UAE marks World Teachers’ Day as Dubai grants Golden Visas to educators
In short
Dubai awarded Golden Visas to outstanding educators working in private early childhood centres, schools and higher education institutions, under directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, timed to coincide with World Teachers’ Day on October 5. The initiative, launched on 5 October 2024, has received more than 835 applications and forms part of Dubai’s Education 33 strategy. Ahead of the day, ministers including Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar and Sarah Al Amiri thanked teachers, with Al Awar saying advances in artificial intelligence place new responsibilities on the education system.
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Dubai has awarded Golden Visas to a group of outstanding educators working in private early childhood centres, schools and higher education institutions, in an announcement timed to coincide with World Teachers’ Day celebrations. WAM, the Emirates News Agency, said the awards were made under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. Emirates 24|7 said the initiative covers educators who have demonstrated exceptional performance and made significant contributions to shaping young minds. [ 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]
Emirates 24|7 reported that since its launch on 5 October 2024, the initiative has received applications from more than 835 educators. Candidates are selected through what the outlet described as a comprehensive professional assessment, factoring in academic qualifications, outstanding achievements, contributions to the education sector and wider community, and positive feedback from parents and students. The National reported that hundreds of educators across private schools and universities in Dubai are benefiting, adding that eligibility requires applicants to work in a private educational institution. [ 8 , 9 ]
Both outlets said the scheme forms part of Dubai’s Education 33 (E33) strategy, which aims to attract and retain educators whose expertise enriches students’ learning experiences and strengthens the emirate’s regional and international competitiveness. Emirates 24|7 said the initiative reflects recognition of educators as essential partners in shaping the future of education and a commitment to nurturing talent and investing in human capital. [ 8 , 9 ]
The awards followed tributes from federal ministers ahead of the day itself. Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, thanked teaching staff and academic and administrative professionals across the UAE’s schools and higher education institutions, describing them as key partners in preparing future generations and strengthening the country’s competitiveness in the knowledge economy, Gulf News reported. [ 1 ]
Dr Al Awar also said rapid global advances in artificial intelligence are placing new responsibilities on the education system and its professionals, who he said must continuously develop their capabilities, keep pace with emerging technologies and harness them to enhance the educational process. He said the country’s education system is undergoing significant transformation, bringing schools closer to universities and research centres and aligning higher education outcomes with labour market needs, according to Gulf News. [ 1 ]
Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, said the occasion embodies shared appreciation for a mission that broadens the horizons of societies, that teachers instil confidence, values and a passion for knowledge in students, and that collaboration between teachers and families gives students a solid foundation, The National reported. The National said World Teachers’ Day is celebrated annually on October 5 under the auspices of Unesco. Gulf News also reported that Zayed National Museum celebrated teachers’ role in shaping the UAE’s heritage education; no further details of that event were available beyond the headline. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The awards tie long-term residency in Dubai to performance in private education, which the documents present as a way to attract and retain educators and to support the emirate’s Education 33 strategy and its regional and international competitiveness. Federal ministers framed teachers as partners in preparing future generations and in adapting the education system to artificial intelligence. The documents give no data on the scheme’s effect on teacher retention or school outcomes.
Key facts
- Dubai awarded Golden Visas to outstanding educators in private early childhood centres, schools and higher education institutions, coinciding with World Teachers’ Day. [ 4 , 8 ]
- The awards were made under directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. [ 7 , 8 ]
- The initiative launched on 5 October 2024 and has received applications from more than 835 educators. [ 8 , 9 ]
- Candidates are selected through a professional assessment that considers academic qualifications, outstanding achievements, contributions to the education sector and wider community, and feedback from parents and students. [ 8 , 9 ]
- The scheme forms part of Dubai’s Education 33 (E33) strategy, which aims to attract and retain educators and strengthen the emirate’s competitiveness. [ 8 , 9 ]
- Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said rapid advances in artificial intelligence place new responsibilities on the education system and its professionals. [ 1 ]
- Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, said teachers instil confidence, values and a passion for knowledge in students and that collaboration between teachers and families gives students a solid foundation. [ 2 ]
- Gulf News reported that Zayed National Museum celebrated teachers’ role in shaping the UAE’s heritage education. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- World Teachers’ Day falls on October 5. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Dubai’s Golden Visa initiative for outstanding educators in private educational institutions was carried out under the directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai. [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]
- The initiative has received more than 835 applications since it launched on 5 October 2024. [ 8 , 9 ]
- The scheme forms part of Dubai’s Education 33 (E33) strategy. [ 8 , 9 ]
- UAE ministers publicly thanked teachers and academic professionals, describing them as partners in the country’s development. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- How many educators received Golden Visas in this round. Emirates 24|7 referred to “a select group”, while The National’s summary said “hundreds”; no figure was given by any document.
- Details of the Zayed National Museum event marking teachers’ role in heritage education. Only a Gulf News headline was available, with no article text or summary, so no further detail could be confirmed.
- The full eligibility criteria for the Golden Visa scheme. The Emirates 24|7 article and The National summary were both truncated mid-sentence, so the complete list of requirements is not available in the documents.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Dubai’s Golden Visa initiative for outstanding educators in private educational institutions is launched to coincide with World Teachers’ Day. [ 8 , 9 ]
- Gulf News publishes remarks by Dr Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, thanking teachers ahead of World Teachers’ Day. [ 1 ]
- The National publishes a tribute by Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, marking the occasion. [ 2 ]
- Gulf News reports that Zayed National Museum is celebrating teachers’ role in shaping the UAE’s heritage education. [ 3 ]
- Gulf News reports that Dubai is awarding Golden Visas to outstanding educators. [ 4 ]
- WAM reports that the Golden Visa awards were made under directives of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. [ 7 ]
- Emirates 24|7 reports the assessment criteria and that more than 835 educators have applied since the initiative’s launch. [ 8 ]
- The National reports that hundreds of educators are benefiting and that the scheme forms part of Dubai’s Education 33 strategy. [ 9 ]