ECAE to host 4th Education First Forum in Abu Dhabi on 5 October
In short
Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE) is organising the 4th Education First Forum on 5 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Hall 5, under the theme “From Impact to Ecosystem”. The forum is held in conjunction with World Teachers’ Day and is expected to bring together around 500 participants, including national leaders, teachers, educators, researchers, policymakers and families. ECAE Vice Chancellor Dr May Laith Al Taee said the edition reflects a national vision that treats education as the cornerstone of a prosperous and sustainable future for the UAE.
Why it matters
The forum is an official UAE education-sector gathering that puts teachers, policymakers and researchers in one room, and its stated focus links education with artificial intelligence, human capital and societal wellbeing. Its stated alignment with the UAE Year of Family places it inside a current national policy theme. All three documents are announcements of the event rather than reporting on outcomes, so the practical results will only be visible after it takes place.
Key facts
- ECAE is organising the 4th Education First Forum on 5 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Hall 5. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The theme of the fourth edition is “From Impact to Ecosystem”. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The forum is held in conjunction with World Teachers’ Day, which WAM said is celebrated annually on 5 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- About 500 participants and delegates are expected, including national leaders, teachers, educators, researchers, policymakers, decision-makers, families and community members. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The forum is aligned with the objectives of the UAE Year of Family. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The previous edition focused on impact, innovation and inclusive education. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- ECAE Vice Chancellor Dr May Laith Al Taee said education is the cornerstone of a prosperous and sustainable future for the UAE. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Emirates College for Advanced Education is organising the 4th Education First Forum on 5 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Hall 5. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The fourth edition is held under the theme “From Impact to Ecosystem” and in conjunction with World Teachers’ Day. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Around 500 participants and delegates are expected, including national leaders, teachers, educators, researchers, policymakers, decision-makers, families and community members. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The forum is in alignment with the objectives of the UAE Year of Family and follows a previous edition focused on impact, innovation and inclusive education. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- ECAE Vice Chancellor Dr May Laith Al Taee is quoted on the forum, saying the learning journey begins at home and extends to schools and the wider community. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The forum’s agenda, speaker list and whether it is open to the public are not stated. The documents give only the date, venue, theme, expected participant figures and the organiser’s framing.
- Whether Dr May Laith Al Taee’s remarks were longer than the published excerpt is unknown. In all three documents her quote is cut off mid-sentence at the same point.
- No source beyond the organisers’ announcement is cited for the participant figure or the event programme. All three documents carry the same announcement text, so the details rest on a single originating source.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Abu Dhabi Media Office publishes the announcement of the 4th Education First Forum, scheduled for 5 October 2026 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, Hall 5. [ 1 ]
- Aletihad (English) publishes the same announcement, datelined Abu Dhabi. [ 2 ]
- WAM publishes its report, noting that World Teachers’ Day is celebrated annually on 5 October. [ 3 ]