UAE President Sheikh Mohamed has launched a new initiative to help empower young leaders and support their work in making the world a better place. The initiative, called the Zayed Education Foundation, will provide a platform for young people to collaborate through education and research. The foundation is named after the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Sheikh Mohamed said, "Inspired by the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed, who believed in uniting humanity through service to others, the launch of the Zayed Education Foundation will empower young leaders to find solutions to challenges affecting millions of people around the world." He added that the UAE is committed to helping talented individuals collaborate globally to improve humanity's future.
One of the foundation's main goals is to support 100,000 promising young people by equipping them with the skills needed to drive progress in the economy, society, and the environment worldwide. The foundation will also create a global network of young leaders, which will reinforce the UAE’s commitment to sustainable development.
The Zayed Scholars program, part of the initiative, will offer merit-based university scholarships along with leadership training. This is designed to help young people not only excel academically but also build leadership skills that will allow them to make a real difference in their communities and beyond.
In addition to scholarships, the foundation will provide grants and funding in the UAE, ensuring talented people can access the resources they need to come up with practical solutions to global problems. The program will also expand to other Arab countries and partner nations in the Global South, with help from universities, governments, and communities.
Sheikha Mariam bint Mohamed, Deputy Chairwoman of the Presidential Court for National Projects, says, “Through the Zayed Education Foundation, we are offering young leaders from around the world the opportunity to shape a more sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future”.
Earlier this month, Sheikh Mohamed met with teachers, administrators, and outstanding students from various schools to celebrate Ramadan. During the meeting, he emphasized the importance of technology, especially artificial intelligence, in improving education. However, he also stressed that talented people are the real force behind the education system’s success and encouraged students, teachers, and school staff to continue their hard work and dedication.
