Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation Showcases Innovative Talent Development Models at WCGTC 2025 in Portugal
The Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences participated in the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children Conference (WCGTC 2025), held in Braga, Portugal, from July 29 to August 2, 2025. The prestigious international event brought together leading experts, academics, and specialists in gifted education from across the globe.
The Foundation’s delegation was led by Dr. Mariam Al Ghawi, Director of the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Giftedness and Innovation. Highlighting the significance of the participation, Dr. Al Ghawi stated that the conference served as a valuable platform to share evidence-based practices, exchange expertise, and strengthen global partnerships aimed at advancing talent development. She emphasized the Foundation’s commitment to aligning its programs with both national and international priorities in innovation and sustainable development, noting that “investing in gifted individuals is an investment in a more prosperous future.”
In the research track, Dr. Zulaikha Mohammed presented a paper titled “Mentoring through Self-Learning: An Analysis Through Mentee’s Feedback on Training Units.” The study assessed the outcomes of the Global Mentorship Program in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine), which connects gifted students with specialized experts worldwide. Findings highlighted the importance of gathering participant feedback to refine content, design new training modules, and enhance targeted support, thereby increasing the relevance and effectiveness of digital self-learning initiatives.
In the applied track, Dr. Al Ghawi delivered a session titled “Cultivating Gifted Students at the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Centre for Giftedness and Innovation.” The session outlined the Centre’s comprehensive model for identifying and nurturing gifted students, which includes talent discovery, mentorship, advanced STEM pathways, and international collaborations with top academic and industrial partners. The approach focuses on developing 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership, while integrating research outcomes into educational policy and practice.
Both presentations demonstrated the Foundation’s integrated approach, where research and applied frameworks work hand in hand to create sustainable, high-quality educational outcomes. The participation reinforced the Foundation’s role as a pioneer in talent development, offering a model that educational institutions worldwide can adapt to enhance their services for gifted learners.
