while contributing to the continued development of teaching and educational leadership practices.
